In Proverbs Solomon says that "The Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." The idea of fearing God is peppered throughout Ecclesiastes. It is found in some texts that we have explored in this series and some that we have not. In this message we will bring five key texts concerning the Fear of God that identify five key reasons why we are wise to Fear Him. We will also investigate the Hebrew word that lies behind this concept of fear in order to gain a more accurate view of this important biblical concept.

2. Series Overview
Trivial Pursuits
•Worldly Wisdom
•Worldly Pleasure
•Riches/Contentment
•Lasting Gain
•Self-Sufficiency
Meaningful Pursuits
•God’s Timetable
•Companionship
•God
•The Fear of God
•Obedience

3. 5 Reasons to Pursue
The Fear of God
Ecclesiastes (various texts)

4. ‫א‬ ֵ
‫ָר‬‫י‬ (Yarā) Fear
1. The Emotion of Fear
2. Reverence or Awe
3. Righteous Behavior/Proper Living
4. Devotee or Follower (“God-fearer”)

5. Because the Fear
of God causes us to
respect our limits.
Ecclesiastes 3:14-15
We Pursue the Fear of God:

6. Because the Fear of
God protects us
from our own
words.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
We Pursue the Fear of God:

7. Because the Fear of
God helps us to live
a balanced life.
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
We Pursue the Fear of God:

8. Because the Fear of
God prepares us for
God’s coming
judgment.
Ecclesiastes 8:10-13
We Pursue the Fear of God:

9. Because the Fear of
God is the
culmination of a
life well-lived.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
We Pursue the Fear of God: