THE FEAR OF YAH
Series: Values of the Elect — Value #1
Author: Kingdom of the Elect Ministry
"The fear of YAH is the beginning of knowledge."— Proverbs 1:7 (ISV)
There is no true walk with YAH without fear — not symbolic fear, not casual respect, but holy dread, trembling awe, and obedience born from knowing His power, His judgment, and His sovereignty.
Modern religion has attempted to soften YAH — turning the consuming fire into a gentle candle. But Scripture does not allow this. The fear of YAH is the foundation of holiness, obedience, and covenant relationship.
Those who truly know Him tremble.
What is the Fear of YAH?
The Fear of YAH is:
- Reverence & awe
- Trembling at His holiness
- Obedience to His commands
- Hatred of sin
- Awareness of judgment
- Full submission to His authority
The Fear of YAH is not:
- Casual "respect"
- Mere religion
- Emotional reverence without obedience
- Man-made comfort theology
The fear of YAH produces obedience.
Obedience brings life.
Scriptural Examples — YAH Enforces His Holiness
Nadab & Abihu — Fire From YAH
Leviticus 10:1–3 (ISV)
Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own censer, placed fire in it, covered it with incense, and brought it into the presence of YAH as unauthorized fire that he had never prescribed for them.
As a result, fire came out from YAH's presence and incinerated them. They died while in the presence of YAH.
Moses spoke with Aaron about what YAH had said: "Among those who are near me, I'll show myself holy so that I'll be glorified before all people." So Aaron remained silent.
Lesson:
You do not approach YAH your way.
Uzzah — Death for Touching the Ark
2 Samuel 6:6–7 (ISV)
6) Uzzah reached out and grabbed the Ark of God because the oxen had stumbled.
7) The anger of YAH blazed against Uzzah, and God struck him down right there because of his failure, and he died there beside the Ark of God.
Lesson:
Good intentions do not override His command.
Korah's Rebellion — The Earth Opened
Numbers 16:28–35 (ISV)
28) "This is how you'll know that YAH has sent me…
29) If these people die a normal death… then YAH didn't send me.
30) But if YAH creates something new and the ground opens up…"
31) The ground under them split open.
32) The earth opened… and swallowed them.
33) They descended alive to Sheol…
35) Fire came from YAH and incinerated the 250 men.
Lesson:
Rejecting YAH's order brings destruction.
Ananias & Sapphira — Judgment in the New Covenant
Acts 5:1–11 (ISV)
1–2) Ananias and Sapphira lied about their offering.
3–5) Peter: "You didn't just lie to men — but to God!"
Ananias fell down and died…
9) "You agreed together to test the Spirit of YAH…"
10) She fell down and died.
11) Great fear seized the whole church.
Lesson:
The Ruach HaQodesh is not mocked.
Eli's Sons — Dishonoring YAH
1 Samuel 2:30 & 4:11 (ISV)
"The one who honors me I'll honor, and the one who despises me is to be treated with contempt."
The Ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, died.
Lesson:
Leadership is judged first.
Lot's Wife — One Act of Disobedience
Genesis 19:26 (ISV)
26) But Lot's wife looked back… and she became a pillar of salt.
Lesson:
Half-obedience is disobedience.
Israel's Complaining — Fire & Serpents
Numbers 11:1–3 & 21:6 (ISV)
The people began complaining… YAH's fire incinerated some of them.
YAH sent poisonous serpents… many died.
Lesson:
Complaining against YAH = rebellion.
Blessings for Those Who Fear YAH
Fear Brings Knowledge & Wisdom
Proverbs 1:7 (ISV): The fear of YAH is the beginning of knowledge.
Psalm 111:10 (ISV): The fear of YAH is the beginning of wisdom.
Fear Brings Security & Life
Proverbs 14:26–27 (ISV): Rock-solid security is found in the fear of YAH… The fear of YAH is a fountain of life.
Proverbs 19:23 (ISV): The fear of YAH leads to life… untouched by evil.
Fear Brings Guidance, Covenant & Blessing
Psalm 25:12–14 (ISV): Who fears YAH? God will teach him… His descendants will inherit the earth. The intimate counsel of YAH is for those who fear Him.
Fear Brings Angelic Protection & Provision
Psalm 34:7–9 (ISV): The angel of YAH surrounds those who fear Him… Taste and see that YAH is good… Those who fear Him lack nothing.
Fear Marks You as YAH's Own
Malachi 3:16–18 (ISV): A scroll of remembrance was written… "They'll be mine," says YAH… He will spare them… You will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked.
Why Fear Matters
Fear is not the opposite of love —
Fear protects love.
Fear keeps us:
Obedient
Humble
Holy
Watchful
Alive
Set apart
Fear is the security system of the soul.
We fear YAH — therefore we obey Him.
We obey Him — therefore we live.
Final Exhortation
Return to the Fear of YAH.
Return to trembling reverence.
Return to holiness.
Return to obedience.
We are the elect —
A set-apart remnant.
We tremble before His Word.
We bow to His authority.
We walk in His commandments.
We fear His Name.
We honor Yahshua/Jesus our King.
Shalom to the elect who fear YAH.
Continue Your Study
Ready to explore the deadly sins of fearing man and loving the world? Part 2 reveals why true fear belongs to YAH alone.
Read Part 2: The Deadly Sin of Fearing Man and Loving the World