Sermon Tone Analysis

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

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.

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.

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.”

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

Now, look carefully at these verses in Genesis 3 and let’s see something exciting.

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.

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.

The words “I Am that I Am” express what God is.