NOTES ON FEAR AND OBEDIENCE IN DANGEROUS TIMES: ‘DOING IT ANYWAY AS A CALL TO RESISTANCE JUST BEFORE THE MIDTERMS “(WITH VIDEO) – EZRA 3:1-5

ANYWAY AS A CALL TO RESISTANCE JUST BEFORE THE MIDTERMS (WITH VIDEO)

1. THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “When the seventh month came and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers AROSE, and they BUILT the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses, the man of God. 

So they set up the altar on its [old] foundation, for they were TERRIFIED because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, morning and evening. They celebrated the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the fixed number of daily burnt offerings, in accordance with the ordinances, as each day required; and afterward, there was the continual burnt offering, the offering at the New Moons, and at all the appointed festivals of the Lord that were consecrated, and the offerings of everyone who made a voluntary offering to the Lord.” – EZRA 3:1-5, AMP

KEY TERMS.

• “AROSE.” ‘Kum’ [קוּם]: “Rise up in order to abide or accomplish; lit., TO STAND UP!” NOTE: “קוּם always conveys Movement from a lower to a higher position or from inactivity to ‘Purposeful Action.’ Whether it is a person rising from a bed, a Prophet being commissioned, or the LORD Himself acting in power, the verb marks a ‘DECISIVE TRANSITION’ that changes the situation into one of Engagement, Establishment, or Continuation.”

• “BUILT.” ‘Banah’ [וַיִּבְנ֕ו ]: “To Construct, Establish, Rebuild or Repair.” NOTE: “בָּנָה (‘banah’) expresses the action of Building, whether of houses, cities, fortifications, altars, dynasties, families, or Spiritual [Conditions]. From the First Settlements of early Genesis to the Prophetic Hopes of a rebuilt Zion, the verb marks every major stage of Old Testament history and theology.”

• TERRIFIED.” ‘Emah’ [בְּאֵימָ֣ה]: “To be frightened of or dread an idol, as with a bugbear, hobgoblin, or horror.” NOTE: “Used seventeen times across the Old Testament, אֵימָה portrays: A sudden, overwhelming DREAD that God either sends, allows, removes, or ultimately banishes. It is never mere anxiety; it is an awe–laden shock that exposes creaturely frailty before Divine Power, Royal Authority, or Imminent Judgment.

QUOTATION.  “‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. ‘All we have to DECIDE is what to do with the time that is given us.’”― J.R.R. TOLKIEN, The Fellowship of the Ring, 1954; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘From the proceedings of the Jews on their arrival, let us learn to BEGIN WITH GOD, and to do what we can in the worship of God, when we cannot do what we would.’ They could not at once have a Temple, but they would not be without an Altar. ‘Fear of Danger should stir us to our DUTY.’ Havewe many enemies? Then it is good to have God our Friend, and to keep up communion with Him. ‘Our fears should drive us to our knees [FIRST]!’ The sacrifices for all these solemnities were a heavy expense for so poor a company; yet besides those expressly appointed, many brought free-will offerings to the Lord. And they made preparation for the building of the temple without delay: ‘Whatever God calls us to DO, we may depend upon His Providence to furnish us with the needful means.’” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols, 1708-1710; edited

II. TEACHING

“For to fear Death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise without really being wise, for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For no one knows whether Death may not be the greatest good that can happen to man.” ― PLATO, Apology of Socrates, 399 BC

The argument could well be made for all of human history that Man’s greatest fear is the Fear of Death. Not only because we imagine it to be the most painful of experiences, but also because we really do not know what is “On the Other Side.” If we are honest with ourselves, this is also true for many if not most Christians. “For now, we see in a mirror, dimly,” whenit comes to both Heaven and Hell (1 Corinthians 13:12).

In Sum: ‘We Fear the Unknown.’

THE FRIGHTS OF GIDEON. While I have struggled to think of myself as some sort of mighty man of God, I am always comforted by the example of what one article labels this Biblical figure, “Gideon: Man of Fear.” Indeed, theologian PAUL SCHARF introduces him this way:

“When we first encounter Gideon, the fifth of the 12 leaders of Israel described in the Book called Judges, he is definitely ‘a man who is overwhelmed, even dominated, by Fear’” (Sharper Iron, Mar. 7, 2025; edited).

