Getting a Right Focus (5)

When I was a sophomore in high school, I had, just briefly, the nickname of “Butterfingers.” I was given that nickname because, even though I was a good ball player, at times I could get so intense that I would have a difficult time holding onto the ball.

In our society, names don’t generally mean anything…at least not in the same was as they did during Bible times.

Matthew 1:21 KJV 1900

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

We can learn much about God if we take a look at His names.

Ryrie’s Basic Theology Chapter 7: The Names of God

The many names of God in the Scripture provide additional revelation of His character. These are not mere titles assigned by people but, for the most part, His own descriptions of Himself. As such they reveal aspects of His character.

Old Testament Names of God

Elohim

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

This is how we are first introduced to God in the Old Testament.

This name for God is used over 2000 times in the Old Testament.

One meaning of this name is “…the supernatural being who originated and rules over the universe.”

Others have said that “…this name of God means the Strong One...” or “the One to be feared.”

This name of God shows His power as we see in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created...”

What are some things/people/organizations that we typically think of as powerful?

How powerful is God?

“When God first introduced Himself to us in Genesis 1:1, He used the name which shows He is indeed strong enough to create the heavens and the earth and is therefore worthy of reverence.” - Bible Doctrines for Today, Abeka

Turn to and read Deuteronomy 8:10-20. (You’ll notice, in this passage of Scripture that God refers to Himself by two names, “the Lord God.”)

Why is it important that we know and remember this name of God?

If we fail to know and remember this name of God we will pridefully trust in our own power and strength. (vs. 17)

Why is it a mistake to trust in our own power and strength?

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Stand in His strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, Ye dare not trust your own. Put out the Gospel armor, Each piece put on with prayer; Where duty calls, or danger, Be never wanting there.

…we will then “…walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them...” (vs. 19)

…we will perish. (vs. 20)

Yahweh / Jehovah / Lord

This is the most frequently used name for God, occurring over 5,000 times in the Old Testament.

You will find this name translated in the Old Testament as “Lord” or as “Jehovah.”

In the Old Testament you will often find the name, “Lord,” used together with the name, “God.” As in the first time that we find the name “Lord” being used in Genesis 2:4

Genesis 2:4 KJV 1900

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

God, the “Strong One,” created the heavens and the earth. The Lord - the Self-Existent One - created the heavens and the earth. He had the power to create. He, Himself, though, was not created.

This is the name by which God made Himself known to Abram (or Abraham).

Genesis 12:1 KJV 1900

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Turn to and read Exodus 6:1-9.

Notice vs. 3...

Exodus 6:3 KJV 1900

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.

“…but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

That seems contradictory because the name “Jehovah” is used 96 times between Genesis chapter 12 and Genesis chapter 50. In fact, this clearly how God identifies Himself to Abram in Genesis 15:7...

Genesis 15:7 KJV 1900

And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

So, what does God mean in Exodus 6:3? “…but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

Dr. David Sorenson said,

“What God may have had in mind was that during the time of the patriarchs, He had not emphasized His name Jehovah as He now did to Moses, Israel, and Pharaoh.”

So, God wanted to emphasize to the Jews, who had been suffering under the bondage of the Egyptians for 400 years, that He was Lord. But, what is the significance of that?

Look again at Exodus 6:6...

Exodus 6:6 KJV 1900

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

“I am the Lord, and I will...”

Ryrie’s Basic Theology D. Significance of the Name

It is connected with God’s power to work on behalf of His people and to keep His covenant with them, which was illustrated and confirmed by His work in their deliverance from Egypt

“This is God’s covenant name. It is always an indication that God keeps His promises even though man fails Him often.” Bible Doctrines for Today, Abeka

In other words, God keeps His promises. Just think, back in Genesis, Yahweh made the promise to Abram that He would make of Abram a great nation. However, in Exodus, that nation had been languishing in Egypt for 400 years. As God sent Moses to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt, He wanted to make sure that Moses emphasized that He was the God who keeps His promises!

Have you ever doubted one of God’s promises? Why is it sometimes difficult to remember that God keeps His promises?

Adonai

Although this name of God is translated, in our Bibles, as “Lord” just as Yahweh often is, it is a distinct name for God.

Ryrie’s Basic Theology III. Adonai

When used of God’s relationship to men, it conveys the idea of His absolute authority.

Turn to and read Joshua 5:13-15.

“Our Master has a right to our obedience, and as His servants we have the privilege of direction in His service.” Bible Doctrines for Today, Abeka

Because God is Lord, what should our response be?

Isaiah 6:8 KJV 1900

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

But there is one thing that I want to keep in mind. We often will focus on the fact that “He is Lord” and “I have to obey Him.” Now, don’t get me wrong; those statements are correct but if that is all that we think of then I think we are missing the bigger picture.

Turn to and read Joshua 1:5-9.

Here, we have Joshua assuming the mantle of leadership of the nation of Israel. Big responsibility? That would be an understatement. In fact, as I read Joshua chapter 1 I can almost feel the weight of responsibility that was being lowered onto Joshua’s shoulders. I can only imagine that it was overwhelming.

In the following chapters, God gives Joshua his “marching orders.” Still, though, I imagine that Joshua was overwhelmed at the prospect of crossing the Jordan and attacking Jericho.

However, the Lord appears to Joshua at the end of chapter 5, just before the big day! (Most Bible scholars believe - as do I - that this was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.)

Joshua 5:14 KJV 1900

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

It was if God was seeking to take the burden of responsibility off of Joshua’s shoulders and reassuring Him that everything was going to be Ok! God assumed all of the responsibility for what was to be done, how it was to be done, and what the outcome would be. Joshua simply had the burden of obedience. Why? Because He is Lord!

Those are the three main names for God that are found in the Old Testament: Elohim, Yahweh, and Adoni.

Ryrie’s Basic Theology VII. Father

To sum up: a name in Bible times was more than an identification; it was descriptive of its bearer, often revealing some characteristic of a person.

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