Genesis 15:1

Wow! A lot of crazy stuff happens in the bible before God is ever documented as saying “do not be afraid”. I don’t know about you, but if I were Noah I would have liked a little reassurance like that. But nope, it wasn’t until a seemingly random visit to Abram that the words are first spoken. Of course that isn’t to say that the ONLY dialogue that passed between the Lord and His people is all that is written in the bible. There may have been a bit more elaboration as to the whole “build a crazy ridiculously huge boat” thing.

Anyway, the passage in which “fear not” first appears is as follows:

After these events (Abram met with Melchizidek, priest of the Most High at Salem, who blessed him and prophesied that he was greatly blessed), the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:

Do not be afraid, Abram.

I am your shield;

your reward will be very great.

But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what can you give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram continued- “Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.” (Genesis 15:1-3)

Following this passage, the Lord tells Abram that he will give him a son. However, just previously in Genesis 14, Abram had participated in a battle against great odds to rescue his nephew Lot and his people, who had been taken prisoner during warfare. So God’s assertion to Abram that he is his “shield” is hearkening back to this event and reminding Abram of how God had been with him even in the midst of a battle that he shouldn’t have won. If Abram needed any convincing that he could trust God that his reward would be great, it was there in that little reminder that He was his shield.

So here we have the first introduction not only of the words “do not  be afraid”, but also of God giving Himself a title of sorts; teaching His children who He really is, what He is capable of, and how we can relate to Him: I am your shield.

That’s pretty cool.

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