Jehovah-Tsidkenu, Yahweh-Tsidqenu, The LORD Our Righteousness

Joining Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning in a 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 and sharing what I learn from both studies. I am still a week behind. I hope to get caught up this week but we shall see. :)

“ 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. Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NKJV)

The Name Jehovah-Tsidkenu is first used in Jeremiah 23:6. On our own we are not capable of being right with God. This is the verse where God reveals that He will be our Righteousness. Being born into sin, man is not able to live in complete obedience to God's law. We are slaves of sin, our hearts are evil, focused only on getting and doing things our own way.

“ The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)

If we are to be right with God, we need a new heart.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)

Jesus is the Branch of Righteousness referred to in Jeremiah 23:5. Jesus is Jehovah-Tsidkenu. He died to take the punishment for our sins but that is not where it ended. The forgiveness of sin was accomplished with every animal sacrifice prescribed by the law. It was not the Perfect sacrifice because it only accomplished forgiveness until the next sin was committed and then another sacrifice was necessary. What that sacrifice did not accomplish was to make us righteous. It did not change the heart.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

On our own we cannot become righteous. That could only be accomplished at the Cross for those who place their faith in Jesus Christ (Jehovah-Tsidkenu) and His power to save. When we place our faith in Christ, we are exchanging our bondage of slavery to sin for a willing slavery of obedience to Christ. This willing exchange is a result of the new heart we are given to be obedient to the Holy Spirit that now lives inside of us.

Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:16-18 (NIV)

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Raah, Yahweh-Roi, The LORD My Shepherd

I'm a full week behind in posting my study of the Names of God. When my back went out on me I was down for about 3 weeks and I have been working hard to catch up on my Blog Design work. I have a very hard time switching back and forth between writing mode and designing mode as the two are a completly different mindset, so even though I am doing the study,  posting has been pushed aside just a bit. Thank you for your patience.

Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning is facilitating a 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 and sharing what I learn from both studies.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Even non-believers recognize these words from Psalm 23:1. In this study we looked at Jehovah-Raah, The LORD My Shepherd. Throughout the bible God (Jesus) is referred to as a Shepherd, and His people are referred to as sheep. We're going to take a closer look at sheep too.

Kay referred to Phillip Keller's book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. This is a book I have wanted to read for some time but have yet to do so. Psalm 23:2 begins "He makes me to lie down in green pastures." According to Kay, Keller says that it is impossible for sheep to lay down unless four things are in place.

1. They are free from hunger.
2. They are free from fear.
3. They are free from friction or tension.
4. They are free from pests.

Sheep are easily aggravated and tormented by flies, parasites and other pests. This makes me think of the spiritual battle that we are in, and how we Christians often believe the lies of the enemy that lead us into paths of death. The enemy is a continuous irritant to us trying to discourage us, tempting us to do what is harmful, and attacking us in an attempt to overpower us.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Sheep:

• Not very smart.
• Timid
• Helpless
• Easily frightened.
• Defenseless
• Good at getting lost.
• Easy prey.
• Know and trust their shepherd.
• Recognize their shepherd's voice.
• When their wool is thick they can fall over and not be able to get up. (They need help.)
• When their wool gets wet it can get so heavy that it can pull them down under the water and drown them. (Heavy burdens)
• Good at getting into trouble.
• Stubborn
• Sheep will follow other sheep into danger or death (even knowingly) without thinking about how their actions will affect them. Ask a sheep "if your friend jumps off a cliff would you do it too?" The answer is "Yes!"

Shepherd:

• Cares for his sheep.
• Watches over his sheep day and night.
• Feeds his sheep.
• Leads his sheep.
• Protects his sheep from danger, and predators.
• A shepherd will sleep laying across the gate's entryway so that anyone wanting to enter the pasture where his sheep are,  will have to go through him first.
• Accounts for every sheep in his care.
• Picks them up when they fall down.
• Is gentle.
• Loves his sheep.
• Searches for his wandering sheep and brings them back.
• Talks to his sheep.
• Provides for his sheep.
• Lays down his life for his sheep.

Jesus, The Good Shepherd, became one of the flock, the sacrificial Lamb of God, in order to save us from our sins and lead us in paths of righteousness.

One thing that is amazing to me is that God entrusted the spreading of the Gospel throughout the whole world to mere sheep (us), and even the most powerful predator (Satan) of these not so bright, defenseless, fearful, stubborn sheep is unable to prevent it, and is unable to snatch even one of these sheep out of the Hand of the Good Shepherd.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. John 10:14

I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. Ezekiel 34:15-16

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

I so recommend both of these books if you plan to do this study.










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

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.










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Shalom, Yahweh-Shalom, The LORD is Peace

Studying the Names of God with Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning from the book LORD, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler. I would like to add that I am just loving this study. With every Name that I learn, I am drawing closer to God and learning so much about His character. If you have never done a study on the Names of God I highly recommend it.

In Judges 6 we find that the Israelites were still doing evil in God's sight so He turned them over the the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites so oppressed and impoverished the Israelites, destroying everything that they had so they hid out in caves and began calling out to God for help. We meet Gideon hiding out in a winepress to thresh wheat to keep it from the Midianites. An angel of the LORD shows up and commissions Gideon to strike down the Midianites with the assurance that the LORD will be with him.

So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Judges 6:24 (emphasis mine)

This is the first use of the Name Yahweh-Shalom in the Bible. When we think of peace we usually think of tranquility, serenity, and harmony with others, but as Kay pointed out, the Hebrew word Shalom takes the meaning to a deeper level. At it's root, Shalom means to be whole. The relationship is one of harmony and wholeness. It carries the idea of completeness, perfection, safety and wellness. According to Vines shalom as a harmonious state of the soul and mind encourages the development of the faculties and powers. The state of being at ease is experienced both externally and internally. This is a peace that is beyond our comprehension and it comes from living in harmony with Yahweh. Yahweh-Shalom is the source of all peace so it makes sense that His Son is called the Prince of Peace.

This study came at just the right time for me as I have been filled with much tension and anxiety lately but through this study I found Yahweh-Shalom again, and the peace that He offers in the midst of any circumstances.

Shalom my friends~











"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Mekoddishkem, The LORD Who Sanctifies You

Still joining Yolanda 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. Ann Spangler does not mention this Name in her book Praying the Names of God.

Okay so the week is almost over and I'm just now getting this posted. My back has been out for almost two weeks and I haven't been able to do much but lay around. I'm so tired of laying around, not to mention all the other problems this is creating for me. I appreciate your prayers.

¹² And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ¹³ “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. ¹⁴ You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. ¹⁵ Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. ¹⁶ Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. ¹⁷ It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”
¹⁸ And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 31:12-18 (emphasis mine)

 The word sanctify means to set apart or make holy. The Name Jehovah-Mekoddishkem comes from Exodus 31:13 as noted above. Jehovah referred to Himself by this Name when He gave Moses the command to keep the Sabbath. I never noticed before that Jehovah spells out the purpose for keeping the Sabbath here. It is to remember that in the same way that He made the Sabbath holy or set apart to the Israelites, He also made His People holy and set apart to Himself.

This was a reminder of His covenant promise that He is the One who sanctifies us. It is not of our own doing but it is worked out through our cooperative obedience to Him just as the Israelites were required to keep the Sabbath. As a matter of fact it's interesting to note that it was as Jehovah was giving the first laws (10 commandments) to Moses that He made Himself known as Jehovah-Mekoddishkem.

 ⁷ "Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. ⁸ Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy." ^[a]  Leviticus 20:7-8
Footnotes: a: Leviticus 20:8 Or who sanctifies you ; or who sets you apart as holy

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Nissi, Yahweh-Nissi, The LORD is My Banner

Studying the Names of God with Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning from the book LORD, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.

A banner is a symbol of identification. Unlike flags, ancient banners were usually emblems made of wood or metal that attached to the top of a staff or pole. It contained symbols that represented the ideals of whoever carried it so it aroused devotion to a nation, cause, or leader. A banner was generally a point of gathering for troops before a battle or announcement of victory after a battle was won, and it was carried, raised high before troops as they went out to battle.

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."

 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."

 15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. 16 He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."  Exodus 17:8-16

This was the first battle that the Israelites faced after leaving Egypt. Kay taught us in a previous chapter that the first time one of the Names of God is used in the Bible is significant. I also learned in my Sunday school class this last week as we prepare to study Genesis, that the first time an event occurs is also significant. Isn't it just awesome the way God planned and organized the details of the Bible? Even in ways that are not at first obvious.

The Amalekites are a symbol of all the forces that oppose God, the spiritual battles that we continually face. Kay focused heavily on the battle we have with our flesh, of choosing to die to self. As we have been studying I have noticed that all of the Names and events where they first occur, point to Jesus in some way. In this case we see Jesus as our Banner. He is the One who was lifted up on the cross to defeat our spiritual enemy.

Notice in verse 14 it says Yahweh will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Then in verse 16 it says Yahweh will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation. Under the Banner of Jesus we have victory over the enemy even though he keeps forming attacks against us. Whether we are going through a physical battle or a spiritual battle, Jehovah-Nissi promises to be at war with our enemies.

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1

...His banner over me is love. Song of Solomon 2:4

"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Jehovah-Rapha, Yahweh-Rophe, The LORD Who Heals

Studying the Names of God with Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning from the book LORD, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler. I'm a day late in getting this posted this week.

The Name Jehovah-Rapha is first used in Exodus 15:26 by God as He identifies Himself as the healer of His people. The word rapha means heal, cure, restore, or make whole.

So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” Exodus 15:22-26 (emphasis mine)

The word Marah literally means bitter. I found it interesting that it was only three days after experiencing the incredible miracle of God's parting the Red Sea, that the Israelites were bitter in spirit and complaining against Moses who was following God's direction. There is a connection made between this account and what Jesus did for us on the cross. The word bitter used to describe the water is an indication that the water didn't just taste bad but was likely in an unhealthy state which is why the people couldn't drink it. In the same manner our souls are in an unhealthy state in need of purifying before we are followers of Christ. The tree that God instructed Moses to cast into the water is symbolic of the tree that Jesus was nailed to. In His death, Jesus overpowered the bitterness of sin, and in being made alive again, He became sweet, living water for all who seek Him. This is the spiritual healing that is associated with the Name Jehovah-Rapha.

Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual healing is needed we should always seek healing from Jehovah-Rapha first. Whether for an individual or for a nation, healing comes from Jehovah-Rapha.

In the latter part of these verses, just before God identifies Himself as Jehovah-Rapha, He states the responsibility of His people that will bring the blessing or promise associated with this Name. There is a connection between obedience to God and healing. The nation of Israel was to trust God for their healing as they walked in obedience to His word.

Just as we have rules for our children, God gives us commands to protect us. We can look at many of the laws God gave the Israelites and see that He as instructing them as a physician would to prevent and heal illnesses. Many laws for cleansing and quarantines were put in place by God for their physical health.

Anyone the man with a discharge touches without rinsing his hands with water must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Leviticus 15:11

If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. Leviticus 13:4

During Christ's life on earth He healed many people of physical illness and disease, but his Healing did not stop at the physical. When He healed His purpose was always to bring healing to the soul as well as the body.

Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Matthew 9:2

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:14

This does not mean that all disease is a result of sin, as pointed out in the case of the blind man in John 9, but it does show there is a connection that God wants us to be aware of.

What is one way the Name Jehovah-Rapha speaks to my heart?

There is far too much for me to go into all the ways this Name speaks to me but one of the ways is in the way I as an individual have an impact on the health of the nation. If Jehovah-Rapha promises to heal His People of disease when we walk in obedience to Him, then when our nation is full of moral filth and evil, diseases of the spirit, I have to look at me, His People and sincerely ask Him to search my heart, show me my sins, and help me to turn away from them.

What is one way the Name Jehovah-Rapha speaks to your heart?









"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Yahweh-Yireh, Jehovah-Jireh, The LORD Will Provide

Studying the Names of God with Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning from the book LORD, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.

Whenever the Name Yahweh (LORD) is compounded with another another name it gives us insight into the very essence of God's character. The Name Yahweh-Yireh means The LORD will Provide. Yireh is derived from the word rach which means "to see". Because God sees the past, present, and future, He is able to know beforehand what our needs are and therefore make provision for all that we need. I found it interesting to learn that the English word for provision is made up of two Latin words that mean "to see beforehand".

Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." Genesis 22:10-14 (NIV)

The first use of this Name is in Genesis 22:14. Kay makes the connection between this account in Genesis 22:1-14 with the sacrifice that God made of His only beloved Son for our sins. God had told Abraham to go to Moriah to sacrifice his son. This is very near the place where Jesus was crucified. Abraham placed the wood for the fire on his son's back to carry to the alter. Jesus carried His cross to the place where His sacrifice took place. In both instances Yahweh-Yireh provided salvation. In the first instance He provided a substitute sacrifice, in the second instance He provided His own Son as the final sacrifice. Abraham's son was spared, Yahweh's Son was not.

