Hallelujah! Praise be to His wonderful Name! Hallelujah!
"What is Papa favorite number?" "Papa favorite number is 5!" This is what my daughter would say to me whenever I ask her this question. Indeed, 5 is my favorite number ever since I knew 5 is the number for Grace.
When Noah's name was mentioned for the fifth time in the Bible, it says in Gen 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." When Ruth's name was mentioned for the fifth time in the Bible in Ruth 2:2 "So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”
So, number 5 is associated with favor or grace. As much as I would want my daughter to know that is my favorite number, I want her to know it is not that number per se but the meaning behind that number. She will realize eventually that not only the number 5 remind us of Jesus, but we can all have the favor of God upon us because Jesus has paid the price by shedding His blood at the cross. Amen!
Last year, we did a series on "Knowing God". For this session, we would like to continue and examine His name in greater details.
In the Bible, we often see "God", "Lord" and even "Jehovah" being mentioned. Is God the Lord or God is Jehovah? If they are the same, why are there different titles being mentioned in the Bible? Is there any significance to these different titles?
The very first time when the word "God" is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis. In the original Hebrew is the word "Elohim". When God created the heaven and earth, the Bible stated the word "God or Elohim". In other words, the word "God" is associated with creation.
LORD (capital letters) represents the divine name YHWH, usually pronounced “Yahweh”. This name appear first in Genesis chapter 2 and in verse 7, it says "Then the Lord God took dust from the ground and formed a man from it. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nose, and the man became a living person." Therefore, the word "Lord" is closely related with man; it has to do with the relationship or covenant with mankind.
What about Jehovah? Here's an extract that explain this:
During the intertestamental period of Israel, around 500 BC, the Jews became very concerned with not blaspheming the name of the Lord. So rather than saying the name Yahweh, they would say Elohim instead, which is the Hebrew word for god. However, this did not solve the problem of what to do when one came across the name Yahweh during the reading of the Scriptures.
The Jews decided that when they came to the name “YHWH” they would say the Hebrew word adonay, which means “Lord.” To remind the reader to say “adonay,” and to maintain the presence of the word “YHWH,” they assigned the vowels of “adonay” into the consonants of “YHWH.” However, it was never intended that this form be read aloud.
https://www.knowingthebible.net/the-meaning-of-yahweh
The Jews are very particular about the name "Yahweh". They do not want to blaspheme the name of God. So, they rather call God "Jehovah" than the name "Yahweh".
In the Bible, we often see "God", "Lord" and even "Jehovah" being mentioned. Is God the Lord or God is Jehovah? If they are the same, why are there different titles being mentioned in the Bible? Is there any significance to these different titles?
LORD (capital letters) represents the divine name YHWH, usually pronounced “Yahweh”. This name appear first in Genesis chapter 2 and in verse 7, it says "Then the Lord God took dust from the ground and formed a man from it. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nose, and the man became a living person." Therefore, the word "Lord" is closely related with man; it has to do with the relationship or covenant with mankind.
What about Jehovah? Here's an extract that explain this:
During the intertestamental period of Israel, around 500 BC, the Jews became very concerned with not blaspheming the name of the Lord. So rather than saying the name Yahweh, they would say Elohim instead, which is the Hebrew word for god. However, this did not solve the problem of what to do when one came across the name Yahweh during the reading of the Scriptures.
The Jews decided that when they came to the name “YHWH” they would say the Hebrew word adonay, which means “Lord.” To remind the reader to say “adonay,” and to maintain the presence of the word “YHWH,” they assigned the vowels of “adonay” into the consonants of “YHWH.” However, it was never intended that this form be read aloud.
https://www.knowingthebible.net/the-meaning-of-yahweh
The Jews are very particular about the name "Yahweh". They do not want to blaspheme the name of God. So, they rather call God "Jehovah" than the name "Yahweh".
Is it crucial that we differentiate between "God" and "Lord" when we read the Bible? Definitely! The Bible is very accurate when it comes to defining these terms. Let's look at one example in Gen 6:22, 7:1
Gen 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
Gen 7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Notice God commanded Noah to build the ark but the Lord was the One to instruct Noah and his family to go into the ark. The creation (of the ark) comes from God but the salvation is from the Lord! Amen!
Gen 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
Gen 7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.
Notice God commanded Noah to build the ark but the Lord was the One to instruct Noah and his family to go into the ark. The creation (of the ark) comes from God but the salvation is from the Lord! Amen!
Let's look at another example. This is what David, in taking on his enemies, said this to Goliath:
1 Sam 17:46-47
46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 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.
Here in verse 46 it says " all the earth may know that there is a God...." and yet Daivd distinctively said that "..the battle is the Lord's and the Lord will give them into their hands."
Today, everyone know there is God, a God of creation, even the non-believer also know there is a God of heaven and earth, but not everyone know there is a Lord, a covenant keeping God.
Is it really important to know the difference between the word "God" and "Lord" in the Bible? Let's look to another example:
46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 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.
Here in verse 46 it says " all the earth may know that there is a God...." and yet Daivd distinctively said that "..the battle is the Lord's and the Lord will give them into their hands."
Today, everyone know there is God, a God of creation, even the non-believer also know there is a God of heaven and earth, but not everyone know there is a Lord, a covenant keeping God.
Is it really important to know the difference between the word "God" and "Lord" in the Bible? Let's look to another example:
2 Ch 26:5
5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions[c] of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
Here in this passage, the Bible talk about Uzziah who became king at the age of sixteen. And again the Bible distinctively mentioned when Uzziah sought the LORD, God made him prosper. Notice Uzziah sought the LORD, not God. But, God was the One that prosper him.
