The Names of God...
Submitted by Compassion on February 13 2000 at 12:26:16
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I promised sometime ago to do a study on this subject and I want to bring here what I see as an important biblical truths in revealing the character of God. First, and foremost the bible is inerrent [without error] even down to the smallest detail. When it comes to names in the bible they are not just labels attached to things, but contain deeper truths on the person revealed at that time. Surnames were not a common thing in biblical times. Therefore to know who your father was, was a very important issue. Therefore your genelogy was at heart to who you were. Example in the new testament it says And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. Luke 5:10. To know your geneology was your identity. So if your name was James and your father was Zebedee, and another had the same name and father's name, then to know your grandfather's name may be the difference in marking who you were. Besides the development of surnames has an interesting past. Some of our surnames come from our forefathers first names, ie Von Ike 'son of Ike'. Some were based on occupation of the forefather, ie Smith a trade such as a black smith. Some from where your forefather lived, ie Brooks one who lived by the brook. Or some other mark on the forefather, ie Coward someone marked as a coward. However, first names were not just a mere label placed on a child, but usually were characteristics the parents wanted that child to become. Gideon for example means feller, hewer, great warrior. And we find God speaks to Gideon saying, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. Judges 6:12. However, Gideon was anything but that as we see in verse 11. There he was threshing wheat by the winepress, to hide from the Midianites. How brave is that? When God chooses whom he chooses its not because of our their character, but because of God and what He is going to do with that individual. We can thank God for that, and of all we here must realize that. Now back to the subject at hand the names of God. In the old testament there are 3 primary names of God. In the Hebrew language they are known as Elohim, Jehovah, Adoni. Of the three Jehovah is the most known by us. Today I will look at the first of the three, Elohim. Now the KJV of the bible has the code for the names of God intact. Now do not misunderstand me when I say this, I am not saying the KJV is the only correct bible as some are saying, but rather this code is found here where it is not found elsewhere. Other versions of the bible have much value and are still the word of God. The name Elohim is translated by code in the KJV in the old testament as God capital 'G' or god small 'g'. So everywhere in the old testament in the KJV it is this hebrew word elohim being used. This word is characteristic of that god or God being strong, faithful, convenant keeper. So we should keep that in mind when we see that. Therefore, when we see that elohim is spoken of, usually further description is given as to what God/god is spoke of. Example - in Genesis chapter 1 it is God [the writer wants you to understand this is the true God, but no further description is given until the second account], but to make it perfectly clear says the LORD God created...found in Genesis chapter 2. Now when Satan is tempting Eve, he says, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Genesis 3:1. And Eve picks up on this in her response...but I will discuss this more when we look into the 2nd name of God. So Satan was saying has this faithful one say to you... If we jump ahead for a moment to Elijah is testing the prophets of Baal. He says to them, And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. So the test was to see who is really God. So what is Elijah saying but that, lets see who is faithful here, and lets see who is really God. That by the way is the testing we should be ready to test the Lord with. When we are tested, and someone says what makes you think your God is God. Well we should say it says here in the word of God that such and such. Test the Lord with His own words, and He will prove Himself to be true. If we are His and He says in the word that, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you., and it does. Then we should be confident that if we do seek Him first and do what is right in His eyes than we shall have our needs met. This is the confidence of faith. We know our God to be true to His word, and faithful as His name says Elohim. I don't want to make this too lengthly...so I will end here, with the bringing of the following two names latter. Much love in Christ to you all, and may He strengthen you with the strength of His might. Love in Christ, Compassion...Matthew 5:16 |