Jehovah (YHWH)
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Introduction
Introduction
This evening we are moving to the next name of God on our chart. We just finished Adonai. Again, you must remember that Adonai is more of a title than a name. Adonai means Lord or Master. Thus, He is the Lord God, Lord Jehovah, or, as we know Him in the New Testament, He is the Lord Jesus Christ.
The next name of God for our consideration is YHWH, as distinguished in many Rabbinical writings as “Jehovah.”
This name of God is often called “THE Name,” “The Great and Terrible Name,” “The Peculiar Name,” “The Separate Name,” “The Unutterable Name,” “The Ineffable Name,” “The In-communicate Name,” “The Holy Name,” “The Distinguished Name.”
It is also known as “The Name of the Four Letters” since it is spelled “YHWH” in Hebrew. In theological circles, it is known as the Tetragrammaton, or “four-lettered name.”
For the Jewish scribe, this name is so august that even today, they refrain from writing it or pronouncing it. It is so revered that over time its exact pronunciation has been lost. In fact, many agree that “Jehovah” is not an altogether correct rendering of this name for God.
The name Jehovah (YHWH) occurs about 7,000 times in the Old Testament. In the Psalms along, it is used some 700 times. It is generally printed in our KJV Bible in all capital letters distinguishing it from Adonai (Lord). The English rendering “LORD” is always applied to God known as Jehovah - The Self Existing One.
Earlier, we studied His name, “Elohim.” If you recall, we understood that name as it relates to a covenant relationship. Concerning God, He is “Elohim,” whose covenant relationships will never be broken. When we come to the name “Jehovah (YHWH),” we will see God as Love and righteous. His righteousness must judge evil wherever it exists and at whatever cost. God is both “Elohim” and “Jehovah.” Each gives us a different viewpoint of God, His nature, and His relationship with men. “Elohim” leads us to understand that God is our Savior. However, on the other hand, “Jehovah” helps see what it cost God to make us “partakers of His holiness.”
A More Exact Understanding of the Difference in Names
A More Exact Understanding of the Difference in Names
Let me attempt to lead you to a more precise understanding of the difference between the two names, “Elohim” and “Jehovah.”
Remember, He is still God who is unchanging. He is perfect; Love. However, different aspects and characteristics are revealed about Him as Love and Truth in the names “Elohim” and “Jehovah.” You might recall the words in 1 John that state this.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
God is absolutely Love. However, one of His greatest expressions of Love is His Love for righteousness.
He is Love and His name “Elohim” centers on this aspect. “Jehovah (YHWH),” on the other hand, reveals Him as TRUTH.
Truth is an expression. Love always expresses itself in Truth. With that in mind, we come to know Christ as LOVE. It is who He is. God as Love then articulates Himself always in Truth.
ILLUSTRATION: Parent’s have an unchanging love for their children. It is a love that cannot change despite a child’s faults or failures. This is Love as it exists. You might say it is Love in its BEING. Expression of such Love varies. Love is breached if a child rebels, a friend deceives us, or a mate becomes unfaithful. At that moment, you must do what is correct or truthful. You have to discipline the child for the wrong they have done. You have to confront the friend who has deceived you. You have to demonstrate acts of kindness to the unfaithful. I believe all I speak about can be seen in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount when He said these words.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Love is BEING. Love is expressed by doing what is right or proper. Thus, the expression of Love is Truth. I may not necessarily enjoy being around my enemy, but if I am going to LOVE as Christ loved, I will express that Love by my obedience to Truth. I will bless them, do good to them, and pray for them. Love is defined by TRUTH.
In this way, Scripture presents us with these views of God. The first is “Elohim” and that He is LOVE.
Love demands He cares for us and works on us as fallen creatures. His LOVE is that He can never leave or forsake us.
The second view is the EXPRESSION of His Love. It is the essence of His name, “Jehovah.”
As a God of perfect Love, He must be a God of Truth. All resulted in His Love for righteousness and His desire for all men to be righteous. All these tie into our relationship with Him. If God’s Love for righteousness is perfect even as He is perfect, any sin results in a breach in our relationship with “Jehovah” and us as His creatures.