...and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22:16-18 (NIV)

From Genesis 22:16-18 we see that it was because of Abraham's obedience to Yahweh that he received Yahweh's provision. In order for Abraham's descendants to be as numerous as the sands on the seashore, there had to be one grain in place. That one grain was the very thing that Yahweh asked of Abraham. Even though it made no sense at all, Abraham trusted Yahweh enough to relinquish that one grain. The only visible hope of the promise being fulfilled. It was his trust revealed in his obedience that brought the provision.

What does the Name Yahew-Yireh speak to my heart?
Yahweh looks ahead and prepares His provision for my needs, but He is not obligated to provide. He expects my obedience, for obedience is the means by which my trust in Him (Faith) is revealed. My part is not to worry about whether or not God will keep His part. My part is to trust and obey.


Oh Yahweh-Yireh, please help me to walk in absolute trust and obedience to you. In Jesus Name ~ Amen

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. Psalm 111:5

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. Exodus 19:5

What does the Name Yahew-Yireh speak to your heart?










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

LORD - Yahweh, Jehovah, The Self-Existent One

Studying the Names of God with Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning from the book LORD, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.

Yahweh is the most frequently used Name of God in the old testament, it is used 6823 times. It is written as LORD (all uppercase) in the Bible, not Lord, which we learned last week is the Name Adonai.

The first use of the Name Yahweh, actually spelled YHWH, is in Genesis 2:4 where it is compounded with Elohim (Creator). It comes from the word havah meaning "to be". Kay quotes Nathan Stone as saying "We must think of Jehovah (Yahweh) as the Being who is absolutely self-existent, the One who in Himself possesses essential life, permanent existence."

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Exodus 3:13-15 (NIV)

This is the Scripture where God revealed Himself to Moses by this Name, and we can see from this that Yahweh is connected to, and a continual reminder of His covenant promise. He is the One who powerfully delivered His People from bondage into freedom.

Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:5-7 (emphasis mine)

Here again we see Yahweh describing Himself and associating these attributes with His Name Yahweh. In addition to His goodness and mercy, He does not neglect to point out His authority to judge and the consequences our disobedience can bring on our family as well.


What does the Name Yahweh speak to my heart?
Until I studied the Name Yahweh, I never understood exactly what He meant when He said His name was "I AM". He was proclaiming that He is the One who was and is and is to come. There was never a time when He wasn't here, and that means here for His People too, and there never will be a time when He won't be here, and here for His People. Yahweh is here, for all of eternity, in full Power and full Love to act on behalf of His People.

As I study His Names, I find myself being grateful for having a concordance to look back to the original words and learn their meanings.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

What does the Name Yahweh speak to your heart?









"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Adonai - Lord

Study on the Names of God with Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning.
Studying from Kay Arthur's, Lord I Want to Know You and Ann Spangler's, Praying the Names of God.

The Name Adonai, or Adonay is first used in Genesis 15:2. When Abram first speaks to God about not having an heir, he refers to God as Adonai. Adonai appear in the bible as Lord, not to be confused with LORD which we will discuss next week. The definition of Lord is Master. Adon describes the one who occupies the position of master over a slave or servant. When applied to God it signifies His position as the One who is Master over His people, with full authority to reward and punish. In the form of Adonai, the word means Lord par exellence or Lord over all.

One thing that strikes me is that Lord is probably the most widely used term used by Christians to refer to God. I have to wonder how many of us know, consider, and take seriously what we are actually saying when using Lord in prayer and conversation. The bible says we should not misuse the name of the LORD, which says that God takes it seriously.

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Exodus 20:7

Even though this uses the Name LORD, we need to apply the heart of the command that God's Name is to be held in honor and used appropriately in every form. When God commissioned Moses to go to Pharoah, Moses really didn't want to go. This is how part of the conversation went.

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord (Adonai), I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." But Moses said, "O Lord (Adonai), please send someone else to do it." Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses... Exodus 4:10:14 (emphasis mine)

I have often wondered why God was so angry with Moses when there are other's in the bible who appeared to be pointing out to God how inadequate they were for what God was calling them to do. Moses was calling God Adonai, Lord, Master, but was not responding to God's direction as a true servant. Moses was misusing the Name Adonai.

