I think it might be called “the Fear of the Lord.”

When in the case of today’s Bible Text it is perhaps “the fear of the people of the Lord” as well!

A “cause and effect” sequence: “And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that THEIR HEART MELTED, neither was there SPIRIT in them any more, because of the children of Israel.” Joshua 5:1, “giving up” nearly before the battles started!

Cause and effect?

The cause: God’s Power in drying the raging waters of the Jordan River, so the Jews could enter the (promised) land of Canaan.

The effect: paralyzing fear falling on the (grossly wicked) inhabitants of that land!

God had clearly promised this phenomenon years ago, in Exodus 23:27. “I WILL SEND MY FEAR BEFORE THEE, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I WILL MAKE ALL THINE ENEMIES TURN THEIR BACKS UNTO THEE.”

Wow!

Moses sure believed God could so this! He prayed, perhaps even daily: “And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and LET THINE ENEMIES BE SCATTERED; and let them that hate thee FLEE BEFORE THEE.” Numbers 10:35

Back in Joshua chapter 2, if you remember, Rahab also had that “fear” in her heart! “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, OUR HEARTS DID MELT, neither did there remain ANY MORE COURAGE in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Joshua 2:10-11

God … being so “in” His people, or being so “on” His people … that the enemies who surrounded them fell into debilitating fear! Maybe I could even say, God being so “for” His people!

Even to be fulfilled in the coming days of the tribulation … Jesus taught: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; MEN’S HEARTS FAILING THEM FOR FEAR, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:25-27

Oh, to be that close to God, to have His Hand so powerfully upon us … to the point others know and recognize His Awesome Presence in our lives!

Maybe we can pray yet today a form of Moses’ ancient prayer. Interceding for our children or grandchildren or other loved ones … “Lord, let the enemies be scattered!”

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell