YAHWEH (2)

First let’s discuss some background on the name Yahweh

Yahweh is a distinctly proper name of God. It is never used to refer to any pagan gods; neither is it used in regard to men. It appears 6823 times in the OT

1. In the OT God’s name appears as YHWH.

No vowels in written Hebrew.

Not only that but...

Every Name of God in the Bible Yahweh (Exodus 3–4)

The special name of God was so sacred that no observant Jew would pronounce it. Instead, when reading the Scripture, a person coming to that name would substitute an entirely different word. This is a technical rule known as “kethive Kere.” This phrase means “written one way, to be read another.” It directed readers of the sacred Hebrew text that when they came to the four consonants YHWH, they were to attach vowel signs indicating that in its place they should read the Hebrew word Adonai, which means “Lord.” In this case, the scholars who produced the Massoretic text added the vowels “e,” “o,” and “a” to the consonants “Y,” “H,” “W,” and “H” (in other words, “YeHoWaH”).

In addition...

Scholars have struggled over how best to translate “Yahweh.” The name is composed of four Hebrew letters, Yod, Hey, Vav, and Hey. All agree that the name is constructed on consonants used in the Hebrew verb “to be.” But just what aspect of the verb “to be”is emphasized?

Many settle for the simple phrase found in verse 14, “I AM,” and let it go at that. Others suggest that God here is identifying Himself as the “Self-Existent One.”

2. YAHWEH first appears in Genesis 2:4 (joined with ELOHIM)

Genesis 2:4 NIV

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

But in Genesis 4:26 we learn that this is when people began to call on (or proclaim) the name of the LORD (YHWH)

3. In Exodus 3(at the burning bush) God reveals the meaning of his name, makes it meaning known.

I Am Who I Am describes me. However you can say I Am sent me

Allen Ross notes that Exod 3 is not giving a new meaning to the YHYW, nor is it adding new attributes to the divine character; “it is expressly linking the name with the fulfillment of the covenant promises. When Israel would experience the fulfillment of the promises, then they would truly know Yahweh”

God is taking Moses to another level, a deeper understanding and is asking him to reveal that to the Israelites.

What does in mean to invoke the covenant made between Abraham and God?

Moses is not receiving a new bit of information. Rather, God is leaving no doubt in Moses’ mind who it is that is speaking with him. God is saying to him: “I am Yahweh, the ‘I AM,’ the God of the patriarchs. The one you have heard about is the one speaking with you now.”

Key Points

1. God who always is.

Self existent

God is not a created being. He predates creation and is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting (as we learned last week).

Systematic Theology A. The Self-Existence of God

As the self-existent God, He is not only independent in Himself, but also causes everything to depend on Him. This self-existence of God finds expression in the name Jehovah. It is only as the self-existent and independent One that God can give the assurance that He will remain eternally the same in relation to His people

Johns gospel reminds us that “The Father has life in himself...” (5:26) therefore he needs nothing to exists, he is independent in his thoughts, his will, his power and his counsel.

God is...

Ever present

Was “in the beginning”, was made known to the patriarchs

Exodus 6:2–3 NIV

God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.

He saw them throughout the Exodus and into the promised land.

Psalm 46:1 NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 1:19 NIV

They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

And that’s not just the OT

Jesus told his disciples “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28)

And then he came through. On one occasion while in Corinth...

Acts 18:9–10 (NIV)

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

He is ever present because He is also the...

2. God who never changes.

This is my name forever (Exodus 3:15)

Exodus 3:15 (NIV)

God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘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, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.

God exists in the state that never changes (is, was and will be)

Psalm 102:27 NIV

But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

What kind of comfort do we have in knowing that God never changes?

Systematic Theology (B. The Immutability of God)

The Immutability of God is a necessary component to his deity. It is that perfection of God by which He is devoid of all change, not only in His Being, but also in His perfections, and in His purposes and promises. In virtue of this attribute He is exalted above all becoming, and is free from increasing or diminishing and from all growth or decay in His Being or perfections. His knowledge and plans, His moral principles and volitions remain forever the same. Even reason teaches us that no change is possible in God, since a change is either for better or for worse. But in God, as the absolute Perfection, improvement and deterioration are both equally impossible

Hebrews 1:10–12 NIV

He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

3. God who is beyond comprehension

He is absolutely perfect

How do we understand perfection?

In respect to to God there is no flaw or error.

In the Hobbit Smaug had a small weak spot. God has no such spot.

We are also acknowledging the quality of God’s characteristics. For example “perfect in power”—God has and exhaustless amount of power. Perfect holiness means his holiness is free from limitation or defect.

Psalm 145:3 NIV

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

He does not exists in time

This can be difficult for us to wrap our minds because we mark everything off by seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks etc...

But the apostle Peter reminds us 2 Peter 3:8

2 Peter 3:8 NIV

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

So how do we understand God and time

God is not constrained by time as we are one theologian explained it this way, “He is elevated above all temporal limits and all succession of moments, and possesses the whole of His existence in one indivisible present.”

Psalm 90:2 NIV

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

He is omnipresent

We know that God transcends all spacial limitations, we say God is everywhere at once. He is not absent form any part of creation nor is he more present in one part than he is another.

He is not subject to the laws of gravity or physics as we are.

He is just as present in the furthest reaches of the galaxy as he is here in this room right now.

When Solomon built a temple for God and brought in the Ark he said 1 Kings 8:27

1 Kings 8:27 NIV

“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!

Stephen quoted that passage just before he was stoned and then added

Acts 7:48–49 (NIV)

As the prophet says: “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be?

And though He cannot be contained by the universe that He has created he is a God who is not far off

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

This is the God who says “I wish to be known”

Isaiah 55:6–7 NIV

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.