Why the "Fear of the Lord" is a Recognition of a Love we Don't Want (but really do)

Yesterday I shared a message about the tension between knowing God as a consuming fire (don't mess) and God as a Father (who loves and invites us into his presence). I made the claim that it is the consuming fire image that we don't want to know because we are uncomfortable with it. But, if we do not know this attribute of God then we cannot have proper "fear" which in turn makes godly wisdom an impossibility. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." (Proverbs 9). We know this fear as "reverence and awe." It is also a tension between the consuming fire of God and God's inviting love. As often is the case, the mystery of God is in the tension.

But the two, (God's consuming fire and inviting love) are not as opposed as one might think. It is rather our reaction to a love that purifies that scares us. That is the purpose of the fire, to consume what is imperfect so that only the perfect remains. The consuming fire is no different than a parent who molds a child to be the best and most honorable person he can be. It comes in the form of correction and discipline which is a natural part of parenting. It is an expression of love. Love is not permissive. From a child's perspective it can be terrifying (that is what I remember). When I see someone who is acting inappropriately one of the best ways I can love them is to call them on it. It takes wisdom to know when this is appropriate. And in the process we feel the perhaps the edges of a consuming fire ready to envelope us and warns us of the dangers of our actions. The result? We think twice. In Exodus 20, right after Moses delivered the 10 commandments after descending from the mountain shrouded in fire, smoke and the presence of God (get the connection?), it says that the "people trembled with fear." What was Moses response? "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of the Lord will be with you to keep you from sinning." Interesting. Do not be afraid for the fear of the Lord will be with you? Why? To keep you from sinning. That is a good thing. It is a loving act and one that any parent would hope for their children.
The reason we rebel against this idea of the fear of the lord and the consuming fire is that there is something inside of us that either is afraid of this kind of love or rejects it outright. It is the part of us that is at risk of not surviving the fire. Like the impurities in metal that are burned off in the refining process part of us knows that its life expectancy is short if God has something to do with it. God's consuming fire is an expression of God's love.
But once you recognize what is going on in the bigger picture of your life you welcome this fire because you have the wisdom to see that it makes you more Christ-like.
Do you have the "power to see" the "highest and best goal?" Then live with God's consuming fire for a while, live in reverence and awe, and see whether or not it makes you more wise.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." Proverbs 9