The fundamental reason God commands us to observe the Feast of Tabernacles is to rejoice within the context of learning to fear Him always. God desires us to enjoy this time that He has set apart, brightening our faces and lifting our spirits after a troublesome year, providing us great joy. However, this rejoicing is not merely for the sake of fun but is tied to learning to fear God.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of fearing God as a vital motivator for overcoming sin and achieving His purpose for us. This fear is not merely a natural emotion but a quality that must be learned, as it differs from the fears we typically experience in life. God desires us to fear Him, not to distance us, but to instill a profound reverence that complements our love for Him. Scriptures like Psalm 2:11 and Philippians 2:12 urge us to serve the Lord with fear and to work out our salvation with trembling, highlighting that this fear is essential even within a loving relationship with Him. This godly fear is nurtured through an awareness of God's supreme nature and creative power, fostering a deep desire never to sin again and to be like Him. It encompasses a range of emotions, from mild apprehension to outright terror, ensuring we never wish to dishonor Him or destroy the relationship He has graciously established with us. Thus, the fear of God instills a strong sense of obligation, humble appreciation, and gratitude for His attention to us, driving us to live in harmony with His purpose and to avoid the separation that sin creates.

The fear of God is a powerful force that draws us toward Him, contrary to how we often flee from our fears. This fear is beneficial, fostering unity among those who respect His Word. Those who trembled at His command, like the 120 who waited in Jerusalem as Jesus Christ instructed, demonstrated commitment by setting aside personal plans to obey Him. Their reverence led to a profound effect, aligning them with His will and allowing His glory to dwell within them as the Temple. Conversely, a lack of fear causes people to drift away from Him. Ananias and Sapphira, driven by a desire for human praise, feared men more than God, leading to deception and hypocrisy. Their attempt to appear generous while withholding the truth showed a disregard for His right to honesty, resulting in severe judgment. Their sin, akin to that of Nadab and Abihu, revealed that the God of the New Testament is no different in His holiness from the God of the Old Testament. Great fear came upon the church after their judgment, jolting it out of complacency and prompting self-reflection among the brethren. The fear of God is not a weakness but a vital quality, the key to the treasures of His Kingdom. It is not to be cast aside as immature but works in harmony with love, buttressing its expression. As stated in Proverbs, the fear of the Lord is synonymous with hating evil, serving as the first line of defense against sin. Without this fear, sin persists because we fail to hate evil as He does. If satan had feared God, he would not have rebelled, and similarly, our lack of fear leads us to foolish actions. This fear does not hinder love but enhances it, drawing us closer to Him by motivating us to be on our best behavior, just as we strive to please a loved one. It protects us from actions that could damage our relationship with Him, preventing sin's destructive power. God respects those who respect Him, looking to bless those who tremble at His Word. Though His judgment is not always immediate, as seen in varying responses to sin across time, it is always sure. He patiently works with us, considering our spiritual weaknesses, yet the terror of the Lord remains a necessary awareness, as Paul emphasized, to persuade us toward righteousness. Faith and the fear of God are intertwined, each strengthening the other. The fear of the Lord makes faith operational, and using faith increases this fear. Together, they guide us toward holiness, aligning our conduct with His will, ensuring we grow into His image through a balanced relationship of reverence and love.