Fear in the Bible

David attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. When the oxen stumble and Uzzah touches the Ark, God strikes him dead. David is afraid and leaves the Ark at the house of Obed-edom, where it brings great blessing.

John commands testing the spirits—not every spirit is from God. He declares that God is love, and those who live in love live in God. This is how God showed His love: He sent His one and only Son as an atoning sacrifice. There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out fear.

After Mount Carmel, Jezebel threatens Elijah's life, and he flees to the wilderness in despair. God ministers to him with food and rest, then speaks to him not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice. Elisha is called as Elijah's successor.

The Philistines place the Ark in Dagon's temple, but Dagon's statue falls prostrate before it and breaks apart. God afflicts the Philistines with tumors and panic in every city where the Ark is taken.

The Philistines return the Ark to Israel on a new cart pulled by cows, along with guilt offerings of gold tumors and rats. The Ark arrives at Beth-shemesh, where God strikes men who look inside it.

The Philistine giant Goliath challenges Israel to single combat for 40 days. Young David, trusting in God rather than armor, kills Goliath with a sling and stone. Israel routs the Philistines in the ensuing battle.

Jonathan confirms Saul's intent to kill David through a secret arrow signal. The friends weep together and renew their covenant. Jonathan sends David away in peace, both knowing their separation may be permanent.

David flees to Nob where the priest Ahimelech gives him consecrated bread and Goliath's sword. David then escapes to the Philistine city of Gath, where he pretends to be insane before King Achish to avoid danger.

David, fearing Saul will eventually kill him, seeks refuge with the Philistine king Achish of Gath. He is given the town of Ziklag and raids various peoples while deceiving Achish about his targets.

Facing a massive Philistine army, Saul is terrified and gets no answer from God. In desperation, he visits the medium at Endor, who conjures Samuel's spirit. Samuel delivers a final message: Saul and his sons will die tomorrow.

The Philistines defeat Israel at Mount Gilboa. Saul's sons, including Jonathan, are killed. Wounded by archers, Saul falls on his own sword rather than be captured. The men of Jabesh-gilead bravely recover and cremate the bodies.

Hezekiah becomes one of Judah's greatest kings, removing high places and destroying the bronze serpent. He rebels against Assyria. Sennacherib invades Judah, and his official Rabshakeh mocks God and tries to demoralize Jerusalem.

David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with great celebration. When Uzzah touches the Ark and dies, David is afraid and leaves it at Obed-edom's house for three months. He later brings it to Jerusalem, dancing before the Lord, which his wife Michal despises.

After three weeks of fasting, Daniel sees a terrifying angelic being. The angel reveals that a spiritual prince of Persia delayed him for 21 days until Michael helped. This chapter uniquely pulls back the curtain on spiritual warfare behind world events.

Moses begins his farewell speeches to Israel on the plains of Moab. He recounts the journey from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, the appointment of leaders following Jethro's advice, and the disastrous decision to refuse entering Canaan after the spies' report. He reminds the new generation of the consequences of their parents' unbelief.

Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the new generation, emphasising that the covenant was made not just with their parents but with them who are alive today. He recounts how the people were terrified by God's voice from the fire and asked Moses to be their mediator. God approves their reverent fear.

God gives Moses new stone tablets to replace the broken ones and the ark is made to hold them. Moses recounts the death of Aaron and the setting apart of the Levites. He calls Israel to fear the Lord, walk in His ways, love and serve Him with all their heart. God defends the fatherless and widows and loves the foreigner.

Laws of warfare are given. Before battle, priests encourage the army not to fear. Exemptions are granted for those who built new houses, planted vineyards, became engaged, or are afraid. When besieging distant cities, peace terms must first be offered. Fruit trees must not be cut down during siege.

The Teacher observes that wickedness sometimes goes unpunished while the righteous suffer. Yet he affirms that it will be better for those who fear God. No one has power over the day of death. He commends the enjoyment of life as God's gift amid uncertainty.

The Teacher's conclusion. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth before the difficult days come. A beautiful, melancholy poem describes aging and death. The final verdict: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. God will bring every deed into judgment.

Moses makes excuses about his inadequacy, and God gives him three signs: a staff turning into a snake, his hand becoming leprous and restored, and water turning to blood. God appoints Aaron as Moses's spokesman. Moses returns to Egypt, and on the way God nearly kills him until Zipporah circumcises their son.

Pharaoh pursues the fleeing Israelites and traps them at the Red Sea. God tells Moses to stretch out his staff, and the sea parts, allowing Israel to cross on dry ground. The Egyptian army follows but the waters close over them, destroying Pharaoh's entire force. Israel sees God's mighty deliverance and believes.

Israel arrives at Mount Sinai and God proposes a covenant: if they obey, they will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The people agree. God descends on Sinai in fire, smoke, thunder, and earthquake, warning that no one may touch the mountain. Moses alone is summoned to the top.

God speaks the Ten Commandments directly to the people from Mount Sinai, covering duties toward God (no other gods, no idols, no taking God's name in vain, keep the Sabbath) and toward others (honour parents, no murder, adultery, theft, false witness, or coveting). The people tremble and ask Moses to speak to them instead of God.

Enemies of Judah offer to help rebuild but are refused. They then oppose the work through intimidation, legal challenges, and letters to the Persian king. The temple construction is halted for years until King Darius's reign.

Jacob sends messengers ahead to Esau and learns his brother is coming with 400 men, filling him with fear. He divides his camp, prays earnestly, and sends gifts ahead. That night Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure until dawn and is renamed Israel, meaning one who strives with God.

The famine reaches Canaan and Jacob sends ten of his sons to buy grain in Egypt, keeping Benjamin home. Joseph recognises his brothers but they do not recognise him. He tests them by accusing them of being spies and demands they bring Benjamin to prove their honesty, keeping Simeon as hostage.

