Fear Not Study in ESV

Fear Not Study in ESV

Things to note:

Often happens at critical times of transition when encouragement is needed.
There is a mixture of happening at beginning and subsequent times.
Command not to fear
Note object of fear
At least once for every key leader

Things to Study:

Study reason why they should not fear
What to do instead of fear
Study use of be courageous in the context (found 11x)

Examples of God Speaking Directly to People
God to Abraham(God reaffirms His promise as Abram doubts in a vision)
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
God to Isaac(after his struggle to establish himself in the land)
Genesis 26:24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”
God to Jacob(Jacob moves to Egypt during famine) but something new
Genesis 46:3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraidto go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.
God to Moses(second battle after moving out of wilderness. First defeats Sihon king of Moabites and now facing Og King of Amorites)
Numbers 21:34 But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fearhim, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.”
Same story…
Deuteronomy 3:2 But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not fearhim, for I have given him and all his people and his land into your hand. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’
God to Joshua(transition to lead Israel) – first time leading but was already serving Moses)
Joshua 1:3–9 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Second major battle) Joshua 8:1 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear and do not be dismayed. Take all the fighting men with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land.
(before fighting 5 Amorite kings) Joshua 10:8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fearthem, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.”
(before fighting northern kings) Joshua 11:6 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraidof them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
God to Isaiah
(not be like the people) Isaiah 8:12-13 12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fearwhat they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
God to Jeremiah
(Jeremiah’s calling) Jeremiah 1:8 Do not be afraidof them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
(after fall of Jerusalem) Lamentations 3:57 You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’
God to Ezekiel
(Ezekiel’s calling) Ezekiel 2:6 And you, son of man, be not afraidof them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayedat their looks, for they are a rebellious house.
(Ezekiel’s calling) Ezekiel 3:9 Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead.Fearthemnot, nor be dismayedat their looks, for they are a rebellious house.”
God to Daniel
(after a terrifying vision) Daniel 10:12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
(after a terrifying vision) Daniel 10:19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Examples of Jesus Speaking Directly to People
Jesus to His Disciples
(general teaching)Matthew 10:26 “So have no fearof them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
(general teaching)Matthew 10:28 Anddo not fearthose who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
(general teaching)Matthew 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
(Jesus’ transfiguration)Matthew 17:7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
(Jesus calms the storm) Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
(Jesus calms the storm)Mark 4:40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
(Jesus calms the storm) Luke 8:25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
(Jesus walking on the water)Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
(Jesus walking on the water)Mark 6:50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
(Jesus walking on the water) John 6:19–20 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
(general teaching) Mark 13:7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.
(calling his disciples) Luke 5:10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
(general teaching) Luke 12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fearthose who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
(general teaching)Luke 12:7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
(general teaching) Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(general teaching) Luke 21:9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
(general teaching) John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Jesus to Mary
(after the resurrection) Matthew 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Jesus to Jairus
(healing Jairus’ daughter) Mark 5:36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
(healing Jairus’ daughter) Luke 8:50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”
Jesus to Paul
(calling Paul) Acts 18:9–10 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
Jesus to John
(vision of Christ) Revelation 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,
Jesus to the Church in Smyrna
(instruction to the church) Revelation 2:10 Do not fearwhat you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Examples of God Speaking Directly to People through an Angel
God (through the Angel of the Lord) to Hagar(God protects Hagar and Ishmael)
Genesis 21:17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
God (through an angel) to Gideon(God calls Gideon)
Judges 6:23 But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”
The Angel of the Lord to Elijah
2 Kings 1:15 Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraidof him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king
God (through an angel) to Zechariah(Elizabeth will give birth)
Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
God (through the angel Gabriel) to Mary(accept miraculous birth of Jesus)
Luke 1:30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
God (through an angel) to Joseph(accept Mary’s pregnant condition from the HS)
Matthew 1:20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fearto take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
God (through an angel) to Mary at the Tomb (Jesus resurrected)
Matthew 28:5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
God (through an angel) to the Shepherds(announcement of Jesus’ birth)
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
God (through an angel) to Paul(Paul facing peril at sea)
Acts 27:24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Examples of God Speaking to People Though a Prophet
God (through Isaiah) to Hezekiah (through his servants) (facing Assyria’s invasion)
2 Kings 19:6 Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraidbecause of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me.
Isaiah 37:6 (facing Assyria’s invasion)Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraidbecause of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me.
God (through Isaiah) to Ahaz(threat from Syria)
Isaiah 7:4 And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faintbecause of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.
God (through Jahaziel) to Jehoshaphat, Jerusalem and All Judah
2 Chronicles 20:15 (threat of Moabites and Ammonites)And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayedat this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (threat of Moabites and Ammonites)You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
God (through Isaiah) to theIsraelites
Isaiah 10:24 (threat of Assyrians) Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraidof the Assyrians when they strike with the rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did.
Isaiah 40:9 (general instructions) Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
Isaiah 41:10 (general instructions) fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:13 (general instructions) ForI, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Isaiah 41:14 (general instructions)Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 43:1 (general instructions) But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:5 (general instructions) Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
Isaiah 44:2 (general instructions) Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
Isaiah 44:8 (general instructions) Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me?There is no Rock; I know not any.”
Isaiah 51:7 (general instructions) “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear notthe reproach of man, nor be dismayedat their revilings.
Isaiah 51:12 (general instructions) “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraidof man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass,
Isaiah 54:4 (general instructions) “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
Isaiah 54:14 (general instructions) In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
God (through Jeremiah) to the Israelites
Jeremiah 10:2 (general instructions) Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayedat the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,
Jeremiah 10:5 (general instructions) Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraidof them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”
Jeremiah 17:8 (general instructions) He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fearwhen heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 23:4 (general instructions) I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:10 (facing captivity) “Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity.