HaShem "The Name" A Study in the Old Testament Names of God. By Kevin Corbin

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1 HaShem "The Name" A Study in the Old Testament Names of God By Kevin Corbin 1

2 GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary Life Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 on the web: (c) Gleanings From The Word Ministries International All Rights Reserved Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Gleanings From the Word, Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life and the Gleanings From The Word logo copyright Gleanings From The Word Ministries International

3 This ebook is offered courtesy of Gleanings From The Word Ministries. We pray the contents will bless and challenge you in your walk with Jesus the Christ. Our thanks to the many ministries and individuals who contributed their thoughts and photographs to make it possible. It is offered to you as prayer-ware and share-ware. What do we mean by that? When you read this book pray that God reveals Himself to you in new and deeper ways. We also ask that you simply ask God to offer His guidance and blessing for this ministry and that the people who read it would be drawn closer to Him. It is share ware in two ways. Firstly we encourage you to share copies with your friends. Secondly, we ask that you consider a small donation to this ministry as God leads. Cheques can be sent to the address on the previous page. If you are not in a position to give, we understand and pray that you are blessed any way in what God shows you through this small book. You may print a copy for your own personal use. For reprint rights in any other form, please contact us at prayer@gleaningsfromtheword.com May you be blessed as you journey through the delights of "HaShem" Pastor Kevin Corbin Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada July

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...5 THE NAME...6 HEBREW NAMES OF GOD...9 THE INEFFABLE NAME...10 NAMES OF GOD IN PSALM ELOHIM...15 YHVH-ELOHIM...17 THE SHEMA...19 COMPOUND NAMES OF JEHOVAH...24 JEHOVAH-SHALOM...27 JEHOVAH-SEBOATH...31 JEHOVAH-NISSI...34 JEHOVAH-EL-EMETH...37 JEHOVAH-JIREH...39 JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH...43 JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH...45 JEHOVAH-ROPHE...49 JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU...52 EL SHADDAI...56 EL OLAM...59 EL ELYON...61 EL ELOHE ISRAEL...64 I AM THAT I AM...66 SOME FINAL THOUGHTS...70 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

5 Introduction This book derived in part from the 20 part series on the Names of God, run in the devotional column Gleanings From The Word (June/July 2007) although edited slightly for the purposes of continuity. It also includes additional background material and illustrations. English speaking Christians often know God simply as God or Father. A few may be more familiar with the name "Jehovah-Jireh" or Yahweh. While those are accurate, there is so much more to the names of God that we miss out on. By some counts there are more than 800 names, titles and metaphors used of God in the Bible. Each describes a unique facet of His character or His work. When we study those names and metaphors we gain an intimate understanding of our heavenly Father. We will not study the full 800 in this book simply because such a study would be too unwieldy for most of our readers. Instead we will spend time in the more common names of God found in the Old Testament and their meanings. Why study the names of God? The more we know Him and of Him the closer we can draw to Him. As I answer that question, I am reminded of a line from a hymn by William Cowper, the great 19th century poet, hymn writer and evangelical Christian. Oh! for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame; A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb! 1 Our thanks to all those who have given us permission to use their images and other materials. We have gathered materials from a wide range of secular and Christian resources. Use of an image or resource in no way implies our doctrinal agreement with any or all the positions taken by any of the information sources. My prayer is that this little book will lead you to a closer walk with God and lead you to the Lamb and a deeper relationship with God. Kevin 1 All Cowper materials used in this book are taken from The works of The Rev. John Newton (New Haven, CT: Nathan Whiting, 1826), vol. 2 5

6 The Name In today's western culture, making up names for children seems to be in vogue. People make them up by combining names of family members or the random combination of initials. All the spelling rules for names have been thrown out and a name might have three, four or fifty different spellings. For example I have seen the name "Desiree" as Desaray, Desiray, Deziray, Dez-are, Dessere and more. Sometimes, names are based on family connections. My middle name "Floyd" was given after my father. His middle name "Russell" was after his father. My eldest son has "Kevin" as a middle name. My youngest son has "Lawrence" as a middle name after his maternal grandfather. Still, the most common names often are based on the names on popular public figures (usually athletes, musicians or movie stars). The people of Israel put great weight on names. They were more than just an identifier; they were a declaration of character. In the English translations of Scripture we see God shown mostly as God, Lord, LORD. Those are accurate enough but they miss much of the significance of the original Hebrew. Oftentimes, when reading the English we do not even recognize that what we are reading is a formal name of God. For example, the first line of Psalm 23 usually is read as "The Lord is my shepherd." We understand it to be a metaphor of what God does for His people but we miss the deeper significance. It actually reads YHWH-Rohi, the "Lord My Shepherd". It is a formal name of God. The people of Israel were so in awe of the name of God that they did not put the vowels into the words or say them to keep from accidentally blaspheming. YHWH comes out in English as Yahweh, or more popularly (but less accurate) as Jehovah. YHWH - Yahweh - Jehovah By some counts there are more than 800 formal names, titles and metaphors that describe God and His character. Why so many? It takes that many (and more) to describe the wonder that is our God. There was power and authority in being associated with the name of the Lord 6

7 Proverbs 18:10 NIV The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Of course, the writer is speaking figuratively because God's name is not a building. Yet there is great truth proclaimed in those few words. There is power and blessing in the names of the Lord. Yet, left unused, they are like a tower in the distance, available but of no help. We would be wise to learn more about the Names of our Father and creator. The cover page of the 1526 Jewish Book Sefer Kol Bo showing a strong tower surrounded by the words of Proverbs 18: From the US Library of Congress Collection 7

8 What are some of the names of God in the Old Testament? Elohim... God, Mighty Creator El... God, Lord, Master El Roi... The God Who Sees Me El Shaddai... God Almighty El Olam... Everlasting (or Eternal) God Jehovah-Jireh... The Lord Will Provide YHWH, Yahweh, Jehovah... LORD Adonai... Lord, Master Jehovah-Rophe... The Lord Who Heals Jehovah-Nissi... The Lord My Banner El Kanna (Qanna)... Jealous God Jehovah- Shalom... The Lord Is Peace or The Lord My Peace Jehovah-Tseboath (seboath)... The Lord of Hosts Jehovah-Tsuri... The Lord My Rock Jehovah-Rohi (Roi)... The Lord My Shepherd Hashem... The Name Jehovah- Tsidekenu... The Lord Our Righteousness El Elyon... God Most High Jehovah-Shammah... The Lord is There There are of course many more. The list gets even more extensive when expanded into the New Testament and when all the titles and Metaphors are included. Over the course of the next chapters we will examine Hashem - "The Name" and looking at some of the names of God in more detail. The Name of God is a strong tower. May you find refuge there and be saved. 8

9 Hebrew Names of God 3 3 Hebrew Names of God." No pages. Cited 1 June Online: (Used by permission) 9

10 The Ineffable Name Which one is it? Is it God, Lord or LORD? Is it YHWH, YHVH, Jehovah or Yahweh? Well it's all of them, sort of, and none of them as well. In the Hebrew Bible (the tanakh) the most common personal name of God is rendered YHVH. YHVH appears more than 6,800 times in what we call the Old Testament. The name is referred to as the "Tetragammatom" because it is made up of four Hebrew letters: yod, hey, vav and hey. YHVH is the Unutterable or Ineffable Name of God. Based on Exodus 20:7... You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. it would be blasphemous for devout Jews to say the name of God and mispronounce it or to spell it incorrectly. Accordingly the name was spelled without vowels. So how in the world do we get Jehovah or Yahweh out of these four simple letters? Masoretic Jewish scholars wrote the name as YHWH in the running text [called the Qere - "What is written"] but underneath in the Ketiv ["What is spoken"] included the vowels from the name Adonai. Adonai means Lord or My Lord and was permissible to say. The combination of letters gave Jehovah (although old English had a "y" sound where the letter "j" appeared. At a later date it was suggested by some that the vowels had been reversed so a new "name" Yahweh was created. We often see the name spelled simply as YHWH, although YHVH is probably more accurate. There is no equivalent for "w" in the Hebrew alphabet. In any event, the true pronunciation has long been lost. Old Hebrew had no vowels and only the High Priest (Cohen Gadol) would say the name and even then only once a year during the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). On that day He would say the name a total of ten times, each time with the people prostrate on the ground. YHVH is often referred to as Hashem ("the name") or Shem HaMeforesh ("the ineffable name") or simply Adonai. Orthodox Jews believe even today that one of the signs of the Messiah will be His knowledge of the true pronunciation of the Hashem. Whether spoken as Adonai, Hashem, YHVH, YHWH, Yahweh or Jehovah, it is a name to be revered. In most English translations YHVH appears as LORD (in all capital letters), so when we see that form we know that we are encountering a name that people have feared speaking for thousands of years. It is not something to be taken lightly. I do not believe that we need to fear saying it, but it does call for a degree of reverent awe. YHWH, often shortened to Yah is closely linked to the Hebrew Word "havah" which means "being" or "to be". It is also linked to "chavah" which means "to live" or "life". In Exodus YHVH declares His name to Moses at the burning bush in the wilderness. 10

11 Exodus 3:14 NIV God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.' " In God we have the source of all being and all life. He is truly the I AM. Without our beloved YHVH there would be nothing. As you ponder life give HaShem the honor due His name. YHVH - TRIVIA The letters of YHVH are sometimes shown in a stacked format, giving a shape that is reminiscent of a stick person. When they are shown this way it is a reminder that we are all created in the image of God (See the Genesis account of creation). It is also said to be a reminder that He is all sufficient to meet the needs of every person. I think both explanations are rather fanciful, but it is, I think, an interesting piece of trivia about the name of God. 11

12 Names of God in Psalm 23 Earlier I mentioned that in Psalm 23 we could find one of the names of God, YHVH-Rohi (or as we are more familiar with it Jehovah-Rohi), the "LORD my Shepherd". As I meditated on the name of God revealed in Psalm 23, I found that while Jehovah-Rohi is the only formal name of God mentioned in the Psalm, there are many others alluded to or referenced indirectly. Psalm 23 NIV The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 4 4 Flock of Sheep - in the mountains near Vavenby BC - Summer Kevin Corbin 12

13 Okay, The LORD is my Shepherd is obvious but what about the others? Let's have a look. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not be in want He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters he restores my soul Jehovah-Rohi Jehovah-Jireh - the LORD Who Provides Jehovah-Rohi - The LORD My Shepherd Jehovah-Rohi - The LORD My Shepherd Jehovah-Shalom - The LORD My Peace He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Jehovah-Tsidkenu - The LORD My Righteousness Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil Jehovah-Nissi - The LORD My Standard (or banner) for you are with me Jehovah-Shammah - The LORD is With Me (or Present) your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil my cup overflows. Jehovah-Rohi - The LORD My Shepherd Jehovah-Shalom - The LORD My Peace Jehovah-Jireh - the LORD Who Provides Jehovah-Nissi - The LORD My Standard Jehovah-Rophe - The Lord Who Heals Jehovah-Jireh - the LORD Who Provides Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, Jehovah-Jireh - the LORD Who Provides and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Jehovah-Shammah - The LORD is With Me 13

14 5 Late 19th century Shepherd in the Holy Land As you read the Psalm, the Lord may reveal to you different names or aspects of His character. In fact I might see it differently the next time I read it, but those were my thoughts this morning. As you read, may you rejoice in HaShem "the name" and the Lord your Shepherd. 5 TITLE: One of a set of thirteen select slides of shepherd life illustrating the Twenty-Third Psalm. "The Lord is my shepherd" CALL NUMBER: LC-M343- B-276-[B][P&P] - Public Domain 14

15 Elohim The most common name for God in Scripture is YHVH (YHWH, Yahweh, Jehovah. LORD), but it is not the first name we encounter. The first name we find in the Bible is Elohim, which is second in number of appearances behind YHVH at over 2,700 (vs for YHVH). Scripture opens with this name in the first sentence. Exodus 1:1 NIV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. From Genesis 1:1-2:4 Elohim is the only name of God that appears. It is used more than 30 times (35 if my count is correct) in those opening verses of Scripture. Elohim Elohim, translated as "God" in most English translations is a strange word. It can be both a singular and a plural term. In his work "Hebrew For Christians" John J. Parsons says "The name Elohim is unique to Hebrew thinking: it occurs only in Hebrew and in no other ancient Semitic language. The masculine plural does not mean "gods" when referring to the true God of Israel, since the name is mainly used with singular verb forms and with adjectives and pronouns in the singular (e.g., see Gen. 1:26). However, considering the Hashalush HaKodeosh (Trinity), the form indeed allows for the plurality within the godhead." 6 That's fancy speak telling us that the Name Elohim is both plural and singular and allows for the concept of our triune God within its grammatical structure. Elohim is used in the Scriptures in other ways as well. There are places the word Elohim is used of other things in a similar way that we might say "gods" in a lesser sense than the God of the Bible. For example, it is used of Idols (Exodus 34:17); Men (John 10:34, 35); Angels (Psalm 8:5) and Judges (Exodus 22:8). However the overwhelming bulk of uses refer to our creator God. So who is this Elohim? He is our creator. Before there was anything there was Elohim. He is God, Mighty Creator. Jewish tradition also relates Him to the Judge of the Universe. As its creator He is uniquely qualified to judge all that happens in His Creation. In the Mishna - Exodus Rabbah 3:6 says "The Holy One, blessed be He, said to those, You want to know my name? I am called according to 6 e Parsons, John. "Names of G-d Elohim." No pages. Cited 1 June Online: 15

16 my actions. When I judge the creatures I am Elohim, and when I have mercy with my world, I am named YHVH." In the names YHVH and Elohim we see God's power, His creative nature, His judgment and His mercy. The word Elohim conveys a sense of mightiness or majesty. It can mean Almighty God or "Fullness of Might". It is a title showing power and strength beyond comprehension. In God we have the source of all being and all life. He is truly the I AM. Without our beloved YHVH/Elohim there would be nothing. May you give HaShem ("the Name") the honor due His name every moment of every day. Elohim 7 7 Detail from Raphael - God separates light from darkness Public Domain 16

17 YHVH-Elohim We have taken an introductory look at both the names of Elohim and YHVH (YHWH, Jehovah, Yahweh). We see the two in combination as Jehovah-Elohim or in English "The LORD my God" seventeen times in the Old Testament. Joshua 14:6-9 NIV Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD [Jehovah] said to Moses the man of God [Elohim] at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD [Jehovah] sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God [Jehovah-Elohim] wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, `The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God [Jehovah-Elohim] wholeheartedly' Jehovah-Elohim appears an additional 85 times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament as "The LORD our God". Deuteronomy 5:22-27 NIV These are the commandments the LORD [Jehovah] proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me. When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leading men of your tribes and your elders came to me. And you said, "The LORD our God [Jehovah-Elohim] has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the LORD our God [Jehovah-Elohim] any longer. For what mortal man has ever heard the voice of the living God [Elohim] speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived? Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God [Jehovah- Elohim] says. Then tell us whatever the LORD our God [Jehovah-Elohim] tells you. We will listen and obey." YHVH-Elohim is translated "The LORD is God" eight times in the Old Testament. 17

18 Deuteronomy 4:32-40 NIV Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God [Elohim] created man on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? Has any other people heard the voice of God [Elohim] speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God [Jehovah-Elohim] did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God [Jehovah-Elohim]; besides him there is no other. From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today. Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God [Jehovah-Elohim] in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God [Jehovah] gives you for all time. One of the foundational tenets of both the Jewish and Christian faiths is our belief in one God Deuteronomy 6:4 NIV Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [YHVH-Elohim], the LORD [YHVJ] is one. This verse is part of a liturgical prayer called the Shema said twice daily by Jewish males. In the morning and evening they read Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41 (for more information, see next article "The Shema". Some liberal scholars have suggested that the Books of Moses (Pentateuch i.e. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) we written not by Moses but by several authors on of whom called God, Elohim and another who called Him Jehovah. I see instead a progressive revelation of God's character through His names and in the instances where YHVH and Elohim are combined in a confirmation that the two are one and the same God. The LORD is God. He is all knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent) and always present (omnipresent). He is more though. He is not just a distant impersonal deity. He is the LORD our God and the Lord My God. It is possible for us to know Him and have a relationship with him. As you read, may you rejoice that He is not distant and impersonal. We were designed for fellowship with Him. 18

19 THE SHEMA While not a name a God, the Shema is recited daily by millions of Jews calling on the name of YHWH-Elohim. Since YHWH is the ineffable name, it would be spoken as Adonai- Elohim. The Shema is a liturgical prayer recited in the morning blessing, on the Shabbat (Sabbath), when the Torah is removed from the Ark on the Shabbat and at bedtime. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul-- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.' " 19

20 The Shema may be recited standing or sitting. Many people recite it while standing as a testimony to their faith (Testimony in Jewish court is given standing). Jewish worshippers often wear a tallit and hold the four fringes in the left hand while saying Shema. When the word tallit is mentioned during the Shema, and at the end of the prayer it is customary to kiss the fringes. TZIZIT Jewish law calls for fringes to be affixed to the corners of garments. Since few modern garments are square many Jewish men wear tzizit or as they are sometimes called tallit katan. The tzizit has thread or tassels on the corners thus fulfilling the requirements of the law. It may be worn under or over other clothing 8 FRINGES The Torah contains a command for fringes on the corner of a garment. The law required a blue thread affixed amongst white threads. Over the course of time, the exact shade of blue has been lost, so most strings (Tzizit) are simply made out of white thread. The Shema calls for believers to "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." Praying the Shema helps write the truth on the hearts and minds. 8 Photo of Tzizit, fringe and Tefillin (on next page) are courtesy Judaism.org used by permission 20

21 Tefillin Devout Jews wear Tefillin to fulfill the command to write the words on their hands and foreheads. Tefillin are two small black boxes with black straps attached to them. Jews are required to place one box on their head and tie the other to their arm each week day. The laying of the tefillin (Since it is not clothing one does not "wear" a tefillin, rather one lays it in place). commences after one becomes Bar Mitzvah (males) or Bat Mitzvah (females). According to Orthodox Jewish religious law, only men wear tefillin; most Conservative Jewish legal sources support all Jewish adults (both men and women) wearing tefillin. The Mizvah of Tefillin (commandments concerning the use of tefillin) are very detailed and must be followed to the letter. Tefillin Shel Yad (Phylactery for the Hand) Public Domain 21

22 The Correct way to lay a head tefellin 10 Within the two boxes are the words of the Shema, handwritten by a scribe. Boxes with computer generated or photocopied verses are often available (usually for sale to tourists in Israel) but because they verses are not hand written, the commandment is not considered filled by their use. Tefillin are sometimes referred to as phylacteries. Phylactery is derived from an old Greek word which means to guard, a reminder that the Word of God guards the hearts and minds of believers. The Shema also calls for believers to "Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth." To keep this commandment, many Jewish homes nail a mezuzah to the right hand door frame of the doorframes to their home. The mezuzah is a small, decorative case with the words of the Shema handwritten on a parchment scroll. 10 "The Mitzvah of Tefillin." No pages. Cited 1 June Online: 22

23 Various fancy mezuzot According to The Mezuzah Handbook 11 "All rooms that are more than four cubits long and four cubits wide -- approximately 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet (or its equivalent of 37 square feet) are required to have a mezuzah -- as long as they have a full "doorway." A blessing is not recited, however, if the room does not extend at least 6.5 feet in each direction. A doorway that requires a mezuzah is only one that that has two doorposts and a lintel connecting the doorposts on top. If these conditions do not exist, a competent Rabbi should be consulted to determine whether or not that entryway requires a mezuzah. The mezuzah (plural mezuzot) is mounted at an angle. Why? Most sources I have checked advise it is because Rabbis could not agree if it should be mounted horizontally or vertically. Lacking consensus they compromised. When a believer passed through a door with a mezuzah they kiss their fingers and touch it. This is done as a sign of reverence and respect for God and His commandments. 11 Zaklikowski, Dovid. "Which Rooms Require a Mezuzah?." No pages. Cited 1 June Online 23

24 Compound names of Jehovah We have taken a look at the compound name Jehovah-Elohim and we have touched on Jehovah- Rohi (The Lord My Shepherd in Psalm 23). Now I want to look at some of the other compound names of Jehovah. There are nearly forty of them that I have found (and there may be others that I missed) but some of the names only appear once or twice. For now I will simply list them (with appropriate references) and as we continue in the series we will look at some of the more common names in more detail. Ha-melech Jehovah - The LORD the King - Psalm 98:6 Jehovah Adon Kol Ha-arets - The LORD, the Lord of All the Earth - Joshua 3:11 Jehovah Bore - The LORD Creator - Isaiah 40:28 Jehovah Eli -The LORD My God - Psalm. 18:2 Jehovah Elyon - The LORD Most High - Genesis 14: Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah - The LORD Mighty in Battle - Psalm 24:8 Jehovah Goelekh - The LORD Your Redeemer - Isaiah 49:26; 60:16 Jehovah Hashopet - The LORD the Judge - Judges 11:27 Jehovah Hoshiah - O LORD Save - Psalm 20:9 Jehovah Immeka - The LORD Is with You - Judges 6:12 Jehovah Izuz Wegibbor - The LORD Strong and Mighty - Psalm 24:8 Jehovah-Jireh - The LORD Shall Provide - Genesis 22:14 Jehovah Kabodhi - The LORD My Glory - Psalm 3:3 Jehovah Kanna Shemo - The LORD Whose Name Is Jealous - Exodus 34:14 Jehovah Keren-yishi - The LORD the Horn of My Salvation - Psalm 18:2 Jehovah Machsi - The LORD My Refuge - Psalm 91:9 Jehovah Magen - The LORD The Shield - Deuteronomy 33:29 Jehovah Maginnenu - The LORD Our Defense - Psalm 89:18 Jehovah Makkeh - The LORD Who Strikes - Ezekiel 7:9 Jehovah Mauzzam - The LORD Their Strength - Psalm 37:39 24

25 Jehovah Mauzzi - The LORD My Fortress - Jeremiah 16:19 Jehovah Melech Olam -The LORD King Forever - Psalm 10:16 Jehovah Mephalti - The LORD My Deliverer - Psalm 18:2 Jehovah Metsudhathi - The LORD... My Fortress - Psalm 18:2 Jehovah Mishgabbi - The LORD My High Tower - Psalm 18:2 Jehovah M'kaddish - The LORD That Sanctifies You - Exodus 31:13 Jehovah Moshiekh - The LORD Your Savior - Isaiah 49:26; 60:16 Jehovah-Nissi - The LORD My Banner - Exodus 17:15 Jehovah Ori - The LORD My Light - Psalm 27:1 Jehovah Rohi - The LORD My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1 Jehovah Rophe - The LORD [Our] Healer - Exodus 15:26 Jehovah Sabaoth (Tseboath) - The LORD of Hosts - 1 Samuel 1:3 Jehovah Sali - The LORD My Rock - Psalm 18:2 Jehovah Shalom - The LORD [Our] Peace - Judges 6:24 Jehovah Shammah - The LORD Is There - Ezekiel 48:35 Jehovah Tsidkenu - The LORD Our Righteousness - Jeremiah 23:6 Jehovah Tsuri - O LORD My Strength - Psalm 19:14 Jehovah Uzzi - The LORD My Strength - Psalm 28:7 Judges 6:12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you [Jehovah Immeka], mighty warrior." Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, [Jehovah- Sali] my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 25

26 Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light [Jehovah Ori]and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? 12 Jehovah Ori - The LORD My Light As I think upon these names a word from the prophet Isaiah comes to mind "there is no God apart from me" Isaiah 45:20-24 NIV "Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save. Declare what is to be, present it-- let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, `In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.' " All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. Rejoice in the marvel that is our LORD God (Jehovah-Elohim). 12 First Century Terra-Cotta Oil Lamp - From the author's collection - Photo Kevin Corbin - used by permission - 26

27 Jehovah-Shalom As promised we now start digging into some of the compound names in more detail. We'll commence with Jehovah-Shalom, The LORD My Peace or The LORD Is Peace or The LORD Our Peace. Judges 6:11-24 NIV The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, `Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return." Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so. With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die." So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace [Jehovah-Shalom]. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. 27

28 13 If you read further on in Judges you will learn that Gideon was about to embark on some incredible adventures. He would destroy idols in his home town and defeat the armies of the Midianites in a most unusual way. Yet he could say that "The LORD is Peace." Shalom We sometimes associate peace with an absence of conflict, but that is only a tiny part of the concept of peace. We can have peace with God through our relationship with Jesus the Christ. We can also have peace in God in the midst of whatever the world throws at us. 13 Public Domain Clip Art courtesy of 28

29 One of the titles of the Christ is Prince of Peace i.e. Prince of Shalom. Isaiah 9:6 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Peace comes from Him. John 14:27 NIV He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. Jesus declared to His disciples John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. The peace of God is so much more than the world's idea of a simple lack of conflict. It is confidence and assurance of victory. It is being sealed by Holy Spirit for all eternity. It is knowing that God stands for you so no one can defeat you. He is more than a bringer of peace. He is the source and ruler of peace. He is our peace. May you know The LORD My Peace. 29

30 Jehovah Shalem, The Lord send peace Jesus! whose blood so freely stream'd To satisfy the law's demand; By Thee from guilt and wrath redeem'd, Before the Father's face I stand. To reconcile offending man, Make Justice drop her angry rod; What creature could have form'd the plan, Or who fulfil it but a God? No drop remains of all the curse, For wretches who deserved the whole; No arrows dipt in wrath to pierce The guilty, but returning soul. Peace by such means so dearly bought, What rebel could have hoped to see? Peace by his injured Sovereign wrought, His Sovereign fasten'd to a tree. Now, Lord, Thy feeble worm prepare! For strife with earth and hell begins; Conform and gird me for the war; They hate the soul that hates his sins. Let them in horrid league agree! They may assault, they may distress; But cannot quench Thy love to me, Nor rob me of the Lord my peace. Scripture Hymn by William Cowper Judges 6:25 30

31 Jehovah-Seboath In Jehovah-Seboath (sometimes spelled Jehovah-Tsebaoth or Jehovah-Sebaoth or Jehovah- Sabaoth), we find powerful, some might even say militant indication of God's character. Jehovah- Seboath is the LORD of Hosts (Some translations render Jehovah-Seboath as "the LORD Almighty"). Hosts... that doesn't sound too bad, after all aren't we to be hospitable as God's people? We are to be hospitable, but that is not the kind of host being referred to here. Hosts in this sense means great multitude or army. He is LORD over the vast multitude of heaven's army, God of the Angels. It is a bit of an archaic word and many translations render it armies or multitudes. Jehovah-Seboath appears 281 times in the Old Testament and refers repeatedly to the times that God brought His heavenly Host to the aid of His people. The angels have many roles. They are the messengers of God. They can comfort His people. They are often dispatched to protect God's people. They are also a military force to be reckoned with in the spiritual and physical realm. Isaiah 13:1-5 KJV The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness. The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts [Jehovah- Seboath] mustereth the host of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Isaiah 13:1-5 NIV An oracle concerning Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw: Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles. I have commanded my holy ones; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath-- those who rejoice in my triumph. Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The LORD Almighty [Jehovah-Seboath] is mustering an army for war. They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens-- the LORD and the weapons of his wrath-- to destroy the whole country. The angels who pour out God's wrath in the end times are part of this vast Host commanded by Jehovah-Seboath as are the riders who accompany Jesus when He returns. The Host of heaven under the command of our LORD are instruments of His wrath and His mercy. 31

32 We see Jehovah-Seboath operating as both an instrument of blessing and wrath in verses we usually associate with the storehouse or tithing. Malachi 3:10-13 NIV Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty [Jehovah-Seboath], "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty [Jehovah- Seboath]. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty [Jehovah-Seboath]. The Lord of Hosts, The Lord Almighty, Jehovah-Seboath brings blessings for obedience and wrath for disobedience. I find such a wondrous balance in this Jehovah-Seboath. We see the full range of our Father's character here. Righteous wrath and gracious blessing and mercy. Mighty things are accomplished in the name of the Lord of Hosts. It was in the power of Jehovah-Seboath that David slew Goliath and defeated the armies of the Philistines. It is no wonder that the Scriptures can declare "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) God declared that things happen by His Spirit Zechariah 4:6 NIV So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: `Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. [Jehovah-Seboath]. If we need provision, He sends His angels. If we need protection He sends His angels. If we are in need of discipline He sends His angels. If we are to be blessed He sends His angels. Whatever we are in need of He provides through the Hosts at His command. Our Lord is gentle Jesus meek and mild, but He is also Jehovah-Seboath commander of the vast armies of the heavenly realms. Until next time sing the praises of Jehovah-Seboath. 32

33 Not By Might - Zechariah 4: Not By Might - Artist Unknown (Initials HC) - Believed to be public Domain 33

34 Jehovah-Nissi Jehovah-Nissi is not our LORD in a foreign car (okay, I know it is a groaner but I could not resist). Jehovah-Nissi is the LORD Our Banner or the LORD Our Standard. It was the name that Moses gave to the altar he erected after defeating the Amalekites and appears only one time in Scripture. This was no ordinary battle it was won in the supernatural. As long as Moses held his hands up in praise to God the Israelites were winning. When he dropped his hands the Amalekites would get the upper hand. Finally Aaron and Hur stood by Moses and helped him keep His hands raised long enough for the tribes of Israel to gain final victory (See Exodus 17). Exodus 17:14-16 NIV Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner [Jehovah-Nissi]. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation." Moses, Aaron and Hur Defeating the Amalekites Aaron and Hur help Moses during the battle with Amalek UNKNOWN; Illustrator of Henry Davenport Northrop's 'Treasures of the Bible', Public Domain 34

35 In times of old, a banner or standard identified a group you were affiliated with. We see similar concepts today with national flags or even the proliferation of sport's team's uniforms and colors when the local team is in the finals. If you are a movie buff think Mel Gibson in the Patriot. The banner or standard was a rally point. It was of huge spiritual and emotional significance. Think of the flag raising on Iwo Jima (forgetting that it was a staged photo op). The image of those troops raising the flag still inspires patriotic feelings. How much more will the power of standing under the banner of the Great I Am be? We see Christ prophesized as the standard in the words of Isaiah the Prophet. Isaiah 49:22 NIV This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. While He did not call Himself by the name Jehovah-Nissi, we can think of Christ as our banner. He was raised up on a cross, as was the brazen snake in the desert with Moses. When He was raised up all men are drawn to Him. He is our rallying point, our victory and our inspiring hope for all of eternity. 16 May you fly the banner of Jehovah-Nissi. 16 Public Domain Clip Art courtesy of 35

36 Jehovah Nissi, The Lord my banner By whom was David taught To aim the deadly blow, When he Goliath fought, And laid the Gittite low? Nor sword nor spear the stripling took, But chose a pebble from the brook. 'Twas Israel's God and King Who sent him to the fight; Who gave him strength to sling, And skill to aim aright. Ye feeble saints, your strength endures, Because young David's God is yours. Who order'd Gideon forth, To storm the invaders' camp. With arms of little worth, A pitcher and a lamp? The trumpets made his coming known And all the host was overthrown. Oh! I have seen the day, When with a single word, God helping me to say, "My trust is in the Lord," My soul hath quell'd a thousand foes Fearless of all that could oppose. But unbelief, self-will, Self-righteousness, and pride, How often do they steal My weapon from my side! Yet David's Lord, and Gideon's friend, Will help his servant to the end. Scripture Hymn by William Cowper Exodus 27:15 36

37 Jehovah-El-Emeth Now we'll look at a name of God that you don't often see on listings of the names of God. Some would argue that it is not even a proper name, but I believe it is too important to exclude. Jehovah-El-Emeth (sometimes seen as Jehovah-Emeth) is "The LORD God is True" or "The LORD God is Truth" Psalm 31:5 NIV Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. Emeth is the transliteration of a Hebrew Word that appears 128 times in the Scriptures, and has been translated as truth, faithfulness and veracity in various places in the Bible. In places where the word emeth is translated faithfulness, we can easily translate it truth as well without losing any of the meaning. Exodus 34:4-7 NIV So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness [TRUTH], maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." In the Hebrew emeth is spelled with three letters Aleph-Mem-Tav, which are the first, middle, and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. He is the all encompassing aleph-taw or the A to Z or as we see in the New Testament the Alpha and Omega (from the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet). Aleph-Mem-Tav - Hebrew for emeth - truth - remember Hebrew is read right to left Jesus declared His deity when he said in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life." because God is truth. Pontius Pilate displayed his ignorance (intentionally or unintentionally is a subject of debate) of who the Christ truly was when he asked "What is truth?' From beginning to end and everywhere in between God is true and faithful. 37

38 Revelation 1:8 NIV "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 21:6 NIV "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 22:13 NIV I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Alpha and Omega - first and last, beginning and end - There is no deceit in Jehovah-El-Emeth. His very nature precludes it. We see the Scriptures proclaim that truth about the Christ. 1 Peter 2:22 NIV "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." No matter how we look at it, there can be no denying that Jehovah-El-Emeth, The LORD God is truth. 38

39 Jehovah-Jireh Jehovah-Jireh is one of the most well known of the compound names of God. It means the LORD Will Provide or the LORD our Provider. It is a name declared by Abraham. Genesis 22:1-14 NIV Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 39

40 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide [Jehovah-Jireh]. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." [Jehovah-Jireh] It is the Lord who provides for all of our needs. 17 Interestingly, the word jireh, or the variant jeroah are common in Scriptures and often translated "to see". If we use the variant translation of "to see" none of the power of the name is lost, in fact, it adds quite a bit) Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide [Jehovah will see to it]. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." [Jehovah will see the need and provide] 17 Public Domain Clip Art courtesy of 40

41 18 The Trial of Abraham When we think about a LORD who not only foresees our need but personally sees to it that it is provided it is a staggering thought. The all powerful God, who spoke the universe into existence is concerned enough about each of us to see our needs and meet them. The New Testament parallel is of course Christ on the cross. God foresaw our need of a savior and provided the Lamb so that we could be reconciled to God. Every time you have a need, celebrate the love of a God who sees our every need and provides for them. 18 Trial of Abraham - Gustav Dore Woodcut - Public Domain 41

42 Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord will provide The saints should never be dismay'd, Nor sink in hopeless fear; For when they least expect His aid, The Saviour will appear. This Abraham found: he raised the knife; God saw, and said, "Forbear! Yon ram shall yield his meaner life; Behold the victim there." Once David seem'd Saul's certain prey; But hark! the foe's at hand; Saul turns his arms another way, To save the invaded land. When Jonah sunk beneath the wave, He thought to rise no more; But God prepared a fish to save, And bear him to the shore. Blest proofs of power and grace divine, That meet us in His word! May every deep-felt care of mine Be trusted with the Lord. Wait for His seasonable aid, And though it tarry, wait: The promise may be long delay'd, But cannot come too late. Scripture Hymn by William Cowper Genesis 22:14 42

43 Jehovah-M'Kaddesh This is another of the compound Jehovah names with many variant spellings. It is sometimes seen as Jehovah-M'Quaddish or Jehovah-M'Quaddishkem or Jehovah-M'Kaddeshkhen or Jehovah Mekeddeshem (Mekadesh). He is the LORD Who Sanctifies us. To be sanctified is to be made holy. Leviticus 20:7-8 NIV `Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy. [Jehovah- M'Kaddesh] The Hebrew root word kawdash which makes up part of the root for M'Kaddesh carries the idea of being set apart for special purpose; appointed or ordained by God. While we usually feel this is a characteristic of the behavior of saints, holiness applies to all believers and everything else that has to do with God. He wants us to be holy. 1 Thessalonians 4:3a NIV It is God's will that you should be sanctified We see the concept of "kawdash'" from early on in Scripture. God made the seventh day kawdash i.e. holy. He called the children of Israel to be set apart, to be holy, to be kawdash. He calls us to holiness and to be set apart. Being set aside for personal holiness through the power of Christ is something that has been lost as a truth in many churches. I am not speaking of cold, legalistic self righteousness. That is the furthest things from God's mind. In fact Jesus condemned the Pharisees and Sadducees for exactly that sort of thing. I am speaking of walking closely with the Lord, loving Him with our heart and mind and souls and strength and loving our neighbor as yourself. Forgotten or not, the call to kawdash is strong in both the Old and New Testaments. 1 Corinthians 1:2 NIV To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours Ephesians 1:3-4 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Hebrews 12:14 NIV Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 43

44 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 19 God's call on our life to be holy is of eternal importance. Fortunately, He not only calls us to be sanctified, he Himself stands as our sanctifier. He is Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, the LORD Who Sanctifies. Without Him we have no hope because we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. With Him we can be set apart for all of eternity. 19 Jehovah M'Kaddesh Banner (c) South African Banners Ltd. Used by permission 44

45 Jehovah-Shammah Jehovah-Shammah is a name that I draw great comfort from. Jehovah Shammah means the "LORD is Present" or the "LORD is There". In the final chapter of Ezekiel, he prophetically describes God's Holy City. He is not speaking of the city of Jerusalem, rather in a prophetic sense he is speaking of the Bride of Christ (the church) and the ultimate city of God to come. Ezekiel 47 and 48 is a fascinating read, especially when you read it in conjunction with the last two chapters of John's Revelation of Jesus Christ. The similarities are quite astounding. Ezekiel names the new city Jehovah Shammah. When we look at the new heaven and the new earth and the New Jerusalem described by John, we se Father, Son and Spirit present. There can be no doubt that the New Jerusalem will be Jehovah Shammah. Ezekiel 48:35 "The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE [Jehovah Shammah]." The original creation could be thought of as Jehovah Shammah. God is there as Father, Son and Spirit to create it all. Had He not been present nothing would exist. Scripture declares that without the Christ all things were made (See John 1) When the Shekinah Glory of God entered the tabernacle in the wilderness and was enthroned above the golden cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place, Jehovah Shammah was there. We see confirmation of this concept during the wandering in the desert Exodus 33:12-14 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, `Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, `I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." For a more detailed discussion on the Shekinah, the Tabernacle and the furnishings see our earlier work "Tabernacle in the Wilderness - Roadmap in the Desert" by Pastor Kevin Corbin. 45

46 Jehovah Shammah banner showing God enthroned above the cherubim on the ark. 20 While we never see Jesus call Jehovah Shammah by that name, we know that He is the "Lord is Present". Scripture boldly declares that in Christ the fullness of God lives. If the fullness of God dwells in Him, Jehovah Shammah. Colossians 2:9-10 NIV For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority All born again believers (and there are no other kinds of Christians) have both Jesus the Christ and Holy Spirit indwelling them. We are filled with Jehovah Shammah. We take him everywhere we go. No matter what our circumstances or how deep the pit, the LORD is present there with us. He is never apart from us. Jehovah Shammah is in us, but unlike Jesus we are not now, nor will we ever be the "LORD is Here". Yet, we can know that He is here with us. Where Jehovah Shammah there is power, truth and holiness. With Jehovah Shammah we can walk in the blood of the Lamb for forgiveness and the power of Holy Spirit to equip us for whatever tasks He has called us to do. Rejoice! Wherever we travel Jehovah Shammah. 20 Banner handcrafted by Jubilee Banners - image Copyright 2006 Jubilee Banners. All Rights Reserved. Used By permission 46

47 Jehovah-Shammah As birds their infant brood protect, And spread their wings to shelter them, Thus saith the Lord to His elect, "So will I guard Jerusalem." And what then is Jerusalem, This darling object of His cares? Where is its worth in God's esteem? Who built it? who inhabits there? Jehovah founded it in blood, The blood of His incarnate Son; There dwell the saints, once foes to God The sinners whom He calls His own. There, though besieged on every side, Yet much beloved and guarded well, From age to age they have defied The utmost force of earth and hell. Let earth repent, and hell despair, This city has a sure defence; Her name is call'd, "The Lord is there," And who has power to drive him hence? Scripture Hymn by William Cowper Ezekiel 48:35 47

48 Jehovah-Shammah There is a fountain fill'd with blood, Drawn from Emmanuel's veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains. The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there have I, as vile as he, Wash'd all my sins away. Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its power, Till all the ransom'd church of God Be saved, to sin no more. E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die. Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I'll sing Thy power to save; When this poor lisping stammering tongue Lies silent in the grave. Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared (Unworthy though I be) For me a blood-bought free reward, A golden harp for me! 'Tis strung and tuned for endless years, And form'd by power divine, To sound in God the Father's ears No other name but Thine. Scripture Hymn by William Cowper Zechariah 8:10 48

49 Jehovah-Rophe This is a name of our LORD that is frequently called upon. Jehovah-Rophe is the LORD Who Heals. This name is sometimes seen as Jehovah-Ropheka, or Jehovah-Rophi but all refer to the LORD That Heals. Rophe ("to heal") implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing (see Jeremiah 30:17 and Isaiah 61:1). He is the healer of our body, mind and soul. Wherever we need healing He can heal. Exodus 15:22-26 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." [Jehovah Rophe] There is a lot of meat in these few verses. God had recently delivered the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, parted the Red Sea for them and destroyed their enemies. That is healing by deliverance in every sense. Now we see Jehovah-Ropheka providing water for them in the desert, but there is so much more happening. He is turning their grumbling into sweetness, that is emotional and spiritual healing. He is promising them that no diseases will come on them if they are obedient. That is healing by prevention. He gives us the ultimate healing by providing the means of our new birth. With His healing touch we are made new creations and stand without condemnation before Him. The Scriptures, particularly the Gospel narratives are filled with accounts of His healing touch. The blind see, the lame walk and the mute talk because of His touch or His Word. The woman who had been bleeding for twelve years was healed by simply touching His garment. There is no one better equipped to heal us than the Master who created every fiber of our being. He knows every cell in our body and every part of those cells. He understands the inner workings of our mind and bodies in ways that medical science has yet to even come close to comprehending. He is truly the LORD That Heals. 49

50 21 When we need a relationship restored we can seek Jehovah-Rophe. When our bodies are sick He can heal them. When our spirits and minds have been wounded we can turn to our LORD Who Heals. Whatever our need He can look after it. Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Call upon the name of Jehovah-Rophe in the place you need healing in your body, mind, spirit, soul or relationships. 21 Public Domain Clip Art courtesy of 50

51 Jehovah Rophi, I am the Lord that healeth thee Heal us, Emmanuel! here we are, Waiting to feel Thy touch: Deep-wounded souls to Thee repair And, Saviour, we are such. Our faith is feeble, we confess, We faintly trust Thy word; But wilt Thou pity us the less? Be that far from Thee, Lord! Remember him who once applied, With trembling, for relief; "Lord, I believe," with tears he cried, "Oh, help my unbelief!" She too, who touch'd Thee in the press, And healing virtue stole, Was answer'd, "Daughter, go in peace, Thy faith hath made thee whole." Conceal'd amid the gathering throng, She would have shunn'd Thy view; And if her faith was firm and strong, Had strong misgivings too. Like her, with hopes and fears we come, To touch Thee, if we may; Oh! send us not despairing home, Send none unheal'd away! Scripture Hymn by William Cowper Exodus 15 51

