You will need your Bible. I did not type the verses out.
A. Jehovah- RA.AH The LORD is my Shepherd
Psalm 23:1
This is the first time we see this particular title of God in scripture. It is expressed by David in one of the most used pieces of scripture used in times of comfort.
Many people know Psalm 23, even if they do not know any other verse of the Bible. It brings great comfort now, and I'm sure it has for thousands of years. The title of the Shepherd given by David in this hymn evokes an imagery that speaks to our souls. As you will see as we continue, each title attached to God's name was given to him out of an incredible, life altering experience from YHWHs' interaction with mankind. Just as understanding the great history of these interactions help us understand more about God. Understanding these interactions can help us to see how God interacts with man. We will observe these interactions and see if they can be supplanted within Psalm 23. By doing so, it is my hope that we can learn how develop the names of God within the experiences within our own journey.
B.Jehovah-Jireh The LORD will see or provide.
Genesis 22:14
When Abraham was sacrificing his son Isaac. Just as God would one day offer his only son, a part of his very being, He asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. As radical as the request so was Abraham's obedience! Isaac was on the alter. On the fire wood. Bound in ropes when a ram appeared in a thicket. I'm not sure I can even describe the feeling Abraham had when God, YHWH, provided that sacrifice, but it was out of that emotion, out of that uniquely incredulous experience, that he named the altar marking the place, Jehovah Jireh. The LORD who provides.
C.Jehovah-Shalom The LORD is peace
Judges 6:24 Here we meet Gideon. He is hiding while thrashing freshly harvested wheat. Just an ordinary man, doing an ordinary thing but under difficult circumstances. Israel was surrounded by Midianites and they were terrorising Israel by killing raids, and stealing their harvest. This is why Gideon was hiding. An angel of the LORD visited him and told Gideon that he had been chosen to lead a counter strike against the Midianites and wipe them out from the land. God also told Gideon to "Go within the strength you have:.." Take that first step of faith Gideon. Gideon felt inadequate for the task and before he was obedient he needed a sign. So Gideon brought an offering of meat and unleavened bread to an altar as a sacrifice. When he touched the alteit he was indeed speaking to the Angel of the Lord. He named the alter. Jehovah-Shalom. The LORD is peace?
Q. Why do suppose he used this name when it meant that he would be going off into battle? Why not The LORD of Victory In Battle, The LORD who Wins. The LORD who #KicksMidianitesButts
D. Jehovah-Rophea The LORD that heals you. .
Exodus 15:26
This scene is from the period of time the Israelites were wandering in the desert. Finally, some very thirsty wanderers came upon a water source. However, the water was bitter, undrinkable. Panic set in. The began to worry about disease and even death. On this side of history most people look at the complaining of the wandering years and look down on them as such a group of nothing but ungrateful, complainers. Remember this was no small group of people. Numbers 1:46 states that there were 603,550 men on foot 20yrs old and up. This number does not account for women, children, or men who are lame or bedridden. Add livestock... Add to that, the food required to feed them, medical, supplies, shelter... Logistically it would be like moving the residents of Columbus inside 270. , That many people had gone without water, finally the find a water source and it is useless! They saw the plagues of Egypt first hand. They truly feared God might strike them with starvation, illness, etc. But God intervened for them. Moses touched a stone near the water source and it transformed the bitter water into healthy water. Then God spoke to Moses and promised that He would not give His people the same illnesses that were inflicted on the Egyptians. Moses made a monument to remember this day, an amazing, emotional, miraculous day, Moses named the monument Jehovah-Rophea [Roffa]
E. Jehovah-Tsidkenu The LORD our righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16
This a prophecy given by Jeremiah of the coming of Jesus. When he mentions " The Righteous Branch of David" he is referring to the lineage of David. Jesus' physical ancestry can be traced back to David. It is through Jesus and only through him that we are able to be righteous before God. Jeremiah had a glimpse of this hundreds of years before it happened and prophesied the coming of The LORD our righteousness.
F.Jehovah-Shammah The LORD is there
Ezekiel 48:35
In this chapter and even previous chapters, Ezekiel is describing a vision he had of heaven. It is extremely detailed. Out of his human understanding he is recording this dream, and dividing the great city up into the 12 tribes of Israel. What I find incredible is that there s a sizeable portion that he sets aside for foreigners (gentiles) who are willing to be obedient to God and follow God's ways. He ends the chapter with the name of the city which is one of the most comforting, hope filled titles of God for me personally, The LORD is there,
G.Jehovah-Nissi The LORD is my banner
Exodus 17:15
In this chapter of Exodus we find the very first mention of Joshua in the Bible. Moses assigns him the task of defeating the Amelikites. Joshua goes to battle, but so does Moses. During this fight Moses stands overlooking the battle scene and raises his arms. As long as Moses keeps his arms raised Joshua would win, but if he tired and lowered his arms the Amelikites would gain the advantage. When Israel won Moses built an altar to commemorate the victory the altar was The LORD is my banner. In each battle where foot soldiers fought a flag, or banner was carried that represented who you were fighting for. This battle is the Lord's. You can wear the same banner. The LORD is my banner.
H.Jehovah-Mekaddeshem (M’Kaddesh) The LORD who sanctifies you.
Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8, 22:32
This title is different from the others. This is one that YHWH uses himself when giving Moses the law. God speaks to Moses and tells him that HE is the one who sets us apart, HE is the one who is making us Holy HE is the one who sanctifies, HE IS The LORD who sanctifies you.
Q. For Discussion: Look at each of the laws being given to Moses above and discuss why God chose these particular ones to emphasize sanctification.
(Psalm 23 with the above names inserted)
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd (Jehovah- RA.AH),I lack nothing.(Jehovah-Jireh)
2 He (Jehovah-Shalom)makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He (Jehovah-Rophea) refreshes my soul.
He (Jehovah-Tsidkinu) guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley
for you (Jehovah-Shammah ) are with me;
I will fear no evil,
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You (Jehovah-Nissi) prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You (Jehovah-Mekaddeshem) anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord (Jehovah)
forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment