Rejoice and Tremble by Michael Reeves
In this book, (part of the "Union" series) Reeves tells us that he is going to "clear the clouds of confusion and shows that the fear of the Lord is not a negative thing at all, but an intensely delighted wondering at God, our Creator and Redeemer."
"Rejoice and Tremble" does prove that the fear of the Lord is not only a positive thing, but a mindset commanded by God. I remember that one of Messianic prophesies says that even Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1-3).
The first (maybe) one-third of the book is spent telling readers what the fear of the Lord is NOT (I'm not saying that as a bad thing, but a very necessary thing.)
In the next part of the book, the fear of God defined as a "filial fear" and not a "servile fear", and Reeves does a good job of that.
The last part of the book is the most confusing part for me...how to get "there". Because people are different, the processes and experiences are different, so the "to do list" is different.
Why does it matter?The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We cannot rightly know God unless we rightly fear God.
My overall all impression of the book was positive.
I did get a bit impatient during that first third, since I'm pretty quick to get concepts and I kept thinking "okay, I got it!"
The book is saturated with Scripture and we can get "cold" in our fear of God - "Rejoice and Tremble" is a good reminder of our place in God's kingdom and a call back to the wonder and glory of God.
And the verdict is:
Read this book if you're confused about what the fear of God is, if you feel as thought you once knew but have put filial fear on the back burner, or if you just need a reminder.
