Thu, 1 June, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Isaiah 33:5-6

⁵ The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
⁶ and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

I have some pretty neat treasures. I have a classic 1989 Dodge Ram 50 pickup truck. I have a 1963 Ben Franklin silver half dollar. I have more books than I’ll ever read, and more CDs than I regularly listen to. God has richly blessed me with many treasures.

But Isaiah promises an even greater treasure is the possession of the church: The fear of the LORD.

What do we learn from this?

We are such selfish, worldly people. When we think of treasure, we think of gold and silver. We think of the things we covet and horde. What a strange thought this is to think of the fear of the LORD as our treasure. How can that be a treasure? Shouldn’t a treasure be something we love and desire?

And that’s the point. We don’t love God as we should. We don’t desire to grow in knowledge of Him as we should. Not only do we not fear God as we should, but most of us don’t even want to fear Him as we should.

God has to work in us to give us these desires. And as He is working in our midst to bring justice, righteousness, stability, salvation, wisdom and knowledge to His church, His people will grow to love Him and treasure the fear of the LORD.

It doesn’t all happen at once, and most of us are far from where we should be. Yet God continues to work. He is bringing us to sanctification so that we will ultimately be the people He intends us to be.

Where is Christ in this passage?

To fear God is to love and honor Him as we should. It is to show Him the respect that is due to Him. This love and respect is due to all the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But as we consider God administering justice and righteousness, we think of Jesus Christ ruling as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth. He is the one who is ruling with an iron scepter until all His enemies are His footstool.