What does "fear the name of the LORD" mean in Isaiah 59:19? Isaiah 59:19 in Focus “So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He will come like a rushing stream, driven by the wind of the LORD.” Setting the Scene • Isaiah 59 exposes Israel’s sin, then promises God’s decisive intervention. • Verse 19 marks a turning point: when the LORD steps in, people worldwide respond with “fear” toward His name and glory. What “Fear” Usually Means in Scripture • Healthy awe and reverence (Proverbs 1:7). • A deep awareness of God’s majesty that curbs sin (Exodus 20:20). • Loyal obedience springing from respect (Deuteronomy 10:12–13). How That Fits Isaiah 59:19 1. Awe at His Appearance – The LORD “comes like a rushing stream.” His overwhelming power evokes amazement, not panic. 2. Moral Trembling – Israel’s injustice is exposed earlier in the chapter; those who see His holiness recoil from their own guilt. 3. Willing Submission – To “fear the name of the LORD” means yielding to His rule and aligning with His covenant ways. Why the Verse Adds “Name of the LORD” • In Hebrew thought, “name” equals revealed character—His faithfulness, justice, mercy (Exodus 34:5–7). • Fearing His name, then, is honoring everything He has shown Himself to be. • It’s personal: not dread of an unknown force, but reverence for the God who has made Himself known. Global Reach of This Fear • “From the west… from the rising of the sun” → west to east, a poetic way of saying everywhere. • God’s plan was never limited to Israel; Isaiah anticipates worldwide acknowledgment (cf. Isaiah 2:2–3; Malachi 1:11). What Flows Out of Fearing His Name • Intimate fellowship: “The LORD confides in those who fear Him” (Psalm 25:14). • Protection and deliverance: “For you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2). • Practical righteousness: “To fear the LORD is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). Living the Verse Today • Stand in awe—let God’s majesty reshape your view of sin and holiness. • Submit—yield daily choices to the One whose name deserves honor. • Spread the word—God intends every corner of the globe to revere His name; our witness joins that plan. To “fear the name of the LORD” in Isaiah 59:19 is to respond to His dramatic, righteous intervention with profound reverence, repentant obedience, and lifelong devotion—attitudes that echo from one horizon to the other until His glory fills the earth. |
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