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The Extremist

July 29, 2020·Brian Majors

Ecclesiastes 7:16-18

I have a deep appreciation for this book, as I was enlightened through this text at a prime time in my walk with the Lord. I appreciate that wisdom often comes in a very practical form, which leaves you saying “hmmm,” while looking up with your hand on your chin… at least, that’s how I react upon receiving wisdom.

This particular verse causes me to reflect on my own life. In Bible college, there was a season where I was very critical of pastors and ministries (I guess when you’re gaining so much knowledge of God’s Word, it’s easy to become overly confident), but God was gracious to me. The Holy Spirit later showed me that the root was pride and self-righteousness [OVERLY RIGHTEOUS]. Now, I’m constantly reminded that I don’t know much at all. I’m also reminded of my high school years, where I was too relaxed about my known sin, knowing the truth, but flirting with boundaries [OVERLY FOOLISH].

What I often tend to miss, and have missed from my previous reading of this scripture, is the important role the Fear of God plays in all of this. The Hebrew word for “fear” used in this text is Yarē’ — Used of a person in an exalted position, “standing in awe.” Not simple “fear,” but “reverence,” an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders them proper respect.

The Hebrews responded in this Fear [Yarē’]. After seeing Elohim’s great power in their deliverance, they stood in awe of God! Their reverence played out physically, in their worship, even laying on their faces. The writer of Ecclesiastes states that we can avoid extremes if we stand in awe of Elohim. This verse is not talking about recognizing that one day we will stand before God in heaven; nope, it’s referring to living in a posture that God is Sovereign, Almighty, Creator, King and Lord, and that’s more than enough.

I’ve found it challenging during this season to not take sides and run with the extremist, the enthusiast, the loud voices. How do we resist that temptation? According to Ecclesiastes, we fear the Lord. We recognize that Elohim is the Sovereign King, and what He says matters most!

As children of God, let’s make sure we’re taking the time, daily, to recognize God’s goodness and majesty, taking time to listen and obey His voice and glean from the wisdom of God’s Word.

Many of you have been down that road of being “overly foolish,” and some of you have traveled the path of being “overly righteous,” and in God’s grace, both paths can lead to Yarē’, both paths can lead to standing in awe of Creator God. If you find yourself on either path, I pray God’s wisdom intercepts your journey, like the Apostle Paul, and leads you in the way everlasting.

Be blessed.

Pastor Brian Majors

The Church on the Way