When the grain runs out, Jacob reluctantly allows Benjamin to go to Egypt with his brothers. Joseph receives them, seats them in birth order — astonishing them — and gives Benjamin five times more food than the others. They dine together and the brothers are overwhelmed by Joseph's generosity.

Jacob sets out for Egypt with his entire household. God speaks to him at Beersheba in a vision, reassuring him not to fear going to Egypt and promising to make him a great nation there. The chapter lists all seventy members of Jacob's family who enter Egypt, and Joseph joyfully reunites with his father.

During the Syro-Ephraimite crisis, God tells King Ahaz not to fear and offers a sign. When Ahaz refuses, God gives the Immanuel prophecy — a virgin will conceive and bear a son. This becomes a key messianic text.

God instructs Isaiah to name his son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz as a sign of coming Assyrian invasion. The chapter warns against consulting mediums instead of God and describes growing darkness for those who reject His word.

Oracles against Babylon (the Desert by the Sea), Edom (Dumah), and Arabia. Isaiah is physically shaken by his vision of Babylon's fall, crying out like a watchman in the night about what he has seen.

The historical narrative begins: Assyria's commander Rabshakeh besieges Jerusalem and taunts King Hezekiah, mocking Judah's trust in God and Egypt. He tries to undermine the people's faith by speaking in Hebrew to the crowds on the wall.

God assures fearful Israel: Do not fear, for I am with you. He will strengthen, help, and uphold them with His righteous right hand. The chapter contrasts powerless idols with the living God who holds His people.

Officials throw Jeremiah into a muddy cistern to die. Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch, courageously rescues him with old rags as padding under the ropes. Zedekiah again consults Jeremiah secretly but lacks courage to follow God's counsel to surrender.

Ishmael, of royal blood, assassinates Governor Gedaliah and massacres his supporters in a horrific act of political violence. He takes captives, but Johanan leads a rescue mission. The survivors prepare to flee to Egypt against God's will.

The survivors ask Jeremiah to pray for guidance: should they stay or flee to Egypt? After ten days, God's answer comes clearly — stay in the land and He will protect them. If they go to Egypt, the sword and famine they fear will follow them there.

Despite God's clear command to stay, the people accuse Jeremiah of lying and force him to Egypt with them. In Egypt, Jeremiah buries stones at Pharaoh's palace entrance, prophesying Nebuchadnezzar will set his throne on that very spot.

Eliphaz begins his first speech, arguing that innocent people do not suffer and that Job should seek God. He recounts a mysterious vision in the night that reinforced his belief that no mortal is righteous before God.

Eliphaz begins his second speech, growing harsher. He accuses Job of undermining piety and claims that Job's own mouth condemns him. He paints a vivid picture of the wicked person's fate as a warning.

Bildad delivers his second speech, describing the terrors awaiting the wicked in graphic detail. He portrays their downfall as certain and complete, implicitly accusing Job of being among the wicked.

This wisdom poem asks where wisdom can be found. Humanity mines precious metals from the earth but cannot discover wisdom through effort or wealth. Only God understands wisdom, and the fear of the Lord is its beginning.

Elihu marvels at God's power displayed in thunderstorms, ice, and weather. He urges Job to consider God's wondrous works and acknowledge that the Almighty is beyond human comprehension, setting the stage for God's speech.

God describes Leviathan, an untameable sea creature of terrifying power. The message is clear: if Job cannot control Leviathan, how can he contend with the God who made it? No one is fierce enough to rouse it.

God calls Jonah to preach against Nineveh, but Jonah flees the opposite direction to Tarshish. A violent storm strikes the ship, and the pagan sailors prove more God-fearing than the prophet. Jonah is thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish.

The Israelites are circumcised at Gilgal, observe Passover, and the manna ceases as they eat the produce of Canaan. Joshua encounters the commander of the Lord's army near Jericho.

Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the folly of storing up earthly treasures. He tells the parable of the rich fool and teaches about anxiety, urging followers not to worry because the Father knows their needs. He calls for readiness and faithful stewardship.

Jesus teaches in parables: the sower, the lamp under a basket, the growing seed, and the mustard seed. He calms a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, prompting the disciples to ask who this man is that even wind and waves obey Him.

Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan for forty days. They return with enormous grapes confirming the land flows with milk and honey, but ten spies spread a terrifying report about giants and fortified cities. Only Caleb and Joshua urge the people to trust God and take the land.

The people weep, rebel, and want to return to Egypt. God threatens to destroy them, but Moses intercedes. God pardons the people but decrees that the entire adult generation (except Caleb and Joshua) will die in the wilderness over forty years. Some Israelites then rashly attack and are defeated.

Solomon introduces the purpose of Proverbs: gaining wisdom, discipline, and understanding. Wisdom personified cries out in the public square, warning that rejecting her leads to disaster. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Solomon urges his son to seek wisdom like hidden treasure. Those who find wisdom gain understanding, protection from evil paths, and deliverance from the immoral woman. God gives wisdom to the upright.

Two invitations contrast: Lady Wisdom builds her house and sets a feast, inviting the simple to learn. The foolish woman also calls, but her path leads to death. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs on the fear of the Lord, justice, and the two paths. There is a way that appears right but leads to death. The wise woman builds her house but the foolish one tears hers down. In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence.

Proverbs on gentle speech, God's omniscience, and contentment. A gentle answer turns away wrath. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere. Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. A cheerful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs on reputation, parenting, and the poor. A good name is more desirable than great riches. Train up a child in the way he should go. The rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all.

The words of King Lemuel's mother and the famous poem of the virtuous woman. She is clothed with strength and dignity, laughs at the days to come, speaks with wisdom, and is praised by her children and husband. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.