INTRODUCING GOD

"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." Exodus 20:2 (NKJV)

In the Old testament there are three primary names used for God. The first of these is ELOHIM, translated "God". This name is used 2000 times in the Old Testament and is the plural form of EL. Its means to be strong, be preeminent. It is related to the fact that God transcends everything, including all other so-called gods or dieties. This plural form appears prominently in the creation accounts with the presentation of the triune God. Genesis 1:26 reads, " And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(NKJV). Note the use of pronouns US and OUR.

The second name for God is ADONAI which is translated "Lord". This name is used 449 times designating God as "Lord" or "Master". it emphasises God's absolute rule and authority. God is Lord of all.

The third, and most commonly used, name for God is YAHWEH translated "Jehovah" or "LORD". This mane is used some 6828 times and puts stress on God's personal relationship with Israel. Interestingly YAHWEH is unique to Israel. EL (ELOHIM)and ADONAI are used in other cultures for other powers. Israel is the only one to use YAHWEH.

YAHWEH is the name used in Exodu 20:2. in other words God is introducing himself as YAHWEH, the God who is taking a personal interest in Israel. that interest is demonstrated in the salvation given Israel from Epyptiam bondage.

YAHWEH or JEHOVAH is often used in combination with other words to further reveal God's heart for Israel. JEHOVAH-JIREH means "the lord will provide". in Genesis chapter 22 we see a father put to the ultimate test of faith. The father, Abraham, is called on by God to offer Isaac, the son God had promised and provided, as a sacrificial burnt offering. Abraham, Issac, and two servants set on what would be a three day journey. Neither Isaac nor the servants are aware of what the true nature of their trip would be. They knew only they were going to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. imagine the pain that shot through the father's heart as Isaac asked, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7 NKJV). Abraham's simple response was, " God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering," (Genesis 22:8 NKJV). They arrive at the designated place, and the altar is prepared. Isaac is bound by his father and placed on the altar. Abraham raises the knife ready to take the life of his promised son. At that moment God does provide and stops Abraham's sacrifice. Genesis 22:14 says, " And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day," (NKJV).

JEHOVAH-NISSI or "the Lord our banner" is used in Exodus 17. the Amalekites attach Israel and Joshua and the army of Israel were dispatched to battle them. During the fight Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, go to a hillside overlooking the battlefield. as the battle progresses Moses raise his hands. as As long as his hands were raised Israel had the advantage in the fight; likewise, if his arms dropped the opposition had it. With the assistance of Aaron and Hur, Moses continued to hold his hands raised as a standard or flag over the war zone. The eventual victory came because of Israel's faith in the one Moses' standard represented. After the victory Moses named the place "The Lord is my banner".

JEHOVAH-SHALOM means "the Lord is peace". In Judges 6:24 Gideon builds and altar and gives it the name "the Lord is peace". Gideon is about to assert his role as a Judge over Israel. he was the one chosen to call and lead Israel back to a life of righteousness and freedom. With this peace from God he leads a reduced army of only 300 warriors against an opposition numbered in the thousands. God, Gideon, and the 300 troops free Israel from Mideonite bondage.

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU (sid,ka,new) means "the Lord our righteousness". Jeremiah 23:5 and 6 read, "Behold, the days are coming,'' says the Lord, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (NKJV). Even though the now divided Israel is far from righteous, God makes the promise that one day He would make them righteous.

How does all this name calling apply to the Church? Simply by the one who was called all these names and many more, Jesus Christ. Jesus is JEHOVAH-JIREH, He is our provider. Some of His miracles were miracles of provision. He fed the thousands (twice), He turned water into wine, He provided sight for the blind, He provided the deaf with their hearing, He made the paralyzed able to move, he returned sanity to those out of their minds, He provides freedom from both physical and spiritual bondage. For us, He is living water, the bread of life, and the passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-NISSI, He is our standard, our banner. Luke 24 says that in His name the gospel will be preached. Acts shows the beginning of that, and it still continues today. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-SHALOM; He is our peace. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(NKJV). This peace is not the absence of conflict, but instead a confident assurance of victory. Jesus is our JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness. Consider these words, "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."(Romans 5:15-19 NKJV)

God introduced Himself to Israel. he declared to them that He wanted a loving, personal relationship with His people. And He demonstrated for them how He had done His part. Jesus has introduced Himself to us. he declares to us that He wants a loving, personal relationship with us, His people. he to demonstrates that He did His part. The question to us is, Have we done our part.

Dr. O