What is the fear of man? It might not be such a familiar term outside of the Bible, but the Bible talks about it a lot. For example in Proverbs 19:25, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” It is not a fear of man as in gender but more as in mankind. You could define it as a fear of others’ disapproval. The fear of man can immobilize us when we should take action, and make us silent when we should speak up. I think I experience it daily. In the small things like getting too many unhealthy groceries and having to look the cashier in the eye to the big things, or even doing a Bible school while everyone else is getting a job with a good salary.
When reading the book of Isaiah the theme of the fear of man is woven through the book. Isaiah speaks to the Israelites who lived in Judah, the Southern Kingdom, over a period of roughly 60 years. A time wherein the nation was threatened by big world powers, the biggest of which was Assyria. Repeatedly, nations would destroy everything in their path, leaving people devastated. Cities were burned down, people were murdered and taken into exile. Isaiah is prophesying to these people. He is warning them. Judah lived a life of idolatry and evil, they had forgotten about their God and only practice limited Jewish religious rituals. They oppressed the poor and the innocent, they were fixated on drinking their wine and enjoying their riches, they loved injustice and evil. They had become like their sinful neighbors, the surrounding nations.
Isaiah loved his nation and went around prophesying. He told the people that God had given them so much. He had given them the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. He protected them, build a wall around them. Isaiah explained that like a beautiful vineyard God had planted them on a very fertile hill, he had removed the stones and dug the ground, he planted it with the best seeds and built a watchtower to protect the vineyard. But the vineyard yielded little fruit, and instead of domesticated grapes it yielded wild grapes, grapes that were smaller and less sweet. Judah didn’t use God’s gifts for good, but for evil. They forgot their Maker, the one who had given them everything.
Judah and its kings now have to make a choice. Two different times in the book of Isaiah (ch. 7-8 and 36-39) the kings of Judah are under attack. Mighty armies are besieging the capital of the land, the city of Jerusalem. Both times Isaiah visits the kings of Jerusalem and tells them that they should not be afraid. The LORD will defend his city, the city of David. This would have gone against everything society would have told them to do. This would have gone against their own instincts for survival. The kings of Judah, Ahaz and Hezekiah, both respond differently. King Hezekiah responds with trust in God. When Assyria besieges Jerusalem, Hezekiah prays to God and an angel strikes the Assyrians in the night. However, King Ahaz, the king before Hezekiah, does not believe God will save Jerusalem. He doesn't even want to ask Him for a sign but instead trusts in his alliance with Egypt. He tried to defend the city with his own techniques and ideas, fortifying the city and making an alliance with a powerful nation.
The Lord stripped away the defenses of Judah, and you looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest. You saw that the walls of the City of David were broken through in many places; you stored up water in the Lower Pool. You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall. You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.
(Isaiah 22:8-11)
In his writings, the prophet Isaiah calls on his people to trust in God, to turn and recognize that He is the one who gave them everything they need. He loves them like a father loves his child, like a husband loves his wife. That He is with them. But we know how the story ends. Judah ends up going into exile, only returning to their homes 70 years later.
This all sounds like Judah was being completely oblivious and often when I am reading the Old Testament it frustrates me that they kept making the wrong choices. When we read the stories in the Old Testament we have the big perspective. We have read the New Testament, we know their future. How could they not have seen it?
But imagine being in Jerusalem during such a horrible time, struck with fear when you hear that yet another soldier has been executed. They were even eating their own poop and drinking their own urine (36:12). Would you say that God would save the city? Would you remain calm and wait for God to answer while the enemy promises you nice food and wine if you would only surrender? I wouldn’t. Just like so many times I underestimate God. Just like so many times I am afraid of man. Afraid of making the choice that goes against everything people tell me to do. It feels like I'm putting myself at great risk with no security if all goes wrong.
Now we live in a completely different time, without war, and with Jesus, who has taken the judgment of God on his shoulders. But we are still called to trust God. We are still called to trust our Father, our Maker, our Teacher and our Creator. Just like Judah was planted on a fertile hill, so are we. We have been given so much that we can work with. Just like Israel was meant to be a blessing to the entire earth, we are called to be a blessing to the people around us. Even if we have to take risks. We have to trust God with our finances, our relationship, our job, our family, politics and future. People can be scary. They can be like the thundering of the sea. They can be overwhelming and hard to go against. It is hard to be seen as a fool. But for God this is like dust whirling before the storm (17:12-13). Tiny. God isn't afraid of man, so then, why are we?
For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
(Isaiah 30:19-21)
God will be close to guide us. Now it is our turn to trust Him, to take a leap of faith.
These posts are about what I'm learning in my School of Biblical Studies and reflect my personal opinion. I invite you into the conversation. Let's talk about the Bible!