There Is Much in a Name

Introduction:

A name in the Hebrew language helps to know much about that person, the qualities and the nature.  It is very important in understanding the concept of God.  Read Exodus 9:16.  “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”  NKJV

I.            Elohim

·       This name is called God’s primary name. It is used over 2,600 times in the Old Testament and refers to the one True God.

·       God is the Creator.  Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 5:1 “This is the book of the genealogy of Adam.  In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.” NKJV

·       God is King.  Psalm 47:7-8 “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.  God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” NKJV

·        God is Judge.  Psalm 50:6 “Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge.  Selah” NKJV

·       God is Lord.  Psalm 86:12 “I will praise You.  O Lord my God, with all my heart.  And I will glorify Your name forevermore.” NKJV

·       God is the Savior.  Hosea 13:4 “Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me.” NKJV

·       The word “Elohim” is plural.  It suggests the concept of the Trinity:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Genesis 1:26-27 “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” NKJV   

·       Isaiah 63:7-10

o   Father  Isaiah 63:7-8 “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord And the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.  For He said, ‘Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie.’  So He became their Savior.” NKJV

o   Son  [Angel of His Presence]  Isaiah 63:9 “In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them, In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;  And He bore them and carried them All the days of old.” NKJV

o   Spirit  Isaiah 63:10 “But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.” NKJV

o   Oneness of nature and plan or purpose  Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” NKJV

·       The word may derive from a root that means fear, reverence, and respect.  This should cause us to think! 

II.          YHWH

·       No one knows how it is to be pronounced.  Most likely “Yahweh.”  Up until the Middle Ages only consonants YHWH appear in the Hebrew Bible.  The vowels from another name of God were added.

·       YHWH appears over 5,300 times in the Old Testament.  The meaning is “to be or to exist,” not being dependent on anyone or anything.  This stresses that God has always been and has always existed.  He never changes.  Exodus 3:13-15 “Then Moses said to God, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ ‘what shall I say to them?’  And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’  And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’  Moreover God said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel:  ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.  This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’ ” NKJV  The name was chosen by God as His personal name. 

·       Note:  John 8:56-59 “ ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’  Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’  Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” NKJV

·       Revelation 1:4 “John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:  Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,” NKJV  Revelation 4:8 “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within.  And they do not rest day or night, saying:  ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!’ ” NKJV

·       Jehovah often is translated from YHWH.  Sometimes it is called His covenant name, the name used when making covenants.  Such is the covenant with Abram in Genesis 12:1-3. “Now the Lord had said to Abram:  ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” NKJV  Also Leviticus 26:45 “But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God:  I am the Lord.’” NKJV – Lord (Jehovah)

Invitation:

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” NKJV  Lord (Jehovah)  What does the Lord mean to you?  Is He truly your Lord? 

Bobby Stafford 

October 15, 2017