A servant is owned by his master and has no claim at all on his own life. His position states his purpose for life, to do his master's will 100% of the time. He is not merely an employee who clocks out at the end of the day and goes home to live out his own life as he pleases, he is at the service and direction of his master all the time. He is also completely dependent on his master for all things.

The master has the responsibility of taking care of his servant's every need including food, clothing, shelter, and protection. It is also the master's responsibilty to equip his servant for whatever task he is required to carry out. A master doesn't require a servant to cook a meal without providing the food, or make a purchase without providing the funds for it. He must supply what is necessary to carry out his directives.

How does Adonai apply to or impact my life?
My heart is with Kay's on this. Jesus can't be your Savior until He is your Lord. (Master, Owner, Ruler, Commanding Officer) When we give our lives to Christ, we are not simply accepting salvation, we are handing over Lordship of our lives to Jesus Christ. This is what it means to follow Christ. If God is really our Adonai, then our thoughts and actions should always be on serving our Master and trusting Him to take care of all our needs.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. John 12:26

How does the Name Adonai impact your life?







"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

El Shaddai - Almighty God, All Sufficient One

I'm a bit late today but I'm joining Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning in a study of the Names of God using Kay Arthur's book LORD I Want to Know You. I am also studying from Ann Spangler's book Praying the Names of God and will share what I am learning from both.

El Shaddai is first used in Genesis 17:1 when God made a covenant with Abram to give him a son in his old age.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Genesis 17:1-2

The actual translation of El is might or power. There seems to be some division about the meaning of the word Shaddai. Some interpret it to refer to God's power in His judgments, but another definition is breasted. This refers to the power of God displayed as He provides all that is needed for nurturing, supplying, and satisfying.

El Shaddai is the One for whom nothing is impossible. It is His might or power combined with His Love and desire to care for and bless his children. Until the time of Moses, El Shaddai was considered the covenant Name of God. It refers to the One who initiates and maintains a covenant with His people as He did with Abram. El Shaddai not only initiates the covenant, but He accomplishes it in His power and not by any effort on our part.

One thing I found interesting is that it is at the time of His covenant with Abram, that God changed Abram's name to Abraham, and Sarai's name to Sarah. In doing this He added the Hebrew letter He ה which is the chief letter of His own Name, Jehovah, which produces the sound of out-breathing. Kay points out that this is like giving something of His own nature to Abraham communicating a channel of blessing to many others.

Shaddai occurs 48 times throughout the Bible, 31 of those occurrences are found in the book of Job. This is the Name of the One who sustains us.

How does the Name El Shaddai speak to me?

The first time I ever heard this Name, it was defined The God Who is Enough. El Shaddai is the one who fills my deepest longings. Not necessarily by giving me what I long for, although He might, but by giving me Himself. When El Shaddai fills me with Himself, I am filled, I am completely satisfied, all other longings fade behind the abundant sufficiency of this satisfaction. El Shaddai is the One I run to when my world is crumbling around me, when I am completely spent, and when there is no possible way in my circumstances.

But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. May the God of your father help you; May the Almighty bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, and blessings of the watery depths below, and blessings of the breasts and womb. Genesis 49:24-25

"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? Job 11:7

How does the Name El Shaddai speak to you?









"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

El Roi - The God Who Sees

Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning is doing a study of God's Names from the book by Kay Arthur, Lord I Want to Know You. For some reason I have been calling this book "The Names of God" but that is not the title. I will go back to my previous posts and correct my error. This has been a wonderful study and I am learning so much more about God's character and drawing nearer to Him as I study His Names. Thank you Yolanda for doing this!

Since I also have the book by Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God, I have decided to combine the two studies to glean more of God through my study of His Names. What I share here is only what I learn, it is not an in-depth lesson on His Name. I would so encourage you to do your own study and allow God to reveal Himself in ways that will speak intimately to you.

Hagar was Sarai's (Sarah) maidservant. Sarai had given Hagar to her husband Abram (Abraham) to conceive a child since she, Sarai, had not been able to conceive. By law the child would be considered Sarai's offspring. After Hagar was pregnant with child, the bible says she despised her mistress Sarai. The NLT says "she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt."

