The Bible - Lesson 2: Trembling at God's Word

The Bible

Lesson 2: Trembling at God's Word

Isaiah 66:2 For all these things has my hand made, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The purpose of this series of lessons is to provide some basic instructions and principles regarding the Bible, so that the scriptures may be found to be that which makes wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15) and not that which will judge in the last day (John 12:48).

God the Father, the Almighy, the maker of heaven and earth, is the great and mighty king of kings. He is the one in authority over all, he has power over all, and he is also the great and final judge who judges all men without partiality. The prophets of old called men to fear the Lord. The apostle Peter calls all those who call upon this God as Father to daily walk in the fear of the Lord (1 Peter 1:17).

When this God speaks, we should be quick to hear and slow to speak. We should be silent, listen, and respond appropriately. We should tremble at his word, because he, the great and mighty king and judge, has spoken it. That means that we should show deep respect for God's word that has been written down, both because this written word is what God has spoken in the past, and because he still speaks to men through this same written word today. When God speaks, he means what he says, and he will follow through. He meant it when he first said it, and he means it still today.

If we tremble at God's word, listening, humbling ourselves and obeying, then God will show mercy and grace (Isaiah 66:2). Trembling at his word is something we do at a moment in time. For example, Ahab trembled at God's word that was spoken through Elijah. When Ahab heard God's word, he humbled himself. Much more than that, trembling at God's word should be our daily and lifelong attitude.

Not trembling at God's word. If we choose to ignore God's word, as something of no concern to us; if we in reading and hearing God's word treat it lightly, as though God did nor really mean what he said; if we do not tremble at his word now, then we will tremble later at God's wrath.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we will have a few lessons on the Bible. In this lesson, we will talk about trembling at God's word.

Read Isaiah 66:2. Ask the children what they think “trembling at my word” means. What kind of attitude do they think it is?

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10 about God calling Samuel. Emphasize how Samuel was quick to hear and respond to Eli each time, and then to God once Eli told him who was calling. Ask the children how Samuel honored Eli and also honored God when God spoke.

Use the stories below about the Egyptians (Exodus 9:13-33), David (2 Samuel 12:1-13), Ahab (1 Kings 21:17-29), Asa (2 Chronicles 16:7-12), Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16-23), and possibly the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:23-34). Summarize the stories for the children. As you tell them the stories, ask them to decide who trembled at God's word and who did not. Why do they think so? How do you know this one trembled at God's word and that on did not? What happened to those who trembled at God's word? What happened to those who didn't?

As you tell these stories and ask them questions, be sure to connect God's word that he spoke to God's word written down in the Bible.

To close the lesson, pray with the children and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

1 Samuel 3:1-10 [1] The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. Yahweh’s word was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. [2] At that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see), [3] and the lamp of God hadn’t yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down in Yahweh’s temple, where the ark of God was; [4] Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” [5] He ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He said, “I didn’t call; lie down again.” He went and lay down. [6] Yahweh called yet again, “Samuel!” Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” He answered, “I didn’t call, my son; lie down again.” [7] Now Samuel didn’t yet know Yahweh, neither was Yahweh’s word yet revealed to him. [8] Yahweh called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; for you called me.” Eli perceived that Yahweh had called the child. [9] Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. [10] Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak; for your servant hears.”

As Eli taught Samuel, so we should teach our children to be quick to listen to the Lord when the Lord speaks. One thing that means is that we should teach our children to fear God and reverence God's word (the Bible), to be quick to listen when it is read and discussed, and when they read it themselves. As Samuel was ready to listen to God's word, so children should follow his example today, to be quick to listen to God's word (the Bible).

More Stories and Examples:

HERE I AM

Genesis 22:1 After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 3:4 When Yahweh saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, “Moses! Moses!” He said, “Here I am.”

THEY TREMBLED AT GOD'S WORD

Exodus 9:13-33 [13] Yahweh said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, that they may serve me. [18] Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Egypt since the day it was founded even until now. [19] Now therefore command that all of your livestock and all that you have in the field be brought into shelter. Every man and animal that is found in the field, and isn’t brought home, the hail shall come down on them, and they shall die.”’” [20] Those who feared Yahweh’s word among the servants of Pharaoh made their servants and their livestock flee into the houses. [21] Whoever didn’t respect Yahweh’s word left his servants and his livestock in the field. [22] Yahweh said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” [25] The hail struck throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and animal; and the hail struck every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field. [26] Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

When God spoke to Pharaoh about the coming plague of hail, some Egyptians trembled at God's word and brought their servants and livestock under cover. Some Egyptians did not tremble at God's word, and so left their servants and cattle out in the fields. God means what he says. Those who did not respect God's word, who did not tremble at God's word, did tremble at his wrath.

2 Samuel 12:1-13 [13] David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against Yahweh.” Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die.

David committed great sin when he committed adultery with the wife of Uriah and then had Uriah killed. God spoke to David through the prophet Nathan. David was rebuked for his sin, and told of coming judgment. David trembled at God's word. He humbled himself and confessed his sin, and so found mercy with God.

1 Kings 21:17-29 [17] Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, [18] “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. [19] You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’” [20] Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh. [21] Behold, I will bring evil on you, and will utterly sweep you away and will cut off from Ahab everyone who urinates against a wall, and him who is shut up and him who is left at large in Israel. [22] I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger, and have made Israel to sin.” [23] Yahweh also spoke of Jezebel, saying, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel. [24] The dogs will eat he who dies of Ahab in the city; and the birds of the sky will eat he who dies in the field.” [25] But there was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. [26] He did very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel. [27] When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. [28] Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, [29] “See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son’s days will I bring the evil on his house.”

King Ahab was a wicked king of Israel. Naboth was killed so that Ahab could take his vineyard. God sent a message of doom to Ahab through Elijah the prophet. Ahab not only heard with his ears, but trembled at God's word and humbled himself. Because he trembled at God's word, because he humbled himself when God spoke, even this most wicked king was shown some measure of mercy.

Acts 16:23-34 [29] He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,

The Philippian jailer fell down trembling. He had not been reading the Bible. Yet God has spoken clearly to the jailer through the prayer and singing of Paul and Silas, through the earthquake, through the chains falling off, and even through no one escaping. The jailer understood through this “word” of God that he was very near the judgment seat of almighty God, and that his judgment would not go well. Therefore, he fell down trembling, asking, what must I do to be saved. He found mercy. Truly God does look upon the one who is poor and contrite of spirit and who trembles at his word.

THEY DID NOT TREMBLE AT GOD'S WORD

2 Chronicles 16:7-12 [7] At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, therefore is the army of the king of Syria escaped out of your hand. [8] Weren’t the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, he delivered them into your hand. [9] For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars.” [10] Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in the prison; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time. [11] Behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. [12] In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he didn’t seek Yahweh, but to the physicians.

King Asa was known as a good king on Judah. He had trusted in God in the past. Later in his life, when faced with another enemy army, he chose to trust in man rather than God. Hanani the seer brought to Asa a rebuke from the Lord. Though Asa heard with his ears, he did not tremble at God's word. He did not humble himself by repenting and seeking forgiveness for his sin. Instead, he removed the seer who brought to him God's word.

God's word is many things. While at times it is pleasant and comforting, at other times it is convicting and a rebuke. Will we tremble at God's word, humbling ourselves before the God who spoke and still speaks through what was written so long ago? Will we plug the ears of our hearts and put away God's word (and so put away the God who spoke it), no being willing to humble ourselves in repentance and simple obedience? May God grant us hearts that tremble at his word.

2 Chronicles 26:16-23 [16] But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into Yahweh’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense. [17] Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were valiant men: [18] and they resisted Uzziah the king, and said to him, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespassed; neither shall it be for your honor from Yahweh God.” [19] Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in Yahweh’s house, beside the altar of incense. [20] Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked on him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from there; yes, himself hurried also to go out, because Yahweh had struck him. [21] Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from Yahweh’s house: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land. [22] Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote. [23] So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, “He is a leper.” Jotham his son reigned in his place.

King Uzziah (Azariah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Kings 15:3). However, when he grew strong, he became proud. In his pride he decided to do what God said only the priests should do. He was rebuked by the priests, who reminded him of God's word about this matter. If Uzziah had trembled, if he had humbled himself, perhaps his life would have ended differently. Instead, he became angry. He did not listen and obey. He did not humble himself. God then struck him leprosy. Then Uzziah trembled (2 Chronicles 26:20). Then he feared, but it was too late. He was a leper to the day of his death.

Other Verses:

GOD IS A GREAT GOD AND KING

God is a great king. He is a great king over all the earth. He is a great king over all gods. He is the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity. At his wrath the earth trembles. We are called to walk in the fear of the Lord, in the fear of this God.

Malachi 1:14 “But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the Lord a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and my name is awesome among the nations.”

Psalm 47:2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.

Psalm 95:3 For Yahweh is a great God, a great King above all gods.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Jeremiah 10:10 But Yahweh is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembles, and the nations are not able to withstand his indignation.

1 Peter 1:17 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:

GODS' WORD IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS GOD'S WORD

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-4 [1] God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. [3] His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; [4] having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. [2:1] Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. [2] For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; [3] how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; [4] God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

TREMBLE AT GOD'S WORD

Ezra 9:1-4 [1] Now when these things were done, the princes drew near to me, saying, “The people of Israel, and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, following their abominations, even those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. [2] For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed have mixed themselves with the peoples of the lands. Yes, the hand of the princes and rulers has been chief in this trespass.” [3] When I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down confounded. [4] Then were assembled to me everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of their trespass of the captivity; and I sat confounded until the evening offering.

Ezra 10:1-4 [1] Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before God’s house, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very bitterly. [2] Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing. [3] Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the law. [4] Arise; for the matter belongs to you, and we are with you. Be courageous, and do it.”

Psalm 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

Proverbs 1:7-9 [7] The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. [8] My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching: [9] for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

The fear of the Lord and receiving his wisdom and instruction, his word, to obey, are tied together.

Proverbs 13:13 [ASV] Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself; But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

Isaiah 66:1-5 [1] Thus says Yahweh, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what kind of house will you build to me? and what place shall be my rest? [2] For all these things has my hand made, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but to this man will I look, even to him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word. [3] He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations: [4] I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen; but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.” [5] Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh be glorified, that we may see your joy;’ but it is those who shall be disappointed.

Jeremiah 36:15-16 [15] They said to him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears. [16] Now when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one toward another, and said to Baruch, “We will surely tell the king of all these words.”