52 Jehovah-Tsidkenu We have touched on many of the compound names of Jehovah (YHVH) and there are many more. I am going to rather arbitrarily stop our look at the compound names with Jehovah- Tsidkenu. Jehovah Tsidkenu is LORD Our Righteousness. None of us is righteous on our own we need His righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6 NIV In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. We know from the New Testament that Christ is our righteousness. It is through His shed blood, death and resurrection that we can be saved. That tells me that Jehovah Tsidkenu is also Christ our Redeemer. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 NIV But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." Christ is our righteousness. In Him we find freedom from the penalty of sin. He draws us every closer taking away our propensity to sin. In glory with Him there will not even be the presence of sin. It takes my breath away to image that the great YHVH... Jehovah... LORD willingly came down as an infant to face death in a few short years for me. I believe that with all my heart mind and soul but I cannot claim that I truly understand it. Jehovah as a man and dying on a cross is a paradox. It is a simple, undeniable truth yet it is a mystery beyond comprehension. I spent a great deal of time trying to find an image that conveyed the power of Jehovah Tsidkenu and the crucifixion in a non typical way. We're so used to the typical images that they often seem to lose their impact and I wanted something that spoke with power about Jehovah Tsidkenu on the cross. I stumbled across this image, which is far from traditional, but for whatever reason it struck me hard. It won't speak to everyone, and perhaps come tomorrow it will not have the same powerful impact even on me that it did when I found it. 52

53 It is "The Crucifixion" a 2005 sculpture by Michael Dennie (a photo of the sculpture appears on the next page). Dennie says "This sculpture is attributed to Grunewald's "Crucifixion", which depicts Christ, not in a pristine and perfect image of himself, but contorted and twisted with lesions all over his body and a gaping stab wound from the Spear of Destiny. This has a much greater impact on the viewer in conveying what Christ went through to atone for our sins. This is what I tried to convey in my sculpture with the broken rib cage of Christ, warn metal and rigid makeup of the spine. The horizontal section of the cross referencing the crown of thorns, but also referencing the contortions and mangled nature of what Christ had to endure while nailed to the cross. A cross has been hammered into the spine of our Lord, right next to where his heart would be. This is to reiterate the holiness of the symbol, and to project that Christ's act of Love was not just something he had to do, but something that he did because he loved you and me more than we can possibly understand." The impact and power of the words and images fade with time. Unlike faded images and powerless words, the incredible power of Jehovah Tsidkenu existed before there was time, manifested on earth for a short while and will continued unabated for all of eternity. Different images speak to different people, yet Jehovah Tsidkenu is the one for all who will accept. He is unchanging and all powerful. Until next time, celebrate the freedom made possible by Jehovah Tsidkenu, the LORD Our Righteousness. 53

54 22 The Crucifixion. An artistic representation of Christ on the Cross. The power of Jehovah-Tsidkenu 22 The Crucifixion, Michael Dunne, 2005 Image courtesy of Wikipedia - Public Domain 54

55 Jehovah our Righteousness My God, how perfect are Thy ways! But mine polluted are; Sin twines itself about my praise, And slides into my prayer. When I would speak what Thou hast done To save me from my sin, I cannot make Thy mercies known, But self-applause creeps in. Divine desire, that holy flame Thy grace creates in me; Alas! impatience is its name, When it returns to Thee. This heart, a fountain of vile thoughts. How does it overflow, While self upon the surface floats, Still bubbling from below. Let others in the gaudy dress Of fancied merit shine; The Lord shall be my righteousness, The Lord forever mine. Scripture Poem by William Cowper Jeremiah 23:6 55

56 El Shaddai I have been asked why I am bothering to spend so much time on the names of God. That is a fair question. Firstly, the God of all Creation is worthy of our time, study and devotion. As we spend more time getting to know Him better we draw closer to Him. Secondly, born again believers are His ambassadors. As ambassadors it is important that we know the party we represent. Someone sent me the following which I think does a great job of answering the question. I have not been able to find the source of the quote. If you know who wrote it, I will gladly give them credit. When we speak in His Name, we represent our Lord and King. We speak for Him. As a wife is authorized to write checks on her husband's account, so we draw on the resources of God by speaking or acting in His Name. We can't take this privilege lightly. He "has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" through identification with Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection life. But only when we, who are "born of the Spirit", choose to "walk in the Spirit", are we truly authorized in the power of the Spirit to draw resources from the heavenly account. His names not only tell us who God is, they also in remind us who we are in Him. Since He is our Shepherd, we are His sheep. Since He is our wonderful Father, we are His precious sons and daughters. Since He is our mighty King, we are His protected and privileged subjects. Since He is the whole Vine, we are branches filled with His very life. And since He is our Bridegroom, we are His beloved bride and may delight in Him forever. By our union with Jesus Christ at the cross, He lives His life in us and shares with us His character as well as His Name. No matter what happens in the world, our lives are bound to Him in an eternal love relationship. Knowing His names will open the door of our hearts to all that He longs to give us in Himself. Thirdly, we have hardly scratched the surface of the significance and importance of the names of God. In the final few installments of this series we will look at the "El" names. In a future series we will likely look at the "Names and Titles of Jesus the Christ" and the "Names and Titles of Holy Spirit". For the time being though we'll bring the series to a close over the next few days. What are the "El" names? We have already looked at Elohim. The name "El" is usually translated simply as God in most English versions of the Scripture. It seems likely that it was a derivative of Elohim and appears approximately 200 times in the Bible. 56

57 Usually El is combined with other names for a descriptive emphasis. El HaNe'eman - The Faithful God: (Deuteronomy 7:9). El HaGadol - The Great God: (Deuteronomy 10:17). El HaKadosh - The Holy God: (Isaiah 5:16). El Yisrael - The God Of Israel: (Psalm 68:35). El HaShamayim - The God Of The Heavens: (Psalm 136:26). El De'ot - The God Of Knowledge: (1 Samuel 2:3). El Emet (or as we have seen already Jehovah-El-Emeth) - The God Of Truth: (Psalm 31:6). El Yeshuati - The God Of My Salvation: (Isaiah 12:2). El Elyon - The Most High God: (Genesis 14:18). Immanu El - God Is With Us: (Isaiah 7:14). El Olam - The God Of Eternity (Genesis 21:33). El Echad - The One God: (Malachi 2:10). Probably the most familiar "El" name is El Shaddai. In English we usually see it rendered God Almighty or the All Sufficient God. Genesis 17:1 NIV When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. How do we walk before an Almighty God and be blameless? It is, of course, impossible on our own merit. That is why He sent us His Son. We can walk before Him because He makes it possible. Once again we seethe marvelous way that God equips us to do what He asks of us. He is powerful but not capricious. He does not set the impossible before us and watch in glee or anger as we fail. He is not standing in heaven awaiting the moment He can squash us for our rebellion. He is not mean spirited and angry with His creation. Instead He is a merciful God who nurtures us and provides for us. In Hebrew "shad" the root word for Shaddai means "breast". To the Jews, the breast was symbolic of provision and nurturing. We see El Shaddai appear alongside of breast in Jacob's blessing on Joseph. Genesis 49:22-26 NIV "Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But 57

58 his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father's God [El], who helps you, because of the Almighty [Shaddai], who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, blessings of the breast [Shad] and womb. Your father's blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers. Jacob Blesses His Sons 23 When we read the Scripture we see that Joseph had indeed been blessed by God in many ways despite the hardships he endured. We see Jacob give the glory to God, repeatedly. He was strengthened by "Mighty One of Jacob", "Shepherd", "rock of Israel", "your Father's God", God, and Almighty. Jacob understood that there is power in speaking the names of God. We could learn a lot from His blessing in the names of God and apply it to our own lives. The great English preacher and teacher of a generation past Dr. G. Campbell Morgan captures much of the name El Shaddai when he says: "The name or title El Shaddai is particularly suggestive, meaning quite literally, 'the mighty one of resource or sufficiency'. We miss much of the beauty by our rendering God Almighty. The idea of almightiness is present, but is not fully expressed in the word El. The word Shaddai goes further, and suggests perfect supply and perfect comfort. We should reach the idea better by rendering 'God all bountiful' or 'God all Sufficient'.... To gather sustenance and consolation from the bosom of God is to be made strong for the pilgrimage." 24 As you travel down the pathway of life, may you experience the blessing of El Shaddai and be equipped and strengthened for your pilgrimage. 23 Jacob blesses his sons, From "Biblia sacra utriusque Testamenti : iuxta veterem translationem", Friedrich Peypus (author). Published 1530 Artist UNKNOWN; Master Connected to the Protestant Reformation Era Writings. Public Domain 24 Cited in Lockyer, Herbert. All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, page 14 58

59 El Olam As we prepare to bring this series in for a landing, I want to look at El Olam. This name has come to mean the unchanging, eternal God. Genesis 21:33 NIV Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD [Jehovah], the Eternal God [El-Olam]. El Olam is good and never changes. Tamarisk Tree 25 Psalm 100:5 NIV For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. 25 Courtesy of Kansas State Department of Agriculture 59

60 Hebrews 13:8 NIV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. We can count on El Olam, our everlasting eternal God to remain consistent from moment to moment, day to day, week to week, year to year and eternity to eternity. No matter what the world throws at us, He remains steadfast. He never grows tired or loses interest in us. Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD [Jehovah] is the everlasting God, the Eternal God [El-Olam], the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. We can rest secure in our freedom through Christ because Scripture makes it clear that he never changes. Despite our lack of faithfulness, He stays faithful. Despite our inability to be holy, we are made holy because He is always holy. We can love, because He loves unconditionally and forever. Security and safety abound for those found in the arms of El-Olam through the shed blood of Jesus the Christ. Until next time, rejoice in the unchanging love and faithfulness of El Olam. 60

61 El Elyon Our first encounter with El Elyon (God Most High) as a name of God is in Genesis 14: We pick up the account where Abram has rescued Lot and his family from the kings that raised Sodom. Genesis 14:17-15:1 NIV After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High [El Elyon], and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High [El Elyon], Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High [El Elyon], who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High [Jehovah - El Elyon], Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, `I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me--to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share." After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " 26 The King of Salem blesses Abram 26 The King of Salem blesses Abram, CAROLSFELD, Julius Schnorr von Engraving 61

62 Under the blessing of El Elyon, Abram battled overwhelming odds and defeated the armies of four kings. God Most High is sovereign over everything. Satan needed God's permission to attack Jon and Christ's permission to sift the disciples. King Nebuchadnezzar, one of the most powerful rulers in the world was plagued by a vision from God. Daniel the prophet interpreted that vision and it came true. Daniel 4:24-35 NIV "This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree the Most High [ Elyon] has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High [Elyon] is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue." All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan king soon learned that El Elyon is in control of all things. Satan strove to be like El Elyon and that led to his downfall 62

63 Isaiah 14:12-24 NIV How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High [Elyon]." But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?" All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb. But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot, you will not join them in burial, for you have destroyed your land and killed your people. The offspring of the wicked will never be mentioned again. Prepare a place to slaughter his sons for the sins of their forefathers; they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities. "I will rise up against them," declares the LORD Almighty. "I will cut off from Babylon her name and survivors, her offspring and descendants," declares the LORD. "I will turn her into a place for owls and into swampland; I will weep her with the broom of destruction," declares the LORD Almighty [El Elyon]. The LORD Almighty [El Elyon] has sworn, Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. Such is the fate of all who would rebel and in their folly attempt to usurp the power of El Elyon. This includes all those who try to earn their way to salvation, or deny their need of a savior. God does not decree all things, evil things happens for the purposes of evil, but God permits them for His own good. Satan thought he had triumphed at Calvary, yet his triumph was transformed into God's ultimate victory. I cannot explain why God allows some of the things that He does to happen, but I do know that He is sovereign and I can trust His plan even when I do not understand it. Romans 8:28 NIV...we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose El Elyon is on our side. It is no wonder the writer of Romans asks the rhetorical question "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b) There is none higher than El Elyon and as His children we walk in ultimate victory. 63

64 El Elohe Israel El Elohe Israel appears only once in Scripture, as the name of an altar dedicated to God, but it is an important concept. Genesis 33:18-20 NIV After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city. For a hundred pieces of silver, he bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where he pitched his tent. There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. Abraham Sets up an Altar 27 El Elohe Israel - the God of Israel. God reveals Himself and can be known personally to people. Elohe is closely related to Elohim, a name we have already spent time on. Elohim has also been used to express this concept of a personally knowable God. Exodus 3:15 NIV God [Elohim] also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, `The LORD [Jehovah], the God [Elohim] of your fathers--the God [Elohim] of Abraham, the God [Elohim] of Isaac and the God [Elohim] of Jacob--has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. 27 Abraham Sets up an Altar, Artist Unknown. Courtesy 64

65 El Elohe is a huge promise to you and me. If He can be the God of Israel, Jacob, Abraham and Isaac, He can also be our God. He can be El Elohe Kevin (or Elohim Kevin) the God of Kevin. I am particular when I say the God of Kevin rather than Kevin's God, because somehow the latter seems to imply ownership. We cannot "own" God but He can be our God. We can choose to worship Him. This very personal form of a name for God dispels the idea that God is distant, unknowable and impersonal. He is not some vague cosmic force that is uninterested in His creation. It dispels the idea of deism (The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.) I have no doubt that when Joshua made that claim that he and his house would serve the Lord, that he knew El Elohe Joshua (although that specific name is not used in Scripture). Through the Faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone, He can be the God of your life as well. Who better to be in charge of your life than the omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing, omnipresent (present everywhere) God who created us? Rejoice that He can be your El Elohe. 65

66 I Am That I Am Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh - I Am Who I Am - in Hebrew I am that I am, or "I Am Who I Am" (pronounced Ehyeh asher ehyeh) are the most common English translations of the response used in the Bible when Moses asked for the name of God at the burning bush. We usually simply refer to Him as "I AM" Exodus 3:13-14 NIV Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, `The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, `What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.' " Since the Hebrew language has no past, present or future tense of the types we have in English, a more literal translation might be "I be that I be". It describes God as always being and unchanging. He does not indicate that He is the I was who I was or I will be who I will be. He simply is as He was and will always be. The very same God who existed before all time, reigns today and will be the same when times as we know it ceases to exist. 66

67 28 28 Moses and the burning bush LUIKEN, Caspar (Dutch, ) Published