God is Much More Than Merely Awesome

God is Much More Than Merely Awesome

Nehemiah 1:4-5, “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:”

            These two verses are taken from Nehemiah’s prayer in the first chapter. In verse four the prophet mentions that he came before God and used the name Elohiym (430) which is the supreme or superlative name of God. In verse five Nehemiah refers to God as LORD God YHVH Elohiym (3068, 430) which means the self-existent, independent, eternal God who is the supreme God.  In verse five he identifies YHVH Elohiym   as the great terrible God (gadowl yare el 1419, 3372, 410) i.e. the exceeding, great God who must be revered and feared because He is a strong, powerful mighty God.

             Some modern versions translate gadowl simply as “awesome” which is not a sufficient word to explain this Hebrew word.  I believe that thee word awesome misses the point somewhat in that it does not leave the impression that YHVH Elohiym is a God to be reverenced and feared.  Solomon said in the ninth Proverb verse ten, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”  Later he said in Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”  So, Nehemiah’s prayer attitude was one of referential fear which was a wise and respectful way to come before God’s presence.  The bible lesson he is quite clear that Christian musicians must come before God with reverential fear and awe.