The concept of the "Fear of the LORD" extends beyond the boundaries of Israel and Judah, impacting the surrounding kingdoms in various ways throughout the biblical narrative. This reverence and awe for the God of Israel often led to significant consequences for these nations, as depicted in the Scriptures.

Biblical Instances:

1. Philistines: The Philistines experienced the fear of the LORD during the time of the Ark of the Covenant. After capturing the Ark, they placed it in the temple of their god Dagon. The next morning, they found Dagon fallen on his face before the Ark. This event, along with subsequent plagues, instilled fear among the Philistines. As recorded in 1 Samuel 5:11 , "So they sent messengers and gathered all the rulers of the Philistines and said, 'Send the ark of the God of Israel away. Let it return to its own place, so that it will not kill us and our people.' For a deadly confusion had pervaded the city; the hand of God was heavy upon it."

2. Egypt: The fear of the LORD was evident in Egypt during the Exodus. The plagues that God sent upon Egypt demonstrated His power and instilled fear in Pharaoh and his people. In Exodus 9:20 , it is noted, "Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their servants and livestock to shelter."

3. Moab and Ammon: The fear of the LORD also affected the Moabites and Ammonites. In 2 Chronicles 20, when Jehoshaphat prayed for deliverance from these enemies, God caused confusion among them, leading to their defeat. The fear of the LORD was so profound that it spread to other kingdoms. As stated in 2 Chronicles 20:29 , "And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the surrounding countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel."

4. Assyria: The Assyrian Empire, known for its might and brutality, also encountered the fear of the LORD. During the reign of Hezekiah, the Assyrian king Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem. In response to Hezekiah's prayer, God sent an angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. This miraculous event is recorded in 2 Kings 19:35 , and it led to the withdrawal of the Assyrian forces, demonstrating the power and fear of the LORD.

5. Babylon: The fear of the LORD was evident in Babylon during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. After witnessing the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the power of their God. In Daniel 3:28-29 , he declared, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him... Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble, for there is no other god who can deliver in this way."

Theological Implications:

The fear of the LORD among the surrounding kingdoms underscores the universal sovereignty of God. It reveals that His power and authority are not confined to Israel but extend to all nations. This fear often led to a recognition of God's supremacy, even among pagan rulers and peoples. The biblical narrative demonstrates that the fear of the LORD can lead to both judgment and acknowledgment of His divine authority, serving as a testament to His omnipotence and the fulfillment of His purposes throughout the earth.