“What this means is fear of God’s laws is the beginning of wisdom. The lesson here is obey God’s laws and you will have a better happier life. Don’t defy the laws of gravity (jump off a cliff) and don’t defy God’s laws. Seems straightforward to me”
This is very true for the Old Testament” and those who try to be saved by the Law. But since Jesus came as our savior, we follow those same laws out of Love rather than fear. Not one dot of the law has been removed.
This is addressed in Galatians 5 and other places in the NT. It’s the reason why Jesus answered the Pharisees when they ask Him what the most important law was with the statement in Matthew 22:
The Greatest Commandment
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Allow me to ask you, do you want your children to follow your household rules because they fear you, or because they love you? It is the same with God.
Fearing God is not just an Old Testament doctrine. It was not thrown out with the Incarnation and Crucifixion.
The following NEW TESTAMENT verses affirm the fear of the Lord:
Luke 1:50: “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.”
Luke 12:4-5, where Jesus Himself says: “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
Acts 9:31: “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”
Acts 10:34-35: “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.’”
2 Corinthians 5:11: “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.”
Phillipians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
1 Peter 1:17: “Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.”
1 Peter 2:17: “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”
Revelation 14:6-7: “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’”
Revelation 15:4: “Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Revelation 19:5: “Then a voice came from the throne, saying: ‘Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!’”
It is good to wrestle with the concept of “fearing God,” rather than dismiss it as being opposed to loving Him. After all, it is the beginning of wisdom.