Truths from the OT: Fear God alone

Fear God alone.  As the Hebrew population grew unchecked in the land of Egypt, two midwives defied imperial orders to engage in an early form of eugenics.  These women recognized that God supersedes all other authorities; therefore, God alone should be feared, regardless of the ramifications (Ex. 1:15-19).  As a result of their faith, God blessed these two midwives and the entire Hebrew people by their actions (or in-actions) (Ex. 1:20).  The Psalms and Proverbs are filled with praise for those who fear The Lord and condemnation for those who fear man (Prov. 29:25), defining Godly fear as the fountain of life (14:27) and the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).  Even Jesus affirms that only God should be feared since man can only kill the body, while God can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28).  Fear may be  recognition that God will call us at a moment's notice to forsake wealth and family to reach impoverished nations.  Once on the mission field, and faced with a martyr's death, Christians should still reserve fear for God alone, who will deny those who deny the son (Mark 8:38).