Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Ps. 90:2
We often forget of the mighty power that God does have, in this Psalm the only
one written by Moses. Moses has a grasp on the mighty power of God. The God of
Israel.
There was another name given to God as well as Abraham could use in Genesis
And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the
LORD, the everlasting God. Gen. 21:33
The word LORD in verse 33 could be written correctly Jehovah. E.W. Bullinger
could describe the word Jehovah is the same God in covenant relation
As we see in Genesis, He is the everlasting one. He is the one in Psalms that
was in existence before the world was formed.
Yet we see the term Jehovah used when dealing with his people in the Old
Testament. His people would use the name to show the relationship they had with
him.
10 of the titles could be:
Jehovah Shalom -- Jehovah (send) peace
Jehovah Zidkenu -- Jehovah our righteousness
Jehovah Ro’I -- Jehovah my shepherd
Jehovah Jireh -- Jehovah will see (provide)
Jehovah Ropheka -- Jehovah that healeth thee
Jehovah Zeba’oth -- Jehovah of hosts
Jehovah MeKaddishkem -- Jehovah that doth sanctify you
Jehovah Nissi -- Jehovah my banner
Jehovah Elyon -- Jehovah most high
Jehovah Shammah -- Jehovah is there
Each one of these titles are used by people in the old testament. This study
started with just a simple fascination over the use of the name Jehovah in the
Old Testament, and the 10 different titles. Then as I looked at them closely and
read the passages they were found, it started to make me realize. Hey a lot of
these titles are titles Christ claimed for Himself while here on earth. These
are wonderful illustrations to show the deity and power that our Saviour had,
and yet how humble and low He stooped to provide Salvation for each one of us.
I pray you will stay with me and read through each one of these topics that I
have arranged in a specific order as I briefly explain how they were used in the
Old Testament and how they relate to our Saviour today.
Jehovah Shalom -- Jehovah (send) peace
Judges 6: 22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon
said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to
face.
23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it
JEHOVAHSHALOM: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites
The nation of Israel was in poor condition during the time of Gideon. The
Midianites had taken control of the Jews and the Jews had turned their back on
God, worshiping the gods of the Amorites (baal etc…)
Gideon was just a humble, poor Jew who feared His God. But God had chosen Gideon
for a special work. To free His people. But as Gideon spoke he realized he was
speaking to an angel of Jehovah. He began to panic for He was in the presence of
His creator. In the presence of the Almighty God. But God calmed his fears, and
told him to be at peace for nothing would happen to him.
Gideon realized the great presence he had just been in, and built an altar as a
memorial to his experience that day and called it Jehovah Shalom. For Jehovah
had shown him great peace and kindness that day.
John 12: 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me
should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came
not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Christ could have entered into this world witnessed the sin and swept the entire
planet into hell? Could have called upon a mighty force to conquer us? (Mt.
26:53)
Of course He could have, but instead He came in peace. It should humble us as it
did Gideon that day as he could witness Jehovah’s peace.
To think one so great would come for one so little -- me.
Jehovah Zidkenu -- Jehovah Our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23: 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell
safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
There’s a day coming in the future when Jehovah will return for His people the
nation of Israel. He will set up a kingdom and as meant in this chapter,
Jerusalem will have the name Jehovah Zidkenu because the righteous one will be
there.
What joy it will bring that nation to know that the one that delivered them from
evil is there dwelling with them
Romans 5: 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to
condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all
men unto justification of life.
The nation of Israel can claim the title as God being the Jehovah our
Righteousness, but let us continually be thankful that Christ is our
righteousness. Nothing we could have done could have saved ourselves. We were
lost sinners heading for judgment. No way of escape, but that’s why Christ came.
He did something we could never do. His work on the cross took away our sins.
The sacrifice of one has made us saved, rescued from judgment and ready for
heaven.
My terrors all vanished before the sweet Name;
My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the fountain, life-giving and free,
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU is all things to me.
Jehovah Ro’i -- Jehovah my Shepherd
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is MY SHEPHERD; I shall not want.
This is a psalm that is quoted often, in any type of circumstances especially it
seems at funerals. The psalmist could write this appreciating the fact that
Jehovah was there with him. Sustaining him, guiding him, directing him, ensuring
that all went well. The psalmist knew that even in his darkest times Jehovah
Ro’i was there for him.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall
any man pluck them out of my hand
The Lord Jesus Christ takes the time while He walked on this earth to show
himself as the Shepherd too. He was not just any shepherd though. This shepherd
had come to die for His sheep. The Lord pictured himself as the Shepherd. One
that guides us and helps us, and keeps us close to Him. “I will never leave
thee nor forsake thee“…Heb. 13:5
How great it is to know that the Psalmist could find comfort in Jehovah Ro’I and
we too can find comfort in the Great Shepherd -- our shepherd . Knowing that He
speaks to us through His word, comforts us and has given us eternal life.
Jesus is our Shepherd, well we know His voice!
How its gentlest whisper makes our hearts rejoice:
Even when he chideth, tender is His tone;
None but He shall guide us; we are His alone.
Jesus is our Shepherd; for the Sheep He bled;
Ev’ry lamb is sprinkled with the blood He shed;
Then on each He setteth His own secret sign,
They that have my Spirit, these, saith He, are Mine.
Jehovah Jireh -- Jehovah will see (provide)
Gen. 22 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and
he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where
is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt
offering: so they went both of them together.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place JEHOVAHJIREH: as it is said
to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
Abraham had been given instructions. He was to take his son to the mountain top
and kill him. But why would God ask such a thing from Abraham? God was testing
Abraham. God knew the outcome of what would happen, but performed the action so
Abraham could as well see his devotion to his God and the kindness that his God
has.
When Abraham could be asked about a lamb he could simply answer “God will
provide.” Abraham knew from years of faith in his God that all things would work
out. But did Abraham know in what way? If he did not know that still didn’t stop
him any even though it must have been quite heart wrenching as he walked up that
mountain to think that he could lose his son.
After the day’s events as Abraham could look back, I’m sure Abraham could think
back to his conversation with his son when he could tell him that God would
provide for him. Abraham was rejoicing so that the place that the experience
took place had a special meaning for Abraham. He named it Jehovah Jireh. For in
that place that day God had provided a lamb to take the place of Isaac. An
experience that neither Abraham or Isaac would ever forget.
Mark 6: 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when
they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to
heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set
before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
Here I would like to use Jehovah - Jireh, to show Christ’s ability to provide
for so many. We could use many examples of his this term relates to Christ, but
at this moment think of the 5000 people that had gathered around Christ that day
to listen to him. They were beginning to get hungry. After listening to Him was
He going to send them away hungry? No he provided for their physical hunger as
well that day.
Christ not only provided for us at Calvary, we have the comfort to know that as
we go through this scene of time Christ will provide for us. When we are feeling
down, need help in some way. Let it be a comfort to us to know that the same
that Abraham found comfort in, we too can and do find comfort in.
Ps 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Jehovah Ropheka -- Jehovah That Healeth Thee
Exodus 15: 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the
LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to
his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases
upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD THAT
HEALETH THEE.
The nation of Israel had been led out of captivity of Egypt and as they wondered
through the wilderness they came to Marah. They were thirsty from the journey
yet the waters of Marah were bitter and undrinkable.
The wilderness they had no water, they finally found what they thought would
help them, but it was no good. They began to murmur, Moses began to cry to God
for help.
God gave them instructions. If they were to obey Him and follow His commandments
He would bless them. He would heal them, and keep diseases from them. After this
was done they were blessed with wells of water. They could also find comfort in
the simple fact that He was the one that healed them of all sickness.
Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town;
and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he
saw ought.
24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he
was restored, and saw every man clearly.
As Christ approached the town of Bethsaida a blind man was brought to Him. The
people realized the power Christ had and just wanted Him to touch the man and
heal him. But God the Son had another plan. A plan could perhaps show us that he
was thinking of us today, wanting to give modern skeptics the realization that
what is documented in Mark could not be made up because mental blindness which
is named agnosia (condition of perceptual capacity) at the time of Christ was
not known of by man.
