Fear of the Lord

'And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear'

Isaiah 11.3

I think it's a phrase that noone fully understands, 'the fear of the Lord'. Yet, it's such an important phrase in understanding how we should relate to God. It is described as the beginning of wisdom and here in reference to Jesus it refers to a joyful way of life, but what is it? What is it that Jesus delighted in? I think that it is the word fear that is misleading. I think of fear like a fear of spiders or a fear of heights, but i don't think those really mirror this use. I think an animal's fear of fire might be closer to the truth. An experience of something so awesome, so powerful, so completely different to itself, that leads to complete respect. I think those are the qualities we need to see in God and that our response is one of awe and respect. I think a fear of the Lord involves always viewing God as fully as possible and responding accordingly. Not a fear of the punishment of sin (otherwise Jesus couldn't have delighted in it) but a fear that sees God and falls to its knees with mouth wide open. A fear that leads to a life of obedient submission and heartfelt worship. A fear that touches and controls all aspects of life. A fear that should be delighted in as the root of all wisdom and joy.