Bible Reading Blog
“Fear”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Exodus 1
Both Pharaoh and the midwives found themselves in compromising circumstances. As Israel grew, Pharaoh looked at them with uncertainty. Would they turn against him at some point? How could he manage this threat and establish his power? In fear, he chose to subject them to slavery—a strategic move to satisfy his fearful imagination. However, his plan backfired, and the people only multiplied, causing even more fear among the Egyptians (Exodus 1.12).
As his fear increased, he commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill the baby boys. Would they obey the king and kill their own people? What would happen if they didn’t? In a display of courage, they chose to disobey and preserve the life of the innocent. We’re told they also acted out of fear (Exodus 1.17)— not of Pharaoh but of the LORD. Despite years of slavery, they had not forgotten the promise of YHWH and his power in the beginning. In fear, they let the male children live. “So God dealt well with the midwives” (Exodus 1.20).
Fear is a powerful motivator and can even be righteous if it is properly placed. The problem is we often fear the wrong things. We fear corrupt people with power. We fear situations we cannot control and consequences we don’t want to bear. We fear the future and its unknowns. We fear all the things except the One who made all things. It is interesting the one in ‘power’ (Pharaoh) is the most fearful while the midwives are not. That’s because he had the most to lose. Pharaoh had positioned himself in pride and decided in his heart that things must go his way or else. This is a sure way to fail; but worse it is a terrible way to live. You must always look over your shoulder in fear of someone stronger.
Fear has an impact on each of us; but is it creating the proper result? Think specifically about fear’s impact on this political season. We will see men and women flaunting power to position themselves in the eyes of the masses. But it is the wrong fear driving many of them. We must not get caught up in the narratives they pitch. The psalm will prove true: “The nations rage, the people’s plot in vain, the kings of earth set themselves together against the Lord and his anointed… and the Lord sits in the heavens and laughs” (Psalm 2). Regardless of who is in office, Jesus is still king and we must fear him. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10.28). What this means practically is we must not allow the present to dictate our morality, our activity or our thinking. “The kingdoms of earth pass away one by one but the kingdom of heaven remains.” If we fear our Maker, we must not fear anyone else. Do not be moved by circumstances or people but learn to “confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13.6)
