Apr 6, 2010

Jehovah-Sabaoth, Yahweh-Tsebaoth, The LORD of Hosts

Joining Yolanda again at Joy Comes in the Morning in our study of the Names of God from Kay Arthur's book LORD I Want To Know You. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.

The Name Jehovah-Sabaoth is used more than 240 times in the Hebrew Scriptures and is frequently used in many of the books of the prophets, Jeremiah, Amos, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. It is used 52 times in the 14 chapters of the book of Zechariah alone. It is a Name of Great Power. The NIV translates this Name as LORD Almighty, but I have to say that after studying this I find that to be a weak substitute Name for the LORD of Hosts.

Jehovah-Sabaoth is the Ruler over every other power in the physical and spiritual realm. When we run to Jehovah-Sabaoth we run to the One who calls on all of creation, physical, celestial, and angelic, to serve His purposes as in 2 Kings when Elisha asked the LORD to open the eyes of his servant.

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

Kay describes Jehovah-Sabaoth as the Name for man's extremity. I love that! I love this Name and what I have learned about God through this Name! Jehovah-Sabaoth is who we run to when we find ourselves utterly powerless and without any place to turn for help. He is the One who delivers and who judges His People. He does not wink at our sins, He judges and corrects us, but He doesn't walk away from us, He delivers us. Kay says this is the God who meets failure and offers deliverance. Jehovah-Sabaoth is our strong tower.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

This is the Name Hannah prayed to in 1 Samuel 1:6-11. This is the first time this Name appears in the Bible.
So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle[a] of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 1 Samuel 1:9-11

This is the Name under which David fought Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:42-47
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ..... Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”  1 Samuel 17:45, 47

And what a perfect time to study this Name because this is the Power that defeated death and gave us Life.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Now look at the often quoted Psalm 46:10 and we see that it is surrounded by Jehovah-Sabaoth, our stonghold.
The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD,  Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:7-11 (emphasis mine)
One more Scripture that I have to share here. This is what we do here in the blogosphere. We who fear the LORD speak to each other of Him and He is listening.
    Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
      And the LORD listened and heard them;
      So a book of remembrance was written before Him
      For those who fear the LORD
      And who meditate on His name.
      “ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts,
      “ On the day that I make them My jewels. (Literally special treasure)
      And I will spare them
      As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Malachi 3:16-17

I know this was long but I hope it speaks to your heart as much as it speaks to mine. This is one of the best studies I have done. If you are interested in studying the Names of God you can click on the links below to order either of these books.








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13 comments:

From the Heart said...

I love what you have written. Our God is all powerful. I think I'm going to have to get the book and read it. You have done a great job in relating all of the Names to us but it is a lot to take in. It makes me want to know Him by His names and to do that I've got to study it more.
Love you, AE

Heart2Heart said...

Edie,

I've learned so much more than just the meanings behind the many names of God but when to call upon those very names for our daily needs. Thank you so much for posting this.

Please stop by my blog today to meet a blogger in need of help!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Karen Hossink said...

Long, yes. But soooo worth it!
Reading this makes me think our language is so inadequate. "LORD of hosts" says so much more than "God" or even "Lord." I wonder how it affected a person's relationship with God to know Him by all these names. To understand the different aspects of His character that these names represent. Wonder how my faith and relationship with Him would grow if I used these names regularly?

Thanks for another great lesson, Edie.

Over "coffee" some day? *grin*

Yolanda said...

I loved the application of Easter Sunday in your sharing this week. He alone has The Power to defeat death and GIVE us LIFE. Praise Him, praise Him!

This morning I posted Jehovah-sabaoth.

Love,
Yolanda

LisaShaw said...

Oh Edie this is awesome!! Proverbs 18:10 is one of my favorites!

I enjoyed this study in the LORD. It brings me back to the studies I did of His Names. I'm going to have to pull out those journal books.

Love you girl!

Leaon Mary said...

Edie, it really helps me to read your insights into this study. I must say, I struggle with it and it definitely helps me to hear you and Yolanda share it like this. I wish we could sit together at the kitchen table and go over it together. Wouldn't that be awesome? I like to close my eyes and imagine what it was like with the horses n chariots ... Elisha and the young man. Can you just imagine if we "saw" really saw what goes on around us in the spiritual realm? Blows me away.
Our God...Our Jehovah-Sabaoth Yahweh Tsebaoth..... is .... and I stutter... because there truly is no word big enough. HE JUST IS!!! PRAISE GOD.

BodynMind01 said...

Edie I have to say that I was truly BLESSED by this post! Glory to GOD! I am going to purchase those 2 books as you have CONFIRMED to me that I need to study the Names of God! I am so excited from what you shared... can't wait to get the books and be able to share! I love you my sister and thank you!

Heidi said...

"Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle" from the hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God. I never knew what Sabaoth meant there. Now I do. He must win the battle, because he can do none other...In fact, the battle is won.

"His kingdom is forever!"

Thanks Edie.

My ADHD Me said...

Word Girl Was Baptized! How Wonderful!!!!

Now I'm going to read this post.

My ADHD Me said...

You speak to us all through your posts. I NEED a God that doesn't wink at my sins but one that holds me accountable. AND still loves and forgives me.

Thanks!!

Debra said...

Hi Edie!
This was so good. I think I need to get that book by Kay-I'd like to do that study.
Wonderful post...
Love, Debra

Jody said...

Thank you for always pointing me to Jesus. Have a beautiful weekend.

Patrinas Pencil said...

Edie,
I just realized you had another blog besides your design blog!! Glad I found you here too. I loved this post. WOW! how powerful! so much to know - when we study His Word. Your last shared scripture is one of my favorites - I love it in the Message Bible.

I joined you here tonight - so glad I found your personal blog :)

God bless you for all that you do for others... you have a nice family too you're a blessed mom!

Patrina <")>><
His watchman on the wall