He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Genesis 16:4

Because of Hagar's behavior, Sarai began to mistreat her until Hagar couldn't take it any longer and she ran away. While she was sitting near a spring in the desert, God came to her, told her to go back and submit to her mistress, and He blessed her with a promise for her descendents. In response, she called Him El Roi.

Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” Genesis 16:13

This is the only time in the bible that the Name El Roi is used. I can just imagine Hagar sitting there wondering what in the world she was going to do now. She had blown it. Yes Sarai had mistreated her and that was wrong, but if she hadn't gotten out of line in the first place, she wouldn't be in this predicament. Now what? These are some of the thoughts I can imagine might be running through Hagar's mind.

Have you ever felt like that? Like you've blown it because of a wrong choice or behavior? I have. More times than I would care to admit. At those times I still fall prey to the thought that God might decide to look away or overlook me. I beat myself up for saying the wrong thing, offending another person, falling back into that sin that won't let go.

Whether it is an intentional act on our part or just carelessness that lands us in a bad spot, El Roi still sees us. He does not overlook anyone, ever, for any reason. He looks on us with love and mercy. He comes to us, picks us up, corrects us, forgives us, loves us, blesses us, and continues to use us.

He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3

How does El Roi, The God Who Sees, speak to your heart or impact your life?








"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

El Elyon - The Most High God

Joining with Yolanda at Joy Comes In The Morning we continue our study of the Names of God from the book by Kay Arthur, Lord I Want to Know You.

This week we studied the Name El Elyon which means The Most High God. Honestly just saying that makes my heart soar with worship and adoration. This is the Name that refers to God as Sovereign. He is in control 100% of the time. His Authority reigns over ALL things, ALL people, ALL creatures, and ALL forces. There is no one and nothing that can thwart God's plans. His plans will always prevail regardless of our choices, and regardless of Satan's attempts to prevent them. Even Satan has to get permission from God as shown in the book of Job. God not only has to grant permission, He is the one who sets the boundaries.

What does the Name El Elyon mean to me personally?

This is the God I had in mind when I was an agnostic and asked Him if He was real. I knew that if He was real then He could tell me in a way that I would know without doubt. I didn't realize it at the time, but He knew that I was appealing to El Elyon for that answer.

It is El Elyon that I look to when much Faith is needed in my circumstances or decisions. At these times I often say to myself "Either He is God (El Elyon) or He isn't." It is El Elyon that I place all of my trust in. It is El Elyon that I look to for what seems impossible. He is the MOST HIGH GOD and He alone is in control!

My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:10

I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, Psalm 50:14

They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. Psalm 78:35

For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, Daniel 3:26

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. Daniel 4:2

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

How does the Name El Elyon speak to you?










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

Elohim - The Creator

Yolanda at Joy Comes in the Morning is facilitating a study on the Names of God from the book Lord I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur. We are in week two of the study and the Name we studied is Elohim which refers to God as Creator.

It was very interesting to find out that in Hebrew, the him part in Elohim is actually plural and points to the triune Godhead. Elohim is used in Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.

On day five Kay discussed the purpose we were created for.

But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ....... ... everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Isaiah 43:1,7 (emphasis mine)

I love how Kay tied this in with the scripture in 1 Corinthians that says:

...the woman is the glory of man. 1 Corinthians 11:7

The word glory in the Hebrew language means "to give the correct opinion or estimate of." A woman is to honor her husband in such a way that it gives a correct opinion or estimate of Him as a man. So if we are created for God's glory, then our purpose is to live in such a way that it gives all of creation a correct opinion or estimate of God.

What does this Name, Elohim, mean to me personally?

For me, when I think of God as The Creator, I see a glimpse of how we were created "In His Image". Elohim has placed some amount of creativity inside all of us. We generally think of creativity as some artistic ability but that isn't the only form of creativity. Many people who aren't artistic are very creative thinkers. Elohim is both artistic and a creative thinker and it is abundantly visible in His work. I find it wonderful and amazing that He would take such an incredible piece of Himself and place it into the hearts of men.

I also think about the fact that everything Elohim created is unique, even things that appear to be identical have some attribute that sets them apart from each other. Think about how incredible that really is. Everything that Elohim has created is a "first". Everything is a custom creation of His. You are custom made. That says so much about how much He values all of creation including every person, past, present, and future.


So how does Elohim - The Creator speak to you?







"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou