What other scriptures reinforce the command to fear and worship God exclusively? Rooted in 2 Kings 17:36 “But the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, and to Him you shall bow down, and to Him you shall sacrifice.” Echoes in the Law - Exodus 20:3–5 — “You shall have no other gods before Me… you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…” - Exodus 23:24-25 — “You must not bow down to their gods or serve them… But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and water…” - Deuteronomy 6:13-15 — “Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only… Do not follow other gods… for the LORD your God… is a jealous God…” - Deuteronomy 10:12, 20 — “What does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God… Fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him…” Psalms That Call Us Back - Psalm 34:9 — “Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” - Psalm 86:9-10 — “All the nations… will bow before You… For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.” - Psalm 96:4-5 — “For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” Wisdom’s Reminder - Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” - Ecclesiastes 12:13 — “When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.” Prophetic Voices - Isaiah 8:13 — “The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.” - Isaiah 45:5-6 — “I am the LORD, and there is no other… so that all may know… that there is no one but Me.” - Jeremiah 10:10 — “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King…” - Micah 4:5 — “Though each of the nations may walk in the name of its god, we will walk in the Name of the LORD our God forever and ever.” - Malachi 1:14 — “For I am a great King, says the LORD of Hosts, and My name is to be feared among the nations.” New Testament Continuity - Matthew 4:10 — “‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” - Acts 17:24-25 — “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth… He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” - 1 Peter 3:15 — “But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord…” - Revelation 14:7 — “Fear God and give Him glory… Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.” Living It Out - One object of fear leads to one object of worship: the Lord alone. - Scripture links fear, worship, service, and obedience as inseparable responses to His saving acts. - From the first commandment to the final call in Revelation, God consistently claims exclusive rights to our reverence, trust, and devotion. |
    |