We must know and understand both of these views. We need to see God as “Elohim.” This name is the beginning of His revelation to us. However, to fully understand God, we need to understand more than just what is revealed as “Elohim.” It is in the name “Elohim” that we see God whose Love works with and overcomes all and whose will prevails no matter the circumstances. If there is nothing else revealed about Him other than His name “Elohim,” we find not proper knowledge of righteousness and sin. In other words, God becomes only a Sovereign God judging men without any hope or assurance of escape from His wrath. Yet, in the name “Jehovah,” we find a more profound knowledge of righteousness and sin and an understanding of how our sin wounds Him deeply. Such knowledge, in conjunction with God’s Spirit and His Word, is revealed, making “the man of God perfect.”
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The Significance of “Jehovah” and “Elohim” in Genesis
The Significance of “Jehovah” and “Elohim” in Genesis
As we already stated, “Jehovah” is used around 7,000 times in the Old Testament. An interesting study of these two names is found early in Genesis. The name “Jehovah” often supplements the name “Elohim.” We see the name “Elohim” introduced to us in the first three chapters of Genesis. Turn in your Bibles to Genesis chapters 2 and 3. I want you to take a moment, and note/underline how many times you see the name “LORD God” listed in these two chapters.
Give everyone a moment and then ask for someone to give the number of times.
So each time it is listed, we find then it is “LORD God” or, in the Hebrew, “Jehovah (YHWH) Elohim.”
The Omission of His Name “Jehovah” to the Fall of Man
The Omission of His Name “Jehovah” to the Fall of Man
Now, look carefully at these verses in Genesis 3 and let’s see something exciting.
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Other than the first mention of God as “LORD God,” what name is used to reference God? It is “Elohim.” Who uses the word “Elohim” and not the phrase “Jehovah Elohim?” Satan and Eve both use only the name “Elohim.” We see Satan using only “Elohim” twice, and we see Eve utilizing the same name once. Both omitted His name, “Jehovah (YHWH).” It is as if they both shut their eyes to God except for His covenant relationship. In fact, the focus is only on the covenant He made with Adam and Eve.
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Interestingly, they intentionally left out His name, “Jehovah.”
“Jehovah” carries within itself its own meaning. It is formed of two tenses of the Hebrew verb, “havah,” which is in English the being verb “to be.” Thus, it means “One who is what He is.”
We understand this more when God reveals Himself to Moses by saying these words.
11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
The words “I Am that I Am” express what God is. Thus, the name “Jehovah” expresses who God is. It is an expression of God’s being. What is God? He is a spirit. He is Love. He is just. He is holy. There is not a single iota of evil or wickedness within God. He is “I Am that I Am.” As “Jehovah,” the Cherubim and the Seraphim continually cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD (Jehovah, YHWH, I am that I am) of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Jehovah requires that His people, “Be holy, for I am holy.” He is then a being that loves righteousness and hates iniquity. He finds all evil to be hostile and incompatible with His very nature wherever it exists. For that reason, He must oppose and judge sin whenever encountered by Him. His opposition to evil opens a depth of knowledge about Him that can only be seen in the name “Jehovah.” It is why Satan left out the name “Jehovah” and used only His covenant name “Elohim.”
The Correlation of His Name “Jehovah” to the Creation of Man
The Correlation of His Name “Jehovah” to the Creation of Man
Now, let’s go back to Genesis and note an interesting correlation to man.
Look at chapter 1 of Genesis. Do you see the name “Jehovah” given in that chapter? The answer is no. We only see His name “Elohim.”
Look at this verse with me.
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
What I want you to note is this. From that verse until verse 26, God creates all animal life over two days. He makes all sea creatures, flying creatures, and land creatures. All of them were creatures who “hath life.” He, on the sixth day, makes man.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
As you move into the next chapter, Genesis 2, we find God gives us an expanded account of day six. He provides us with more detail about how He created man, assigned man tasks, how there was no help meet for man, and how He created women. Now look and scan through that chapter! What do you find as far as the name of God now? Do you see how God reveals himself not just as “Elohim,” but He now provides a crucial element by giving His name as “Jehovah Elohim.”
What is the difference?
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Note this. God does not reveal himself as “Jehovah” until He makes man a living soul made in His image. Something else changes?
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
In chapter 1, God blesses man. However, in chapter 2, God commands man. In a sense, Genesis 2 places man under God’s law. Yet, as God places man under the His law, God also provides a beautiful picture of God marking quality and seeking righteousness. Note this verse.
9 And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Do you see it? Do you see the two trees? What are they? They are the tree of LIFE and the tree of KNOWLEDGE of good and evil. Even by the two trees, God planted in the garden, we learn about who He is and how He expresses Himself. God places man under His law saying, “Thou mayest eat” and “Thou shalt not eat.” God gave man explicit instructions on what was right and not right. He even provided the consequences that would accompany disobedience. We all know the story. Man did indeed disobey. God pronounced judgment. Man was sent out of the garden, condemned to work by the sweat of the brow, and returned to the ground from which he was created. However, God did not judge them and left them without hope. Even with His judgment of man, He gave a promise of deliverance.
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
What do we see of God here? We see One whose Love is an expression of Who He is. He is One whose will can be obeyed and disobeyed. We have then a picture of how sin wounds deeply our God who by His very nature loves righteousness and disdains sin. However, when it is violated, it is not without impunity.
Think about the Garden of Eden scene once again as we close. God creates man in His own image as a living soul. He provides man a beautiful paradise with every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. He does all this so that He, as God, can come down and converse with man. Since He is holy, He gives man a commandment, which is holy, just, and good. And then, at the word of a serpent, man prefer’s Satan’s word over God’s, resulting in paradise emptied of its heir. Sin mars Jehovah’s work. It breaks His holy law.
The Operation of Noah based on God’s Names - Elohim & Jehovah
The Operation of Noah based on God’s Names - Elohim & Jehovah
Let’s take one more example which demonstrates the different implications of these two names. This example comes from the story of Noah and God’s judgement of men with a worldwide flood.
Look with me at Genesis 6:8
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Whose eyes did Noah find grace? He found in the Jehovah’s eyes. Scripture does not use the name “Elohim” here. Now look at the very next verse.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Again, you will note that Noah walked with who? He walked with God. Now we see the Holy Spirit use the name “Elohim.’ Why the different uses in these two verse?
Remember that Jehovah reflects God’s holiness. It is Jehovah we see in Isaiah 6 where the heavenly cherubims veil their faces crying “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD (Jehovah).” It is also good for us to remember that Jehovah Himself told Moses the following.
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
“Elohim” is a name related to covenants and relationships. God reveals Himself as “Elohim” loving others through covenant relationships. For that reason, both Noah and Enoch “walked with God (Elohim).” Yet, in Noah’s case, he found grace in the eyes “Jehovah.” How did he manage to do that? The answer is found in in verse 9.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
He was just man and perfect in his generations. In other words, Noah sought the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Now note the significance of Genesis 6:5
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
This is one instance where “GOD” is used instead of “LORD” for the name Jehovah. In Hebrew, it is “Jehovah.” Thus, “Jehovah” saw the wickedness of man and how much it had grown. It was so bad that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Therefore, “Jehovah,” the God of righteousness and holiness, noted the evil and knew that it must be judged.
6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Now jump down to verses 11-13.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Now we see “Elohim.” But there is something interesting here. God as Jehovah knew He needed to judge the sin and wickedness as He is Righteousness. However, as “Elohim,” a God of covenant relationships, He made a way for men to live as He kept His covenant with man. He instructs Noah to build an ark. “Jehovah” says “I will destroy man.” “Elohim” says the same “I will destroy them,” but then tells Noah.
14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
Hopefully you are seeing the importance of both names here. Both are God, yet, they show two very important characteristics of God. As Jehovah, He must judge sin for He is Righteous. However, as Elohim, He loves man and keeps His promises to man through wonderful actions of grace and love. There is more with this story.
Look at Genesis 6:22
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Now compare that with Genesis 7:5
5 And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.
In both verses, Noah was obedient. However, the difference is these two verses are the names of God. The first is Elohim and the second was Jehovah. Why the difference? At the end of Genesis 6, Elohim instructs Noah and his family to do the following.
18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
But when we come to chapter 7, Jehovah further instructs Noah and his family to do something else.
2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.
3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.
Have you ever wondered why God instructed them gather two of all beast, but them seven of all “clean” beasts? The answer is simple. Which animals were to be used in sacrifices to God? It is the “clean” beasts. Jehovah, the God of Righteousness, demands the right kind of sacrifice so that judgment might be stayed. In fact, as soon as Noah exits the ark on to dry land, what is his first action?
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Note which name is used in these two verses! It is the name Jehovah. God’s righteousness was appeased by the righteous acts of Noah in his sacrifice. You see God’s righteousness demands the right kind of sacrifice which thwarts His judgement upon sin. We see in God’s dealing with Israel the night before their release from Egyptian bondage. They were to place the blood of a “clean” animal on the doorposts. In doing so, God’s judgment of sin passed over their house. All of this is a precursor to Christ’s coming and, ultimately, His death at Calvary. His blood paid the ransom for our sin. It was Jehovah’s blood that satisfied Jehovah’s judgment.
The Relationship of Jehovah to Israel
The Relationship of Jehovah to Israel
As we move further into the Old Testament, we find a very special relationship between Israel and God. As already noted, God revealed himself and His name, Jehovah, to Israel. He was their God and they were His people fulfilling His covenant to Abraham.
Studying the Old Testament as a whole, from the Law to the Prophets and the Psalms, we find that “Jehovah” always speaks as the One who loves righteousness.
His love for righteousness requires His people to be like Him.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
The essence of these two verses is they were to be like Jehovah their God.
Every word spoken by Jehovah was a demand for His people to be like Him.
He insisted they have the same love for righteousness as He did. This thought permeates the Law as God repeatedly promises blessing for righteousness and warns them about punishment for unrighteousness.
3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;
15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant:
16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
The greatest offence of Israel is they did not obey. Hence, they were not the holy people walking as Jehovah as He instructed them to be.
A further proof of Jehovah and His love for righteousness was the tabernacle and, later, the temple. Everything from the offering to the priests and the instruments used in the temple were appointed for service of “Jehovah.” The requirements of the tabernacle and its offering all pointed to the ultimate requirement which was the shedding of blood. A requirement that is the good of all men. It was requirement that needed to be satisfied. Thus the endless sacrifices, the pouring out of life, and giving of their best to Him marked their worship. All of which screamed with a loud voice that they were to be holy even as He was holy.
44 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
45 For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
All of this brings us back to the moment God says to Moses.
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord:
3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
The fact remains that God is always “Jehovah.” However, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they had yet to know Him as Jehovah. He was to them “Elohim”, that is, the God of covenant. They even knew Him as “God Almighty” (El Shaddai). However, it is not until Israel is redeemed from the bondage of Egypt and given them the Law that He says to them “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” At that moment, the full importance of His name “Jehovah” was revealed to Israel. Eve knew it, for she knew judgment. Noah knew it, for he physically witnesses the destruction of the entire world.
In the prophets, we see this witness of Jehovah.
8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.
12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.
This is the same message of the Law taken up by the prophets. They were ceaseless witnesses of Jehovah. They cried and proclaimed His righteousness and His demand of righteousness sounding their voices like trumpets.
The prophet Jeremiah claimed...
3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Ezekiel proclaimed...
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
The testimony of Jehovah never changes. Even in the Psalms we read the following.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, And an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.
Unfortunately, as it is with sinful men, Israel demonstrated how so few consider the fact sin grieves and wounds Jehovah. Time and time again, sin reigns as it did in Eden and even before the Flood. Repeatedly, Jehovah judges sin. And each time, He suffers as His people are disobedient. Yet we fail to see how much pain it brings to Him to continually judge the unrighteousness of men.
We see a great picture of this in the book of Judges.
6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.
7 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.
15 And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.
16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
Jehovah was “grieved” for Israel’s misery. It hurt Him to see them suffer. However, they were the ones at fault? They failed to be the holy people He so longed for them to be. Instead, they kept going after the unrighteousness of this world. Each time forcing Jehovah to judge them and each time hurting the very heart of God.
Note God’s heart in this Psalm as He journeyed with Israel through the wilderness for forty years.
9 When your fathers tempted me, Proved me, and saw my work.
10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, And said, It is a people that do err in their heart, And they have not known my ways:
11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath That they should not enter into my rest.
