The truthfulness and reliability of God s word

Handout for The First Commandment and the Uniqueness of God 11-22-08 The personal name Yahweh has been substituted for the title LORD throughout. The truthfulness and reliability of God s word Num 23:19 (Balaam) God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? [Even though Balaam was a false prophet, he understood that Yahweh doesn t deal in falsehood.] Deut 32:4 (Song of Moses) He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. 1 Sam 15:29 (Samuel) And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent. 2 Sam 7:28 (David) And now, O Lord Yahweh, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. 1 Kings 17:24 (Widow of Zarephath) Then the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of Yahweh in your mouth is the truth. Ps 5:6 (David) You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. Ps 12:6 (David) The words of Yahweh are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Ps 15:1-2 (David) Yahweh, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; Ps 33:4 (unnamed psalmist) For the word of Yahweh is right, and all His work is done in truth. Ps 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Ps 89:14 (Ethan the Ezrahite) Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face. Ps 91:4 (unnamed psalmist) He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Ps 146:5-6 (unnamed psalmist) Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever, Pr 6:16-19 These six things Yahweh hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue... a false witness who speaks lies... Pr 12:17, 22 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.... Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. Prov 30:5-6 (Agur) Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. Isaiah 25:1 (Isaiah) O Yahweh, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 45:19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, Seek Me in vain ; I, Yahweh, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. 1

Zech 8:16-17 (Yahweh ref. restoration of Judah and Jerusalem) These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; and do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate, says Yahweh. Elohim and the First Commandment Jonah 3:3 Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was an exceeding [elohim] great city of three days journey. (In this case it s used to amplify the idea of greatness.) Exodus 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods [elohim] of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am Yahweh. (Here it refers to the false Egyptian deities.) Exodus 22:8-9 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges [elohim], to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour s goods. For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges [elohim]; and whom the judges [elohim] shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour. (Here it refers to the judges of Israel.) Psalms 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels [elohim], and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (Here it refers to angels.) The Jewish Encyclopedia states that elohim is plural in form though commonly construed with a singular verb or adjective. This is, most probably, to be explained as the plural of majesty or excellence, expressing high dignity or greatness. In practical terms, when referring to the God of Israel, the plural form elohim functions more like a superlative than a plural as we think of plurality. For the same reason Yahweh is commonly given titles like the Almighty and the Most High. Deut 5:6-7 I am Yahweh your God [elohim] who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods [elohim] before Me. The lawgiver speaks in the first person singular I. He then gives his name, Yahweh, identifying himself as a specific, personal being. And he further identifies himself as the one who liberated Israel from Egyptian bondage. It s on the basis, then, of who he is and what he s done that he states his first requirement You shall have no other gods [elohim] before Me. By beginning and ending the commandment in first person singular, and identifying himself by name, he effectively eliminates every other object or being that could possibly be considered an elohim or god. What we see here is that Yahweh is requiring exclusive allegiance from his people. There is nothing in the commandment that can allow for a plurality of divine beings. The lawgiver, Yahweh, is clearly singular and unique. The Uniqueness of God Exodus 8:10 [Moses speaking to Pharaoh] Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh our God. Exodus 20:2-3 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. 2

Deuteronomy 3:24 O Lord Yahweh, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? Deuteronomy 4:35, 39 To you it was shown, that you might know that Yahweh Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.... Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that Yahweh Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Deuteronomy 5:6-7 I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. Deuteronomy 10:14, 17 Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to Yahweh your God, also the earth with all that is in it.... For Yahweh your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. Deuteronomy 32:39 Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me... Deuteronomy 33:26 There is no one like the God of Jeshurun [a poetic name for Israel], who rides the heavens to help you, and in his excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge... 1 Samuel 2:2 There is none holy like Yahweh, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. 2 Samuel 7:22, 28 Therefore You are great, O Lord Yahweh. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.... And now, O Lord Yahweh, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. 2 Samuel 22:31-32 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of Yahweh is proven; he is a shield to all who trust in him. For who is God, except Yahweh? And who is a rock, except our God? 1 Kings 8:22-23 Then Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said: Yahweh God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep your covenant and mercy with your servants who walk before you with all their heart. 1 Kings 8:59-60 [Solomon blessing the congregation] And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near Yahweh our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day may require, that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh is God; there is no other. 2 Kings 19:15, 19 Then Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh, and said: O Yahweh God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.... Now therefore, O Yahweh our God, I pray, save us from his [Sennacherib s] hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are Yahweh God, You alone. 1 Chronicles 17:20 O Yahweh, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 1 Chronicles 29:10-12 Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the congregation; and David said: Blessed are You, Yahweh God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Yahweh, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Yahweh, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 3

2 Chronicles 6:12, 14 Then Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands... and said: Yahweh God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. Nehemiah 9:5-6 Then the Levites... said: Stand up and bless Yahweh your God forever and ever! Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are Yahweh; You made the heaven, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all things on it, the seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. You are Yahweh God, who chose Abram, and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees and gave him the name Abraham. [compare with Acts 3:13] Psalms 18:30-31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of Yahweh is proven; He is a shield to all who trust him. For who is God, except Yahweh? And who is a rock, except our God? Psalms 83:18 Let them know that you alone bear the name Yahweh, Most High over all the earth. (New Jerusalem Bible) [compare with Mark 5:7] Psalms 86:8-10 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. All nations who You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name, for You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Psalms 89:5-6, 8, 11 And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Yahweh; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. For who in the heavens can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to Yahweh?... O Yahweh God of hosts, who is mighty like You, O Yahweh? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.... The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all its fullness, You have founded them. Psalms 113:4-6 Yahweh is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like Yahweh our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? Psalms 135:5 For I know that Yahweh is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Psalms 136:2, 4, 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!... To Him who alone does great wonders... Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For his mercy endures forever. Isaiah 2: 11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and Yahweh alone shall be exalted in that day. (repeated in verse 17) Isaiah 37:20 Now therefore, O Yahweh our God, save us from his [Sennacherib s] hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are Yahweh, You alone. Isaiah 40:25 To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal? says the Holy One. Isaiah 42:5, 8 Thus says God Yahweh, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it:... I am Yahweh, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images. Isaiah 43:10-11, 15 You are My witnesses, says Yahweh, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am Yahweh, and besides Me there is no savior.... I am Yahweh, you Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. Isaiah 44:6, 8 Thus says Yahweh, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Yahweh of hosts: I am the First and I am the Last; besides me there is no God.... Do not fear, nor be afraid; have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one. 4

Isaiah 44:24 Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: I am Yahweh, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself. Isaiah 45:5-6 I am Yahweh, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that you may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:14 Thus says Yahweh:... They will make supplication to you, saying, Surely God is in you, and there is no other; there is no other God. Isaiah 45:18-19 For thus says Yahweh, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who has established it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: I am Yahweh, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, Seek Me in vain ; I, Yahweh, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Isaiah 45:21-23 Tell and bring forth your case; yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, Yahweh? And there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for him. Jeremiah 10:6 Inasmuch as there is none like You, O Yahweh (You are great, and Your name is great in might) Jeremiah 10:10 But Yahweh is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King... Hosea 13:4 Yet I am Yahweh your God ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me; for there is no savior besides Me. Joel 2:27 Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Yahweh your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. Zechariah 14:9 Yahweh shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be Yahweh is one, and His name one. Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Mark 10:17-18 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? So Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. Mark 12:28-34 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all? Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one. And you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. So the scribe said to Him, Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. But after that no one dared question Him. 5

John 5:44 [Jesus addressing Jewish religious leaders] How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? (New American Standard Bible) John 17:3 [Jesus praying to God] And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Acts 17:24, 31 [Paul addressing the Athenians] God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.... He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! 6