11-20-2021         Names of God

         

We’ve seen how the “Essence of Love” impacts, or should impact our lives.  We stated that understanding the names by which God, the Father, is known can help us with that understanding.  The qualities and/or characteristics of God can give insight into who He truly is and why we can be assured that He always has our best interests at heart.

We are going to take a look at the name YHWH or YAHWEH or Jehova.  The four letters, read from right to left, are “yodh, he, waw”.  My understanding is the “Jehovah” wasn’t actually used until the 1901 American Standard Bible.  And at that, I understand, may have been a mispronunciation of “Yahweh”.  Nonetheless, that’s the name we are most familiar with today.   

Welcome to the first installment on the names of God.

YHWH with no vowels is how the Hebrews originally expressed the name of God and according to multiple resources, God’s name was considered to be too holy to be spoken aloud.  I guess that when God told Moses not to take the” Lord’s name” in vain (Exod. 20:7) it might have been easier to not speak His name at all rather than take a chance of messing it up.

Over this and the next two posts, we’re going to look at three group listing of the names of God.  The first is YHWH (Jehovah), the second will be derivatives from “El”, and the third will be qualities of who God is and not necessarily ‘names’ by which He is known.  I’ve used two primary resources for this presentation, http://www.godisreal.today/names-of-god/, http://www.navigators.org.Tools/Discipleship%20Resources/Tools/.  And, of course, I’ve added my comments.  I listed several resources for the ‘name of God’ in “Essence of Love, pt. 3” which you may also refer to.

 Let’s take a look at the Yahweh, or Jehovah, based designations of God

Jehovah (Yahweh) [Jeh ho vaw]

The self-existent One. He has always existed and will always exist. You can always rely on Him because He is our eternal source of strength.  He is the only self-complete, independent being – I AM THAT I AM.  All name references are according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

Scriptural references: (Genesis 1:1-2, 2:4; Exodus 3:13-15 [1-22]; Exodus 6:1-4; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2)

Jehovah (H3068), scripturally, is used only in the Old Testament.  It is the traditional name of God (Storng’s) which is described as self-existent or eternal.  God identifies Himself as ‘The Alpha and Omega’, the first and the last, He who lived and was dead and lives for evermore (Rev. 1:11, 1:18)

In brief, God has always existed and will always exist.  We know, in Genesis chapter one, He created all that is (Gen. 1:1-31). 

   Jehovah-Maccaddeshem [… mac cad deshem]

The Lord our sanctifier. He forgives our sins and His Holy Spirit works in our lives to become like He is: pure, loving and true.  He is separate from all that is evil.

(Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:7-8; Ezekiel 37:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Father sanctifies us or makes us holy, clean or pure so we will be ready when Jesus either calls us home or comes for us in the last days.

Jehovah-Rohi [… row hee]

The Lord our shepherd. He cares for us, the way a shepherd tends his sheep. He cares for us and leads us to still waters and green pastures.

(Psalm 23:1-6, 80:1, 95:7; Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:12; John 10:11)

The shepherd knows His sheep.  He feeds them, guides them and even helps them rest when they need it.  through “Spiritual” guidance, we also learn how to live life.  The sheep learn and know their shepherd’s voice.  Do we know the voice of Jesus?  Are we obedient to that voice?

Jehovah-Shammah [… shawm maw]

The Lord who is present. He never leaves us, nor forsakes us. He is with us forever. Our best friend, who never betrays us.

(Genesis 28:15; Psalm 23:4, 46:1, 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Ezekiel 48:35; Amos 5:14; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)

The Lord is always with us (H3074) and will never leave us nor forsake us.  We may not always realize Father’s presence, but remember, the Holy Ghost is with us and in us (John 14:17) so He IS always with us. 

Jehovah-Rapha [… rah fu]

The Lord our healer. “By His stripes were are healed” declares the Bible. Jesus Christ died to give us life. Not only was God the healer in the Old Testament, but Jesus Christ revealed the healing heart of God for all of us, more than ever.

(Exodus 15:26; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 6:2, 41:4, 103:3, 147:3; Isaiah 19:22, 57:18-19; Jeremiah 3:22, 17:14, 30:17; Matthew 8:5-7; Luke 4:18)

 Jesus tells us to love Father with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 14:30) and believe that we receive (Mark 11:24) and we shall receive healing and more.  Jesus went back to His hometown and could only heal a few sick folks because the people’s unbelief (Matt. 13:58).  How can we receive what we don’t believe?  Believe, receive and be healed!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Jehovah-Tsidkenu [… tsid kay noo]

The Lord our righteousness. When we believe in Jesus Christ, He becomes our righteousness. He forgives our sins and washes us with His blood.

(Psalm 4:1, 5:8, 24:5, 31:1, 36:10, 71:15, 89:16; Jeremiah 23:6; Rom. 3:25)

Being righteous is doing that which is the right thing to do (H3072).  However, this is not according to what we consider right, but knowing and following God’s principles!  Father always does what is right for us, our own good (Rom. 8:27-28) because we seek Him first (Matt. 6:31-34) then do as the Holy Spirit leads (Psalm 143:8, Mark 13:11).  In and of ourselves we cannot obtain righteousness but Jesus has become our righteousness (1 Corinth. 1:30).

Jehovah-Jireh […Yir eh]

The Lord will provide. Jesus Christ said that Father cares for us and we never need to worry about provision. He is our source of life, in every way.  (Genesis 22:13-14; Phil. 4:19)

Strong’s reference to God’s provision is H3070 (Gen. 22:14).  God will see to it.  That is it is He who will make sure it gets done.  He does provide for us out of His riches in glory.  He knows our needs (Mat. 6:8) and will meet them (Rom. 8:27).  All we have to do is ask, believe and trust Him (Matt. 7:7, Mark 11:24, Prov. 3:5-6). 

Jehovah-Nissi […nis ee]

The Lord our banner. The Lord gives us the victory in spiritual warfare. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord raises a banner of His love over us and covers us. He wages war on our behalf and makes us more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.  (Exodus 17:15; Rom. 8:37; 1Corinth. 15:57)

Father sets His banner over us.  A banner is a flag or symbol (H3071) designating our allegiance.  God’s love, to some degree, should be evident to others, in our lives and that His love in us and through us is His banner over us.  The banner also implies that we are under the protection of what, or who, is portrayed by that banner, that is we have refuge in that source (Psalm 46:1).

Jehovah-Shalom [… shaw lome]

The Lord is peace. Whenever there are storms in your life, hide in Him. He is your shelter in the storm. He gives peace beyond understanding, even when circumstances are chaotic. He is our shelter and our shield.   (Judges 6:24; Psalm 23: Psalm 23:1-6; John 14:27; Rom. 5:1)

God IS our peace (H3073)  Gideon built an altar to designate God’s promise of peace.  God gives us a peace which surpasses all understanding which keeps our hearts (no matter what) (Phil. 4:7).  As we abide in His will, His peace is with us (Phil. 4:6-9).  No matter how terrible a situation may seem, trust in the Lord and He will keep us calm, cool and collect.  We won’t be overcome with anxiety as we trust in Him.  Jesus gives us His peace so He is now, our source for peace.

Jehovah-Sabaoth [… saa buh owt]

The Lord of Hosts. The Bible mentions myriads of angels, who wage war against the armies of hell, which try to destroy mankind. Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts, the Captain of the armies of heaven.  (1 Samuel 17:45; 2 Samuel 6:2, 7:26-27; 1Kings 22:19;  1 Chronicles 11:9; Psalm 46:7; Isaiah 6:1-3; Luke 2:13-15; Rom. 9:29; James 5:4).

Sabaoth (G4519) is Greek for armies or military.  A heavenly host appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of our Lord, Jesus.  On the mount, when the Romans came to arrest Him, Jesus told His disciples He could call upon Father and more than twelve legions of angels would come (Matt. 26:53).  In the Roman army, a legion would range between 3000 and 6000 troops.  Remember 1/3 of the angels were cast out of heaven, leaving 2/3 with Father (Rev. 12:3-4).  So, Father is the head of whole bunches and bunches and bunches of angels.  Thousands, millions, ???.  who knows how many (Father does)?  We have a lot of heavenly support!   

Jehovah-Ghmolah [gmow lah]

The God of Recompense. The Lord says in Romans 12 “vengeance is mine, I will repay.” We should never avenge others for what they do to us, but leave it in God’s hands.  (Deut. 33:35; Isa. 61:6-7; Jeremiah 51:6; Matt. 5:44; Rom 12: 17-21; Col. 2:13-14; 1 Peter 5:10).

Jesus tells us to love and do good to those who do us ill will.  Father will repay our enemies accordingly as they have done to us BUT He will also give back to us what we have lost.  Recompense is not getting back “just” what we lost, but more.  Job received double for his trouble (Job 42:10; Matt. 19:29).  Yet, consider Moses who considered what Chris offers greater than the riches of Egypt (Heb. 11:24-29).  And don’t forget Paul who consider also considered knowing Jesus better than anything the world could offer (Phil.3:7-8).  It’s nice to receive, but e also need t keep things in perspective.

Again, this is just a starter on God’s names.  Next, we’ll look at those names/qualities that compound with “El”.  God bless.

Amen