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!

What’s in a name?

Some cultures believe that a name describes our character or what that character should be. This was especially true for the people of God in the Old Testament. While this cannot be taken too far, a study of names can produce surprising insights. Many places and people have names that are related to a reality or event.

God is described with several names that are rich in meaning. However, at least one religious cult says that the proper name of God is Jehovah and since they use that name, they claim to be the only true believers. They get this from God’s encounter with Moses, but unfortunately didn’t do their homework.

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:13–14)

I don’t know much about the Hebrew language so consulted people who do. From several, I learned that this name was not a new revelation. The OT people who believed in God already knew the word translated ‘I AM.’ However, this word is a challenge. It is four consonants without vowels. The proper pronunciation has been lost. It could be: “I am He who is,” or “I am He who exists” reflecting the “is-ness” of God by both His presence and existence. Both are important.

He already told His people that He would be with them in their troubles. While the term speaks of God’s self-existence, they associated it with His relationship to them as their faithful, covenant Redeemer. It also refers to God as creator and sustainer of all that is and all that is happening. He is active and present in their lives. Moses may have understood what He said as, “I cause to be because I cause to be.”

In this encounter with Moses, God authorized him to tell His people: “I AM” has sent me to you,” making this man His prophet who was assigned to speak on His behalf to the Israelites.

In summary, God’s name is a dynamic name based on a Hebrew verb. He is the self-existent One who always was, always is, and always will be, the faithful and dependable God who calls Himself “I AM.” Centuries later, Jesus would take the name “I AM” and even complete it saying: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “I am the light of the world” (8:12), “I am the true vine” (15:1), and so on.

There is no one like God. Tozer says, “When God would make His name known to mankind He could find no better word than ‘I AM.’ When He speaks in the first person He says, ‘I AM’; when we speak of Him we say, ‘He is’; when we speak to Him we say, ‘Thou art.’ Everyone and everything else measures from that fixed point. ‘I am that I am,’ says God, ‘I change not.’”

People often say that people never change, but that is not true. Children grow; their ideas and values change along with their bodies. My husband has changed in the years we have been married. I have changed too, become less concerned with my well-being and more interested in others. Everyone I know changes as they learn and age.

Sometimes people change in negative ways, whether their ‘real’ self comes out or they become hardened by life. This is often disappointing, particularly if they were people we counted on to stay the same.

Even though this never happened to me, this promise is a blessing: “When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.” (Psalm 27:10, NKJV)

He never changes. He might not explain Himself, or let me in on His plans, but He never forsakes me, and He always uses all things for my good, transforming my life as He promises.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

That ‘good’ is to be like Jesus (verse 29), to be the very best person I can be and that promise also affirms that people do change — in the hands of an unchangeable God. He is who He is. I can depend upon Him.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, faith in You has transformed my life. When I think of You as the same yesterday, today, and forever, I feel anchored, held firm by You. You are my rock. I know I can depend on You, the I AM in a chaotic and constantly changing world.

Names of God

In my studies, I’ve been captivated by the way God is described using analogies. That is, His Word uses ordinary words to help me understand Him, words that by themselves would not do that, but because they are given and understood in the power of God’s Spirit, I can know something about His character, His essence. Today’s Scripture passage gives an example of this analogical language . . .  

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:5–6)

God the Son is described in vivid picture language. He is a lion, a root, a conqueror, yet also a very unusual lamb. These, particularly the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb that has been slain, say much about the nature and character of Jesus Christ.

The title of Lion may have come from Jacob’s blessing on his son Judah using reference to a lion, likely because of the valiant future of his descendents. Jesus came from his lineage. He is called the root of David as David also came from this lineage. However, the “lion” designation also describes a strong, majestic animal. A lion was used as the symbol for Christ in The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, a popular fiction series. We call lions the king of beasts.

However, Jesus is also called a Lamb. I notice that the Lion was able to open the book in the vision from Revelation, but it was the Lamb that actually did it. When this Lamb acted, those around the throne sang a new song . . .

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9–10)

A lion can be thought of as a devourer that slaughters others, even defenseless lambs, yet Christ is represented as both, even a lamb that had the marks of one who had been slain. This brings together a picture of Christ’s admirable virtues. The lion may excel in strength, but the lamb excels in meekness and patience. It suggests also a source of food and wool, but mostly a suitable offering for sacrifice. The context suggests what the rest of Scripture confirms, that the sacrifice of the Lamb makes Jesus worthy of our worship.

Another verse shows more of this language.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

These multiplied images show a conjunction of virtues in the same Person. That is, Jesus is a son but also the everlasting Father. He is a child yet rules the world as Prince of Peace. He is a Wonderful Counselor and the Mighty God, all in the same Person.

It is from the analogies used in the Bible that I understand that God is more than words can describe. He is called by a variety of names and represented with a variety of descriptions because no one name or image can give me a complete picture. Even with those, I get it that God is beyond human understanding, yet amazing in that he perfects ordinary language to the degree that it can be used in His Word and by His Spirit to speak of who He is. 

The all-inclusive Name of the Lord

Familiar words: “Call somebody and get it fixed.” But who do I call?

On my way to the Yellow Pages, I’m thinking about the nature of the problem. I don’t call a carpet layer if the roof is leaking. I don’t call a plumber if my stove is not working.

As I find the right category of help, then there is the issue of picking the right somebody. Will it be someone in my part of town? Someone well-known? Someone we have relied on prior to this particular problem? Calling somebody to get it fixed isn’t always easy. It certainly isn’t as easy as prayer.

Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. (Psalm 106:8)

In today’s final entry using this verse, Ralph Erskine writes about calling on God when I have needs or problems. I don’t resort to the Yellow Pages, but it does help to figure out the nature of the problem. However, at times, I just cry out “help me” and know that He hears that call and knows what I need.

The Lord God saved me for His name’s sake, and God has many names. Because of who He is, I can admire His goodness and praise His name for His mercy, truth, faithfulness and so great a salvation.

All that is true and helpful for praise, yet He has a name that suits every plea for help. If I need wonders to be performed, His name is Wonderful. If I need counsel and direction, His name is Counselor. If I have big problems, then His name is Almighty God. If I need fatherly pity, His name is Everlasting Father. When I need peace — external, internal, or eternal — His name is the Prince of Peace. If I need healing, His name is Jehovah-Rophi, the Lord who heals. 

I always need goodness to fill my lack of it, and His name is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness. Whenever I need defense and protection, His name is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our banner. If I need provision in any extreme way, His name is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide.

Some needs require asking yet a few are always met without asking — the need of His presence, for example. His name is Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there and Immanuel, God with us. He will never leave me or forsake me.

I can count on Him to listen also, because His name is the Hearer of prayer. I can rely on Him when I am weak (which is all the time) because His name is the Strength of Israel. He will comfort me because His name is the Consolation of Israel and shelter me because His name is the City of Refuge.

If I have nothing and need everything, then He is my All in All. He has a name suitable to supply all that I need. He has wisdom to guide me, power to keep me, mercy to pity me, truth to shield me, holiness to sanctify me, righteousness to justify me, grace to bless me, and glory to crown me. I can trust in Him because He saves for His name’s sake.

So be it!

Amen is a unique word. One of my dictionaries says that it was transliterated directly from Old Testament Hebrew into New Testament Greek, then into Latin and into English and many other languages. This makes it practically a universal word. Some say it is the best-known word in human speech.

People say Amen when they want to affirm their agreement with something. These days, that could be anything, but in the Bible it was associated with certainty and solemnness. It means “it is the truth” and could begin a statement of truth, even be doubled for emphasis or style. Here are two examples: 

For truly (amen), I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18)

And he said to him, “Truly, truly, (amen, amen) I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)

Amen is also used at the end of a passage in Scripture such as in Romans 11:36, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Amen is directly related and almost identical to the Hebrew word for “believe” (amam), or faithful, so Amen came to mean “sure” or “truly” and an expression of absolute trust and confidence. Its use was a custom that began in the Jewish synagogues and became part of Christian gatherings. When someone read or preached or offered prayer to God, the others responded with Amen. This meant that they were stating that the substance of what was said was also their own; they totally agreed with it.

It is also used one more way. As many times as I’ve read the following verse, this didn’t register in my mind until today that Amen is also a title for Jesus Christ. 

The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. (Revelation 3:14)

By calling Jesus the Amen, the Bible affirms that He is the ultimate certainty, the supreme faithful one. He is the only One that can be absolutely trusted. When I say Amen, I am claiming truth, embodied in the One who said, “I am the Truth” and affirming that I am totally agreeing with all that He is, says and does. (One note, in this verse, “beginning” means the “origin or active cause.”)

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Lord, sometimes I say Amen rather casually, such as when someone says they like a certain movie or a brand of cookie and I agree. No more. I see how this word is another way of declaring who You are. I’m actually saying one of Your names. I do not want to trivialize this because I see now the importance of this word. Besides the word itself, many rich thoughts that go with it. You are the ultimate Amen, the only secure and completely trustworthy person I know. I want to glorify You each time I say Your name, each time that I utter Amen.

Name above all names

September 1, 2008

As a young person, I didn’t like my name. No one else had it except the Borden company mascot used in advertising, a cow. She had long eyelashes, but she was still a cow. So I was teased in school. One boy who liked me and dated me, still called me Cow at times. Had that been anyone else, I’m sure I would have died of total humiliation.

After I became a Christian and discovered that names have meanings, I found out that my name is a derivative of Elizabeth and it means “consecrated to God.” At that, my attitude toward my name became much more positive.

People of other cultures often choose names according to what they want their children to become or and the names selected often seem to fit characteristics that show up in their adult lives. This was particularly true of Israel.

Perhaps this naming thing came from the way God revealed Himself in various names. Each one is descriptive of His character and what He does.

For instance, God is called Elohim. My Bible dictionary says this is a plural form (for the triune God), but can be treated as a singular noun representing one supreme deity. It is usually rendered ‘God’ in the Bible. Like its English equivalent, Elohim is grammatically considered as a common noun and conveys the idea of all that belongs to the concept of deity— in contrast with man and other created beings. This name is appropriate because there is only one supreme and true God. Since He is a Person, Elohim approaches the character of a proper noun, while not losing its abstract and conceptual quality.

My devotional verse today is Jeremiah 23:6. It says, “In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

The LORD is commonly used in the Old Testament for the name given to Moses by God at the burning bush. It was only four letters, so no one is totally certain how to say it or spell it, but it is most often rendered Jehovah. This name means “self-existing One” or the God who is. It was considered such a holy name, that the Jews would not say it, therefore the substitution in the Bible of the LORD, signifying Jehovah and God’s incommunicable name.

In Scripture, when this name is used in relation to created things, it expresses only some peculiar connection those things have with Jehovah. For instance, Exodus 17:15 says, “And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner” or Jehovah-Nissi.

This proper noun is also applied to the Messiah and when used that way, it expresses His deity. 1 Timothy 3:16 describes it this way: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”

This and other Scripture speaks of God and Jesus Christ as One, and the entire Bible is the story of how the triune God works in justifying His people. God does not wave a magic wand and make us into perfect people. Instead, He sends His Spirit to live in our hearts and in the mystery that is godliness, Jesus becomes our righteousness.

That is, I am still here without anything that merits the favor of God. But Jesus is here too, and when God looks at me, He sees me “in Christ” and having His righteousness. Any goodness, any godliness is not mine but His, as a gift to me and the Holy Spirit enables me to express that gift.

Today I was hoping for a practical answer to a question I have about life, and God gave me this. He wants to lift me above my question (for now) and think about what I have in Jesus Christ. He is my righteousness and today I will reflect on that and be grateful for who the LORD is and what the LORD has done.