The Revelation of Jehovah in the Lord Jesus Christ
The Revelation of Jehovah in the Lord Jesus Christ
There is no greater revelation of Jehovah than in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Here, in Hebrews, the Holy Spirit speaks of Jesus Christ as the “brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” The words “express image” means an exact copy or reproduction. Christ was more than a exact copy. However, we understand the thought given in this verse. Christ showed us in a vivid and personal way God’s personality. He was indeed Jehovah God.
Over in Colossians, the Holy Spirit says this about Christ.
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
When we read about Christ’s birth, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, we see a physical image of God who is invisible. He took upon Himself the form of a man for none can stand before His exact appearance and live. Thus, He humbled Himself so that He might be obedient to the cross.
If the Lord Jesus Christ is “express image” of the “invisible God,” we find through His crucifixion and suffering that sin brings sorrow and trouble to “Jehovah” and not just men.
Note these verses.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
We know that as Christ stood over Jerusalem and looked upon it that He wept over it.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Do not such verses reveal the heart of Jehovah? It shows just how much it hurts the heart of God when do not love righteousness as He does and when we allow sin to reign in our lives.
As we have learned, there are two important aspects of Jehovah concerning righteousness.
We know by this very name that He is God who requires righteousness even as He is righteous. Additionally, we learned that sin has devastating results that impact both us and Him.
Yet, there is one more that we see especially when we tie His name, Jehovah, to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this.
God’s righteousness is not fully declared until He makes His people righteous with His own righteousness.
The Old Testament is important. It shows that God is righteous and must condemn evil. Yet, praise God, the Old Testament is not the only testament given to men. Elohim made a new covenant with man.
31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant With the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the hand To bring them out of the land of Egypt; Which my covenant they brake, Although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, And write it in their hearts; And will be their God, And they shall be my people.
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Righteousness is not complete if it only judges and condemns. If that were so, then many could claim that Satan is righteous for he also judges and condemns. However, it cannot be said of Satan that he is righteous for righteousness can never rest until it makes the sinner righteous.
Thus, as we think about Jehovah, we see that He also never rests until the sinner is provided a means by which he can be righteous even as Jehovah is righteous.
Now, follow with me as I give some progression here. God is righteous. As a Jehovah, the God of righteousness, He must judge sin. However, once sin is judged and condemned, Jehovah, the God of righteousness makes is so the already judged sinner has a path to becoming “partaker of His holiness.” That path, my friend, is the glorious news of the Gospel.
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jehovah is not content to be righteous. He will have us, as sinners, returned to our former selves as when He made us in His image in the Garden. He makes it so we can be righteous once again sharing in His own righteousness. He is “just, and the justifier.” He leads us into paths of righteousness for His own name’s sake. His actions are in accordance with His name.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
It is in Jesus Christ that we see both Jehovah and Elohim.
As Jehovah, there is a love for righteousness that result in sinner’s condemned. However, as Elohim, there is a great love emanating from His covenant with men that determines a path back to righteousness for the sinner. His names overlap each other proving repeatedly His unmatchless love.
Each successive dispensation reveals more about His love and His plan for man’s restoration to righteousness. From creation to the cross, we see Him as “Elohim” as love is the virtue of His relationship with us. At the same time, we see Him as “Jehovah” as truth and righteousness is the predominant theme of His relationship with men. In both, we see Him as purposing to bring men back into that wonderful relationship which men enjoyed before sin ruined it all. All of which was fulfilled when Christ shed His own blood upon the cross satisfying God’s judgment upon men and opening the door for men to be righteous once again before God.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Conclusion
Conclusion
I will close our study of Jehovah with one last thought. If you recall, in Genesis 2 and 3, we find God’s name “Elohim” added to his name “Jehovah.” However, when Eve was speaking with Satan, they spoke only of “Elohim.” That was the only exception on those two chapters. Here is the thought! Every act and word of “Jehovah Elohim” shewed Him as “Jehovah” and “Elohim.” In other words, as “Jehovah,” His actions and words expressed His love for righteousness and the need to judge sin. As “Elohim,” His actions and words demonstrated great love providing a way back to righteousness. Even when men are fallen, there is always hope for him in God. For He says to man...
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.
With the very same breath, He also says to man...
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; Yea, let them take counsel together: Who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Both these names are often interchangeable, but always with a purpose. In doing so, we learn much about our God with strengthens our faith in Him.
15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: And in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: And in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.