God’s Names describe Him

 

Today’s reading lists the names that God uses for His people. How about considering the names that God assigns to Himself? Each one reveals something to know about Him. He knows all about me, but I’ve so much to learn of Him. Even though such a study is too big to fit in this space!

Scripture gives God personal names, titles, and metaphorical descriptions of His character or abilities. Charnock wrote nearly 1000 pages to describe Him so whatever I find is a mere blip in an endless space. Charnock admits we cannot know all. Thankfully, His names do reveal some of who He is.

El and its plural form Elohim was the common term for deity in Bible languages. YHWH was the specific name given to Moses in the OT and was considered so sacred that His people eventually refused to pronounce it. This is why it contains no vowels in surviving manuscripts. Instead, they substituted the word Adonai (“my Lord”). Later translators combined these two words to produce the hybrid Yahowah—or “Jehovah” as it has become in English. Modern scholars reconstructed Yahweh which can be translated as “He who is” or “I will be who I will be” or “I am” which is the form Jesus claimed as His name.

This points to the existence of God, that He is unchanging, the Lord, and considered holy or other than pagan deity, worthy of worship, and that Jesus is God in human flesh.

When Sarah sent Hagar away and God protected her, she said: “You are a God of seeing” and “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13–14)

Such a joy to know that God is not dead but alive, and He has His eyes on His people, even me, and protects us even when others abuse or reject us. This gave great comfort to Hagar and to me also.

Another example is what God said to Abram just prior to his one-hundredth birthday: “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” (Genesis 17:1) This says that God desires for Abram a sinless life that is fruitful and blessed. This man who is called the father of faith, along with God both call me to trust God for the Lord rewards all His people with an abundant life. He is a caring, giving God.

When Moses stopped at the burning bush, God spoke and this man asked His name so he might tell others. God said:

“Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you….’ ‘The Lord, the 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 thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” (Exodus 3:13–15)

“I am” is so rich with implications. He always is and always will be. He does not die nor stop being God. Again, 1000 pages cannot begin to describe Him, only glimpses that put me on my knees. It was in this overwhelmed state that Moses sang of God…

The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Metaphor: God is a Rock. His work perfect. His way just, faithful, without sin. How can I not be overwhelmed by this God who came to earth to die for me?

Another OT passage points directly to Jesus when He comes, not the first time but at the end to establish His kingdom. In this passage, He is called the Ancient of Days and after the efforts of earthly kings, this King will win.

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:22-27)

PRAY: Jesus, I’ve been overwhelmed at Your goodness and attention to details in our lives the past few weeks. We put things in Your hands and ask Your will to be done, and are amazed each day by unexpected blessings. You are Almighty, a King and a Rock, yet so faithful to give us what we need — even before we realize we need it. Thank You are words far too small. May You be glorified and all Your names be praised!

Nothing is too hard for God . . .

ALMIGHTY God — A term to describe the God of Israel understood according to his absolute power. NT Greek word is similar: “someone whose controlling influence over reality is unlimited” referencing only God. We hear it sometimes as “El Shaddai” a divine title used in music and forty-eight times in the OT, most often in Job where the doings of God are both questioned and defended.

Early Bible versions translate this word as “all-powerful” and the word “omnipotent” is often used. Rabbis have said it means “He who is enough” or “the One who is (self-) sufficient.”

The context of God using “almighty” to describe Himself is usually in verses that charge His people to do what is impossible for them, suggesting their need to rely on Him to get it done. For instance:

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, (Genesis 17:1)

And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. (Genesis 35:11)

I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)

First, no one is blameless before God suggesting this must come from His power, not ours. Second, Abram’s wife was barren; only a powerful God could make this prophecy happen. Third, no one seeks God, never mind in an intimate relationship as His very child. All three verses point to our inability and to God’s great power.

Many other verses talk about the power of God to make things happen. A few of those are acknowledgments of His power in causing calamities:

She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:20–21)

This is not necessarily a statement of distrust and resentment. Being able to see God as sovereign and powerful in all of life is deep faith. As Job said to his wife when she told him to curse God, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10)

Almighty is used in the NT mostly in Revelation where His incredible power to deal with a sinful world is fully revealed. That power had already been demonstrated at Calvary when Jesus died for the sin of all mankind, then rose from the dead. This was omnipotence in grace and mercy. His power in Revelation is omnipotence in judgment. While this is frightening for those who do not know Jesus as their Redeemer, it is ultimate victory for God, a description that exalts His might and glorifies His Son:

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”  . . . (and the twenty-four elders said) “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” (And those who conquered the beast) sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!” . . . . Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns . . . . From (Jesus’) mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (Revelation 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 19:6; 19:15)

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. This word is for God alone. It is a faith-builder; God can do anything for He is Almighty. Nothing is too hard or impossible for Him. I can pray with confidence, knowing that when my prayers are in His will, He will do what I ask. Amen and amen!