There is not a man nor woman nor little child among us that does not experience Fear almost on a daily basis. But here’s the thing so canonized by Tolkien’s Gandalf: ‘Fear is not the sin; What we CHOOSE to do with it determines the difference between Fear and Honor.’

THE STORY. For a superb recounting of the Gideon Narrative we turn to DR. JOHN HOLMES in a teaching titled, “Fear, Faithfulness, and Gideon: A Biblical Perspective” (FBC Moriarty, Mar. 24, 2025; edited). Here is a Summary of his Main Points.

OPEN. “One of the most well-known and influential stories in the Old Testament is the Story of Gideon in Judges 6-7. Gideon was an unlikely, fearful man whom God called to lead Israel against the Midianites, a powerful enemy that had been oppressing Israel for years. ‘At first, Gideon was PARALYZED BY FEAR—he doubted himself, he doubted God, and he constantly looked for signs and reassurance before taking action’ (and this was not a good thing; see my earlier blog on Not Putting Out Your Fleece). ‘Yet, through God’s Guidance, Gideon moved from FEAR TO FAITH—not because of his own strength, but because he learned to trust in God’s Power and OBEY despite his fears.’”

1. DOUBT. “The first time we see Gideon, he is hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat in secret because he is afraid of the Midianites (Judges 6:11). This is not the picture of a bold, confident leader—it is the image of a man who is terrified, insecure, and convinced that his situation is hopeless. When the Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, He says something shocking: ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!’ (Judges 6:12). Gideon immediately responds with doubt. ‘If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? Where are all His wonders that our ancestors told us about?’ (Judges 6:13). Instead of focusing on God’s Power, Gideon focuses on his circumstances. He assumes that if things are difficult, God must have abandoned him.”

• PERSPECTIVE. “After questioning God’s Presence, Gideon then questions himself. When God calls him to save Israel, he immediately gives excuses: ‘But Lord… how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family!’ (Judges 6:15). Gideon believes he is too weak, too unqualified, and too insignificant to do what God is asking. But God does not respond by telling Gideon he is stronger than he thinks. Instead, God simply says: ‘I WILL BE WITH YOU’ (Judges 6:16). The solution to fear is not self-confidence but God-Confidence.”

• OBEDIENCE.  “Even after God reassures Gideon, he still hesitates. He asks God for multiple signs before he is willing to act. He lays out a ‘Fleece’ and asks God to make it wet while the ground stays dry, and then he asks for the opposite the next night (Judges 6:36-40). Why? Because Gideon still wants to feel in control. He is afraid of stepping out in faith without extra assurance.”

• VICTORY. “‘When Gideon finally OBEYS, God does something shocking. He reduces Gideon’s army from 32,000 men to just 300!’ (Judges 7:2-8). WHY? Because God says: ‘You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against Me, saying, “My own strength has saved me’” (Judges 7:2). God wants Gideon to know that victory doesn’t come from human strength but from God’s power alone. When Gideon and his 300 men attack, they don’t even fight. They blow trumpets, break jars, and shout, ‘A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!’—and God causes the Midianites to panic and destroy themselves! (Judges 7:19-22).”

JESUS ON OBEDIENCE. “‘But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, ‘THE FIRST.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.’” – MATTHEW 21:28-31, NKJV

III. ON THE PRECIPICE

In this section, I wish to address TWO ISSUES that we must all pay the closest of attention to – and they are inseparably related. The November 3^rd Midterm Elections; and the Biblical Response to Sabotage should that occur, as I strongly believe it will – and Beyond.

THE 2026 MIDTERMS. In order to construct an historical context for what follows, we must come to terms with what may well happen a mere 30 days from now. Some speculate this: The End of Democracy in America.

I am one of those who believe that if President Trump can subvert the electoral process this November, he will have destroyed what is left of our barely free-standing Republican form of Government forever. If that takes place, there will be no return to Constitutional Liberty for us ever again.

Selah.

To explore the details, we briefly turn to an dispassionate secular analysis of this existential matter by BRUCE STOKES, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, a Washington-based think tank policy liaison between the United States and West Germany.  The title of his piece:

“What Will Happen if Trump Rejects the Midterm Results?” (Chatham House, Sep. 14, 2026; edited). Here, briefly, are some of his WARNINGS for the days ahead.

