Connect Luke 19:21 with Proverbs 9:10 on fearing the Lord. Context of Luke 19:21 • In the Parable of the Minas, Jesus describes a nobleman who entrusts servants with money while he departs to receive a kingdom (Luke 19:12-13). • One servant returns the mina untouched, explaining, “For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.” (Luke 19:21). • His fear produces inactivity, leading to rebuke and loss (Luke 19:22-24). Fear in Proverbs 9:10 • “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10). • This fear is reverent awe that drives a person toward obedience, learning, and fruitful living. Contrasting Two Kinds of Fear • Misguided dread (Luke 19:21) – Paralyzes and excuses disobedience. – Sees God as merely harsh, distant, and unfair. – Results in loss and judgment (Luke 19:26). • Reverent awe (Proverbs 9:10) – Motivates eager stewardship and wise action. – Recognizes God’s holiness, justice, and goodness. – Leads to growth, blessing, and deeper understanding (Psalm 25:14; John 14:21). Connecting the Passages • Both verses hinge on “fear,” yet show opposite outcomes. • Luke 19:21 warns against a fear that doubts God’s character; Proverbs 9:10 calls for a fear rooted in trust and surrender. • Proper fear generates wisdom that invests God-given resources; improper fear produces folly that hides them. Living Out Right Fear • Embrace God’s self-revelation—He is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger” (Psalm 145:8). • Act in faith: use talents, time, and testimony for His kingdom (Ephesians 2:10; James 2:26). • Cultivate knowledge of the Holy One through Scripture, leading to discerning choices (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Reject paralyzing doubt; “perfect love drives out fear” that involves punishment (1 John 4:18). Further Scriptural Echoes • Matthew 25:24-30 parallels Luke 19, reinforcing the danger of slothful fear. • Isaiah 11:2-3 couples the Spirit of wisdom with the fear of the LORD, showing their inseparable bond. • Hebrews 12:28-29 balances grateful worship with “reverence and awe,” anchoring fear in grace. |
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