What the fear of God is, was shown in the life of Abraham, when he endured the great test on Mount Moriah. When the angel had arrested the patriarch's hand as it was about to give the fatal blow, the Divine messenger said, "Now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." (Genesis 22:12)
The obedience of Abraham did not come from that fear which is inspired by tyrants. How he regarded the Lord is shown in his wonderful conversation with Him on the day before the destruction of Sodom, when he appealed to God's righteousness and mercy.
Abraham had placed God first in his affections when he took Isaac to Mount Moriah, and when He is first in our affections, and only then, can we be truly said to possess the fear of God.--Present Truth, October 11, 1894--Genesis 22:12.