The Names of God
Pastor Karel Beyer
Genesis 50:19-26
THE NAMES OF GOD
THE
OLD TESTAMENT revealed God unto man by His names as well as by His acts
(creation, miracles, laws, covenants, etc.). In every instance, the inspired revelation
tells us more of His character and being. Therefore, to know more about God and who He is,
it would be good to know more about the meaning of His Name, for therein lies the answer
to most of our inquiries of who we are, our purpose for being here and what the future
holds for us. For the next few days we will be looking at the Hebrew names of God and see
how they instruct us as to His person and work.
"El"
or "Elohim" translated "God" is the first of the divine names in
Scripture. It occurs 34 times in Genesis 1:1-2:3. This word means "strength" or
the "Strong One." "El" carries the idea of faithfulness. Elohim is
therefore, "the Strong Faithful One." Joseph used this name in Genesis 50:24,
"I die: and God [Elohim] will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto
the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." In this verse, Joseph,
who is about to die, emphasizes the fact that God, "the Strong One," has the
strength to keep His promises and to deliver the nation of Israel in the future. This
promise came to pass some 430 years later. When we understand that God revealed Himself to
be omnipotent by ascribing this name to Himself, then we can also be reassured that every
promise He has given will surely come to pass. What great comfort this is for the saint in
these troublesome, perilous last days (Jn. 14:1-3; Acts 1:11). KWB
Genesis 1:26 and 27 - July 6th
JEHOVAH-ELOHIM
THE TRINITY
is not directly declared in the Old Testament, but it is suggested by the plural form of
"Elohim." Genesis 1:26, 27 says, "And God [Elohim] said, Let us make man in
our image, after our likeness . . . So God created man in his own image, in the image of
God created he him." Genesis 3:22 also suggests plurality, "And the Lord God
said, Behold the man has become as one of us . . . " (cf. Gen. 11:7) . The Son is one
with the Father. When the Bible says in John 14:8-12, "...I am in the Father, and the
Father in me," and in John 10 30, "I and my Father are one," we must
conclude that the Father and the Son and the Spirit are indeed one.
''Elohim"
is also one of the names under which deity enters into covenant with man (Gen. 6:13, 18;
9:9, 17; 17:1-8). We find that God (Elohim) is the Trustworthy or Faithful One and that He
keeps every promise and decree He has made. We can depend on our heavenly Father who will
never leave us nor forsake us, for He promised that in Hebrews 13:5. We know that when we
study His Word, we will "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). We know that our Heavenly Father is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we confess our sins to
Him (1 Jn. 1:9) . We also know that our Lord will come back for His children to catch us
up in the clouds to be with Him forever ( 1 Thess. 4:16, 17) . Until that time, we must
walk by faith (Lk 27:32); our faithful Father will perform all that He has promised. KWB
Genesis 22:1-18 - July 7th
JEHOVAH-JIREH
ABRAHAM
WAITED a long time for the birth of Isaac. Although God promised Abraham an heir
(Gen. 10:2-6), He now wants the loving father to offer his only son as a burnt offering.
The Lord even specified which mountain would be the place of sacrifice. Many believers
today are not like Abraham who was "sold out completely" (v. 3) to the will of
God. We often have reservations when God gives us biblical instruction, or we intend to
hold back from total subjection to God's will. Therefore, many men and women are hesitant
to obey Scripture when it speaks plainly about sin, doing what is right, setting others
before oneself, serving God in the right manner, or doing good works that are pleasing
unto Him (Eph. 2:10). Jehovah-Jireh means "The Lord will provide." This is a
wonderful truth, for God promised to provide "himself" (v. 8) as the sacrifice,
God the Son, the perfect Lamb. This is a promise every child of God should consider in his
time of great need. Did not God provide "the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
of the world" (Jn. 1:29) for our sins? Yes, indeed, Christ will meet every need! Have
we such "little faith" that we doubt Jehovah-Jireh can provide comfort when we
are bereaved, or faith when ours is failing, or strength when difficult times come our
way? Can we call out in our hour of need and believe as Abraham did? Let us not trust in
our own self, but believe the Word which tells us that our God knows our every care and
will provide just what we need, according to His will and in His time (Phil. 4:19). KWB
Exodus 15:22-26 - July 8th
JEHOVAH-RAPHA
JEHOVAH-RAPHA
means "The Lord Heals. "The Hebrew word "Rapha" appears 65 times in
the Old Testament. It always refers to healing, whether physical or spiritual healing.
There are many accounts in the Old and New Testaments of the Lord miraculously healing
another individual, but man's need of spiritual healing is far greater than his need for
physical healing (Psa. 103:3; 147:3; Jer. 3:22). The account of Israel's crossing of the
Red Sea is a beautiful picture of obedience to God's instructions as found in Exodus 14
and 15. However, when we come to today's text, we see a different picture. The Israelites
murmured and complained. They were tired and thirsty. They had committed spiritual
rebellion and were therefore in need of the spiritual healing that only God could provide.
Moses prayed and the Lord provided for them (v. 25) The Lord gave instruction that if they
would diligently hearken to His voice, do that which is right in His sight, give ear to
His commandments and keep all His statues, He would bring none of the diseases upon them
that plagued the Egyptians. He could do this, for He is the Lord that heals. The Lord is
the healer of our spiritual inner-man as well. The unbeliever is healed when he puts his
trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We who are saved are healed of our sin when we confess it
to the Lord. However, we often murmur and act like the Israelites of old. Our murmuring
reveals a spiritual condition that is in desperate need of the Lord's cleansing. He can
heal and restore a right heart. KWB
Exodus 17: 11-16 - July 9th
JEHOVAH-NISSI
THE WORDS
of a popular hymn read, "Throw your soul's fresh, glowing ardor, into the battle for
truth." However, it is sad to say that churches today are marching with, praying for
and supporting those individuals and organizations that oppose the truth. Moses held up
his hands and Israel won the battle (v. 11 ), just as truth can only win when it is held
high. But that is a "heavy burden" (v 12). Today churches and individuals lift
up their hands to worship and help any false doctrine and new gimmick that arises . They
are not helping "stay up" the truth as Aaron and Hur did. No, they are like
Amalek (a type of the flesh), always attacking truth (v. 8) . Jehovah-Nissi (v. 15) means,
"the Lord my banner." Israel let down the banner so to speak (v. 2), and
therefore had to fight for survival. This is the same conflict we have , for our spirit
constantly battles against our flesh (Gal. 5:l7). If we, for some reason, let down the
banner, we will become oppressed. Some erroneously believe that once one becomes a
Christian, he has no more battles to face. But this is false, for even Israel was to
discover that Amalek would be around forever-"from generation to generation" (v.
16). We need to realize that we can only become victorious and stay that way if we
continue to hold the banner of truth high. We should not "rest" on past
victories like Israel did when they overcame the Egyptians miraculously with the Lord's
help, but we should keep on contending for the truth. Praise the Lord, we have a God who
is our banner, our help, and our stay. KWB
Judges 5:1-24 - July 10th
JEHOVAH-SHALOM
JEHOVAH-SHALOM
conveys the truth "the Lord is peace" (v. 24). Man is naturally at enmity with
God because of sin. We must always remember that the Lord hates and judges sin (vv. 1-5),
that He loves and saves sinners (vv. 7-18), and that only through the acceptable sacrifice
of His shed blood does He offer salvation to all who will believe (vv. 19-21). Israel had
capitulated and relinquished much of the land she had won from previous wars since she
became a nation. This was all done in the name of peace. In Gideon's time, Israel was also
"overrun" by the very same nations that are now set on doing the same (vv. 1-3).