Who is this LORD today? He is Yahweh - the covenant keeping God. As long as we seek after the LORD, God will prosper us. Amen! Well, you might say that all these examples are from the Old Testament, how are we sure that this LORD -Yahweh is referring to Jesus today?
Let's go now to the New Testament:
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When Apostle Paul wrote this to the Philippians, he was quoting the LORD speaking in Isaiah 45:22-25 in th Old Testament:
22 “Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
23 I have sworn by Myself;
The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall take an oath.
24 He shall say,
‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength.
To Him men shall come,
And all shall be ashamed
Who are incensed against Him.
25 In the Lord all the descendants of Israel
Shall be justified, and shall glory.’”
In other words, Paul was taking reference from the Old Testament and citing the LORD - Yahweh as Jesus. As a Pharisee, Paul knew the Scripture very well. He knew exactly what he was saying: Jesus of Nazareth is YAHWEH.
Ironically, Paul was once against the church and prosecuted those who proclaimed Jesus as the LORD-Yahweh. He shared this in his epistles to Galatians:
Galatiains 1:11-16 (AMP)
11 For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard].
12 For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
13 You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.
14 And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased
16 To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone].
Apostle Paul received personally from Jesus Himself that He is the LORD-Yahweh, the Messiah. That encounter with the Lord which was mentioned in Acts 9 :
Acts 9:1-5
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
By the grace of God, Apostle Paul was called out to preach the Good News. This is consistent with the Old Testament. As in 2 Ch 26:5, when they sought the LORD, God will make them prosper. Amen!
And yet, the people in the Old Testament, under the law was only having the shadows of good things to come. Today, as a believer, we have the substance. Col 2:17 (NASB) says "things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."
We have the real deal today! Amen! And this has been the very plan of God. The manifestation of Yahweh in flesh. The Messiah is fully revealed in His Son, Christ Jesus. God to send Jesus to redeem us from the curse of this earth. So, that today, we are under the blessing of the New Covenant. For in the New Covenant, God no longer grant us favor based on our performance, God grant us favor based on His performance. Therefore, it is in our vast interest to seek Him-Yahweh. Because everything that He is, our God set into our account. All that Jesus is, our Heavenly Father see us in Him. The Bible says as He is, so are we in this world. All that Jesus has, we are joined heir with Him. Amen!
So, while the world will loose use the word "God" in everything that is happening, let's set ourselves apart and be mindful that we have a covenant-keeping God. And His name is Jesus, Yehoshua or Yahshua in Hebrew (Yah- God, Shua- Saves). He is the Yahweh mentioned in Old Testament, But, the people of Old Testament only had the shadows. Today, we have the substance. Jesus is the substance. And when we seek Him, God will prosper us, God will bless us and grant us His unmerited favor. Amen! Hallelujah!
5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions[c] of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
Here in this passage, the Bible talk about Uzziah who became king at the age of sixteen. And again the Bible distinctively mentioned when Uzziah sought the LORD, God made him prosper. Notice Uzziah sought the LORD, not God. But, God was the One that prosper him.
Who is this LORD today? He is Yahweh - the covenant keeping God. As long as we seek after the LORD, God will prosper us. Amen! Well, you might say that all these examples are from the Old Testament, how are we sure that this LORD -Yahweh is referring to Jesus today?
Let's go now to the New Testament:
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When Apostle Paul wrote this to the Philippians, he was quoting the LORD speaking in Isaiah 45:22-25 in th Old Testament:
22 “Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
23 I have sworn by Myself;
The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall take an oath.
24 He shall say,
‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength.
To Him men shall come,
And all shall be ashamed
Who are incensed against Him.
25 In the Lord all the descendants of Israel
Shall be justified, and shall glory.’”
In other words, Paul was taking reference from the Old Testament and citing the LORD - Yahweh as Jesus. As a Pharisee, Paul knew the Scripture very well. He knew exactly what he was saying: Jesus of Nazareth is YAHWEH.
Ironically, Paul was once against the church and prosecuted those who proclaimed Jesus as the LORD-Yahweh. He shared this in his epistles to Galatians:
Galatiains 1:11-16 (AMP)
11 For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according to or patterned after any human standard].
12 For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
13 You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.
14 And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased
16 To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone].
Apostle Paul received personally from Jesus Himself that He is the LORD-Yahweh, the Messiah. That encounter with the Lord which was mentioned in Acts 9 :
Acts 9:1-5
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
By the grace of God, Apostle Paul was called out to preach the Good News. This is consistent with the Old Testament. As in 2 Ch 26:5, when they sought the LORD, God will make them prosper. Amen!
And yet, the people in the Old Testament, under the law was only having the shadows of good things to come. Today, as a believer, we have the substance. Col 2:17 (NASB) says "things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."
We have the real deal today! Amen! And this has been the very plan of God. The manifestation of Yahweh in flesh. The Messiah is fully revealed in His Son, Christ Jesus. God to send Jesus to redeem us from the curse of this earth. So, that today, we are under the blessing of the New Covenant. For in the New Covenant, God no longer grant us favor based on our performance, God grant us favor based on His performance. Therefore, it is in our vast interest to seek Him-Yahweh. Because everything that He is, our God set into our account. All that Jesus is, our Heavenly Father see us in Him. The Bible says as He is, so are we in this world. All that Jesus has, we are joined heir with Him. Amen!
Grace and peace be with you.
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