Title: The Names of God – Part 1
Date: June 28, 2009
Text: Exodus 3:13-15
- Introduction
- How many of us know what our name means?
- It may tell something about us or our ancestors, or how our parents thought about us, or what they expected of us
- I knew someone called Jim Smith – one of his ancestors was a smith who worked in a smithy, back in England
- One of my ancestors around 1800, was known as “old John”. He was married to someone called “Joanie Come To Bed”. I guess Joanie used to stay up late!!!
- When we name our children we think about what the name means
- It has an impact on how they see themselves and it also expresses our hopes for their success in life.
- God also has a name. In fact, he has many names, each describing a facet of His character
- Today we are going to examine 6 of these names, in the Old Testament, and see what they tell us about God.
- The Jewish Encyclopedia says “Like other Hebrew proper names, the name of God is more than a mere distinguishing title. It represents the Hebrew conception of the divine nature or character and of the relation of God to His people. It represents the Deity as He is known to His worshipers, and stands for all those attributes which He bears in relation to them and which are revealed to them through His activity on their behalf. A new manifestation of His interest or care may give rise to a new name. So, also, an old name may acquire new content and significance through new and varied experience of these sacred relations.
1. Jehovah (6823 x)
- LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals).
- Yahweh is the covenant name of God.
- From the verb "to be", havah, similar to chavah (to live), "The Self-Existent One," "I AM WHO I AM" or 'I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE" as revealed to Moses at the burning bush,
- Ex.3:13-15.
- Third century BC the Jews decided they would no longer pronounce God’s name – based on Ex 20:7 (not take name of Lord in vain), and Lev 24:11 (Jewish Encyclopedia)
- The name of God, too sacred to be uttered, abbreviated ( . . . . ) or written "YHWH" without vowel points. Known as the Tetragrammaton.
- Gen 2:4
- Deut. 6:4, 5 known to Jews as the Sh'ma uses both Jehovah and Elohim to indicate one God with a plurality of persons.
- IMPLICATION
- God exists, as opposed to all the other gods we have in our lives
- Not only that, but as the only God who lives, he is the only one who gives life
- This name sets God apart from all other Gods
- John 1:1-5 – Jesus has life and provides hope for mankind
- This is why Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)– there is no other way to life
2. Elohim (2507 x)
- The word Elohim is a plural word
- It describes God as being Transcendent, Mighty and Strong. (Jewish Encylopedia)
- It describes a God who is a God, a divine ruler and a judge (Strongs-136)
- See Gen. 1:1.
- IMPLICATION
- God is a God who is bigger than we are
- We don’t want a God who is a weakling, who is impotent to affect us
- We need a God who can bring change into the important areas of our lives
- We need a God who can and will fight our battles
3. Adonai (434 x)
- Lord in our English Bibles (Capitol letter 'L ', lower case, 'ord')
- (Adonai is plural, the sing. is "adon").
- "Master'' or "Lord" always plural when referring to God, when sing. the reference is to a human lord.
- First use of Adonai, Gen. 15:2 – used as term of reverence in the place of Jahweh
- Heavy use – 101 times in Psalms and Isaiah. 214 times by Ezek
- IMPLICATION
- Surrendering to God as our Lord and Master
- John 20:24-28 - Thomas
4. El-Shaddai (48 x – 31 x in Job)
- God Almighty or "God All Sufficient."
- First used in Gen. 17:1, 2. – Almighty, most powerful – I can perform what I have promised
- Used to have a bank as I was growing up, “get with the strength, bank Commonwealth”
- Gen 49:24-25
- IMPLICATION
- God is the most powerful being in the universe
- He is almighty, able to perform what he has promised
- He uses that incredible power to bless us
- He is like a gentle giant, taking care of us with great sensitivity
Summary
- God is Yahweh – the existing One
- God is Elohim – a God who is bigger than we are, able to change things
- God is Adonai – a God who is our Lord and Master – someone to whom we surrender
- God is El-Shaddai – the Almighty – the most powerful being in the universe
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