Israel seemed to forget that there cannot be any real or lasting peace while being at
enmity with God (Rom.8:7). So it is with us as believers . We all must come to the point
where we realize we must first be at peace with God before we can have peace in any other
sphere of life. God hates sin and will judge it (Rom 1:18). However, He is merciful and
will provide away to escape if we make our peace with Him (Jer. 2:35-37).
"Shalom" can only come to every one that seeks it through the Lord Jesus Christ,
for He made peace for us with God the Father (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14). If we have the peace
of Christ, our heart will not be troubled, neither will we be afraid (Jn. 14:27). We also
will have peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14:17), and the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil.
4:7). Is there anyone in this world that does not want this kind of peace? KWB
Exodus 3:11-15 - July 11th
GOD-JEHOVAH
JEHOVAH
TRANSLATED as "LORD" appears about 7000 times in the Old Testament. The
primary meaning of Jehovah is formed from the Hebrew word "Havah" which means
"to be" or "being." It tells us that He is the Self-Existing One.
"Havah" also signifies "to become" - that is, to become known,
pointing to a continuous self-revelation of Himself. Thus, we arrive at the full meaning
of the word Jehovah or "LORD" as the "Self-Existing One who reveals
Himself." Jehovah-God or LORD, wants to manifest Himself to those who truly desire to
know Him.
The name itself
enhances the name God, for it suggests attributes of deity. In Exodus 3:l 4 God reveals
Himself to His people as the "Self-Existing One." Moses was at a loss as to how
he would explain to the Jews in Egypt who it was that gave the command for them to leave
Egypt. They did not know God in a perfect way. The same was true of the incarnate Lord of
Glory when His own family failed to realize His absolute deity (Lk. 8:42-43). He had to
reveal Himself to them in a manner similar to how the LORD made Himself known unto Moses
(v. 15). Jesus said that He was "the way, the truth and the life," "the
true light," "the bread," "the water," and most importantly,
"the Word (Jn. 1:9; 8:12; 6:35,48). Jesus Christ said, "I am" in John 8:58
, thereby signifying that He is the same LORD of the Old Testament, the One Moses spoke to
in today's text. How wonderful to know that when Jesus Christ says that "I am,"
He is the same Self-Existing One with whom Moses spoke. KWB
Psalm 23:1-6 - July 12th
JEHOVAH-RA-AH
JEHOVAH-RA-AH
means "The Lord my Shepherd." In Psalm 22, we see the Lord making peace by the
blood of the cross, for He gives His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11). In Psalm 23, we .see
the Lord caring for His own who are in the world. He keeps and protects His sheep. In
Psalm 24. we see the Lord return as the "King of glory." He is our Chief
Shepherd seen as the King who will appear in glory to give crowns of glory to the members
of His flock who have been faithful ( 1 Pet. 5:2-4) . The name Jehovah-Ra-ah covers the
past, present and future work of the Lord. As sinners, we were bought by the blood of the
Lord. A vivid description of the unselfish "deliverance" is found in Psalm 22:4,
5. As believers. we are like sheep, for we are ignorant, needy and weak. We need to be
fed, comforted, led and assured by our Shepherd. We have the everlasting
"assurance" of an ever-present supply of our needs. One day, we will be rewarded
by our Shepherd if we are faithful. We can rest with complete security upon the true
promise for the future (Psa.24:5; Heb 13:20). The sheep will prosper when they lay down
all their cares and trust only in the Shepherd, for they are weak and ignorant without His
constant care (22:26). Only when the sheep trust the Shepherd will they have rest and
peace forever (23:5; 24:9). It is comforting to know that Jesus Christ is our Shepherd,
that He cares for us and feeds us through His Word, and that He comforts us in times of
trouble. We can rest peacefully in Him. How marvelous it is to have such a Shepherd. KWB
FEATURE, A Daily Bible Study Guide, is available from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association. Click
here 
to go to the ordering form / price list.
Return to FEATURE Bible Study Guide Index
