The first reading today is from the book of Deuteronomy. This is the fifth of the first five books of the Jewish and Catholic Bible. For Jews, it is known as the Torah or the five books of Moses. The Torah is the parchment scroll kept in the ark (much like our tabernacle) of many synagogues today. The Torah has been revered by Jews in a special way for thousands of years. The word Deuteronomy is derived from the Hebrew word Debarim meaning ‘Words’ (deuteronomion in the earliest Greek translations of the original Hebrew). In Deuteronomy Moses recalls Israel’s past—the exodus, the Sinai covenant, and the wilderness wanderings—but also looks to Israel’s future as they are about to enter the promised land and begin their life as God’s particular, chosen people. Moses starts by admonishing the Jews with: Fear the LORD your God and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you- and thus have a long life.
Followed by:
“Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe (the commands), that you may grow and prosper the more, in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.”
Then followed by:
“Hear, O Israel… you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
So, the net here seems to be to fear the Lord, do what he tells you to do to avoid trouble and flourish, and love the Lord. More concisely that is, fear the Lord- be obedient- love the Lord. Jesus recommends the same prescription to the scribe. In fact, this ordinance echoes throughout the whole Bible.
Well OK, but how is that supposed to make sense let alone work? We’re to fear something and to love that something too? Not exactly. The clarification comes in understanding the Hebrew word used, which is ‘yare’ (yaw-re). Yare means having reverence, awe, or respect which is virtuous, and it also means being terrified, afraid, or in dread, which is not virtuous. This twofold understanding is carried in the ancient Greek word used in the New Testament, phobeō, as well. There is no distinction between the two aspects of the word. So, we can say then that in understanding God, the two foundational components we find both in the Torah and in the Catholic Bible are clearly meant to be held together. Yet the Bible- Old or New- never commands us to dread God. The context of the term makes the difference. With this in mind, we can better understand quotes like:
“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name.” Nehemia 1:11.
And:
“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him (the savior). The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2-3.
We need to inculcate profound respect for God and his power, while accepting his profound love for us. No matter what.