• OPEN. “The Administration’s efforts to undermine confidence in the US Electoral System could spark a Political Crisis in November – with Consequences for the 2028 Presidential race and beyond.  The United States’ Midterm Elections are less than two months away and signs are already emerging that the Republican Party could suffer significant losses. All 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 Senators are up for election on 3 November, with current polling suggesting that President Donald Trump could lose his Republican majority in at least one chamber of Congress.”

• THUNDERCLOUDS. “But the stakes of these Midterms are made higher by Trump’s repeated signalling that he might not accept the outcome if defeated. Equally troubling are his Administration’s apparent efforts over recent months to disenfranchise voters in areas of traditional Democratic strength. ‘All of this raises the prospect of a Political Crisis erupting in November, which the country’s Checks and Balances are increasingly ill-equipped to manage.’ With another Presidential Election only two years away, can US Democracy respond?”

• SUBVERSION. “In many ways, this Subversion has already begun. When Trump narrowly lost the Presidential Election to Joe Biden in 2020, he claimed that the result was rigged and stolen. Since then, he has repeatedly sown seeds of doubt about the integrity of the US Electoral System and the unfairness of the upcoming 2026 Congressional Election. In a televised address to the Nation in July, he reiterated claims about widespread “VOTER FRAUD” in the 2020 Election and accused China of interfering in America’s ‘dangerously exposed Electoral System.’ ‘No country can be great without fair and honest elections,’ he said. ‘Unfortunately, the system we have falls catastrophically short of that standard.’”

• NOTE: President Donald Trump FIRED the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on July 9, 2026, leaving the bipartisan federal agency without leadership ahead of the Midterm Elections.

• MAIL-INS. “Trump is also trying to undermine the Election in more overt ways; primarily by making it harder for Americans to vote. Since returning to office, he has been pressing Congress to pass the SAVE AMERICA ACT, legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, insist on photo ID to cast a ballot and scale back postal voting. The legislation has passed the House, first in 2025 and then again in 2026, but the Senate has not acted. Most immediately, this would affect the estimated 9 per cent of voting age Americans – some 22 million people – who cannot readily access proof of citizenship. Yet in demanding enactment of this legislation before the election, Trump is fuelling the False Assertion that thousands of Undocumented people vote.”

• CHAOS. “‘This Interference [WILL] continue after Election Day.’ In the first instance, were the Administration to allege fraud, compliant local officials could try to seize ballots or voting machines, as they attempted in 2020. Disputing the integrity of the voting process could result in a situation where the outcome is not declared for weeks, leading to lengthy recounts and appeals. All of which would significantly undermine the ability of government to function. Particularly if these delays drag [toward January 3, 2027, when some speculate that Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson might try to use a disputed Roll Call or a Rogue House Clerk Strategy to Refuse Seating to a newly elected Democratic House majority].

THE QUESTION. Should the President succeed in his historic threats to Disenfranchise the American Electoral Process this November, this is what we will face in the Aftermath. Adapted from an AI Overview (ret. Sep. 15, 2026), ‘America would experience nothing short of a SEISMIC COLLAPSE of the entire American Political Order such as we have never seen before.’

More specifically, if the Midterm Election results are overturned or blocked, America will face a severe CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS that paralyzes the Federal Government and fractures public trust that would result in Government Shutdown, work stoppage, endless Court appeals, mass protests with the potential for armed conflict high, leading to the ‘Declaration of Martial Law’ by a President that frankly has had in mind all along this Chaotic Path we have been walking for the past ten years. Selah.

IV. LAST THOUGHTS: WHAT THEN?

THE BARMEN (1934). The Barmen Declaration or the Theological Declaration of Barmen 1934 (German: Die Barmer Theologische Erklärung) was a document adopted by Christians in Nazi Germany who opposed the German Christian Movement. In the view of the delegates to the Synod that met in the city of Wuppertal–Barmen in May 1934, the German Christians had corrupted Church Government by making it subservient to the State and had introduced Nazi Ideology into the German Protestant Churches that contradicted the Christian Gospel.

Written primarily by the Swiss reformed theologian Karl Barth, it would serve as the Foundational Document for the Nazi Resistance in the form of the CONFESSING CHURCH pioneered by Barth, Martin Niemöller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Here is a SUMMARY of that historic Declaration.

1. The only source of Revelation is the Word of God — Jesus Christ. Any other possible sources (earthly powers, for example) will not be accepted.
2. Jesus Christ is the only Lord of all aspects of personal life. There should be no other authority.
3. The Message and Order of the Church should not be influenced by the current political convictions.
4. Leadership in the Church is not Dominion, it is in service of its ministry entrusted to all its members; there can be no special leader (“Führer”) apart from that ministry (Mt. 20, 25).
5. The State should not fulfill the task of the Church and vice versa. State and Church are both limited to their own business.
6. Therefore, the Barmen Declaration REJECTS the subordination of the Church to the State and the subordination of the Word and Spirit to the Church.

“WE REJECT THE FALSE DOCTRINE as though the Church in human arrogance could place the Word and work of the Lord in the service of any arbitrarily chosen desires, purposes, and plans.”

BARMAN 2026. “A group of nearly 400 prominent Christian leaders called President Donald Trump’s administration ‘Cruel and Oppressive’ and accused the Government of being corrupted by an aberrant form of Christianity, in an Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18, 2026) STATEMENT … ‘We are facing a cruel and oppressive government; Citizens and Immigrants being demonized, disappeared, and even killed; the erosion of hard-won rights and freedoms; and a calculated effort to reverse America’s growing racial and ethnic diversity — all of which are pushing us toward Authoritarian and Imperial Rule,’ reads the letter, which organizers said was spearheaded by a group of Christian Leaders who have been meeting regularly to discuss how to respond to the Administration.” – JACK JENKINS, Religion News, Feb. 18, 2026; edited

Consisting of mostly Mainline Protestants, Progressive Christian leaders and a few Evangelicals, here are their MAIN POINTS.

• VULNERABLE: “We will defend Immigrants, Refugees, People of Color, and all who are in harm’s way; Resist cruel, unjust, and illegal policies and violent enforcement, and surround those under attack with Pastoral care, solidarity, and prophetic public witness.”

• NEIGHBORS: “In OBEDIENCE TO JESUS, we will love our neighbors without exception, especially those who are different from us, and reject the politics of fear, exclusion, and dehumanization. We will Reject the language of ‘others’ and ‘us and them,’ and remember that Christ came “So that they may all be one” (John 17:21).”

• POWER: “We will Confront lies and hatred towards Immigrants, People of Color, Jews, Muslims, and other religious minorities and political opponents; Oppose the rollback of Civil Rights and Racial Justice Protections; Name Racism as a sin from which we must REPENTand turn from; and RESIST the erasure of History and Truth.‘SILENCE in this Moment is COMPLICITY!’” 

• PEACE: “We commit to persistently building Peace and pursuing Justice, including by Acting Nonviolently to Protect those threatened by violence and advocating for a Foreign Policy that favors diplomacy, respects national sovereignty, and supports Democracy, human rights, humanitarian aid, and peacebuilding.

• JUSTICE: “Guided by the Prophets, we will Challenge unjust laws, Defend Poor and Marginalized People, and Persist in the work of uprooting Racism and White Christian Nationalism. We will commit to: ‘Act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God’ (Isa. 10:1; Micah 6:8).

• DEMOCRACY: “‘Honoring the Image of God–Imago Dei–in every person’ (Gen. 1:26) in a Democracy means each person’s VOTE is their voice.’ We will, therefore, defend the right to vote, resist voter suppression and intimidation, encourage greater participation in our Democratic Process, and equip Clergy and lay leaders to support free and fair elections. We will defend Constitutional Rights and Freedoms, including Speech and Assembly, Due Process, the Rule of Law, and Religious Liberty, and will uphold Democratic Norms and Practices. 

• HOPE: In a time of Fear, Intimidation, and Despair, we will choose Hope, which is more than Optimism. It is trusting and believing that God is still at work. ‘FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’ (Heb. 11:1).

• DISCIPLESHIP: “Knowing that Following Jesus in this time requires deep wellsprings of ‘Spiritual Courage,’ we will be rooted and grounded in Prayer, Love, [and Truth] (Eph. 3:17-19), developing practices and commitments to nurture Resilience in our inward journey for the outward witness we embrace as our calling.”

THE RESISTANCE.   ^“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND. STAND therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” – EPHESIANS 6:10-20, NKJV

The very Word of the King, through His intrepid Apostle, thanks be to God.

MEDIA

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/G8AHV9a3SMU