What the blind man was experiencing was what many people who were clinically
blind from birth experience if they receive their site today. New pathways need
to be developed in the visual cortex of the brain.
Christ began the healing and then stopped. Allowing the people, the blind man
and us to see a miracle taking place. Then the next step of what Christ did can
take up to a year for people to master today. He healed the man so that he was
instantly seeing and recognizing things.
Does this now show the great power in healing that Jehovah Ropheka has? If He
can take the time reveal His power in this manner, and can heal a man from
blindness. How can we doubt that our Saviour will not heal us?
Of course all things are in His will yet at the same time if we are living for
Him, if the other Christians are praying for us (James 5:15) we can be healed
and raised to full health -- God says so.
Jehovah Zeba’oth -- Jehovah of hosts
1 Sam. 1: 3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to
sacrifice unto the LORD OF HOSTS in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli,
Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
The people of Israel you can see here remembered God. Jehovah Zeba’oth for His
great power over all things. Over all realms of the universe. For this they had
nothing to fear. For the all powerful God was on their side.
Luke 8: 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a
loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high?
I beseech thee, torment me not.
29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For
oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters;
and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because
many devils were entered into him.
31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
As Christ approached the city of Gadarenes He met up with a man named Legion.
The man was possessed with a large number of demons, a man that no other man
could control. But as Christ could approach He could command for the unclean
spirits to come out. In doing so the demons suddenly realized their possible
judgment with two things they said “Torment me not” and they were afraid He
would command them to go into the deep or the bottomless pit. Notice here that
all He had to do was tell them and they would have to obey Him. For He was all
powerful. He was and is in control of all things -- Jehovah Zeba’oth.
Satan is still as powerful today as he was in Christ’s day and is seeking to
destroy whomever he can, preferably Christians. (1 Peter 5:8). It should bring
comfort to us to know that the one who has saved us from hell has power over all
things, and can protect and keep us and help us fight off any attacks of Satan
which may come in any form.
Jehovah MeKaddishkem -- Jehovah That Doth Sanctify You
Leviticus 20: 1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the
children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any
of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land
shall stone him with stones.
6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after
wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul,
and will cut him off from among his people.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD WHICH SANCTIFY
YOU.
Molech was a god of the Ammorites and Phoenicians. Some Israelites would in the
valley of Hinnom sacrifice their children to this false god.
God spoke harshly against this practice. He did not want His people doing such a
thing. God tells them they are sanctified people. They are people chosen by Him.
To do His will. To not get mingled with the false things of the world around
them for they are to be different, set apart. They are the nation of God.
John 17: 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but
that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 ¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified
through the truth.
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that
they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
We have the same lesson here in John 17 as the Israelites received in Leviticus
20. We are not of this world. We have been sanctified, set apart, by the
precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We should not be dwelling in the things
of this world. We should not be part of the sinful things of this world. Christ
takes the claim of Jehovah MeKaddishkem here. Let us be found sanctified for as
we see in verse 21 it will show the world what we have is real. Show that the
one that came from heaven was truly the Messiah.
Jehovah Nissi -- Jehovah My Banner
Exodus 17: 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight
with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God
in mine hand.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and
he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side,
and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down
of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it JEHOVAHNISSI:
The fight against the Amaleks was hard, for the Jews as they tried to defend
themselves against the enemy. Even though of their strength they could do
nothing without help of God. At the end of the fight, when the Israelites were
victorious Moses erected an altar and called it “Jehovah Nissi” to show all that
the altar was a symbol, or a banner of who it was that won the victory -- God
John 3: 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from
heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of
man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Moses and the people had something to be happy over. Their God had delivered
them from the enemy and wanted the world to know about it.
What about us? Do we consider the cross of Calvary our banner? Or do we try to
tuck it away and not tell anyone what Christ has done for us? If the Israelites
could rejoice over being rescued from physical death. How much more joyous we
should be for being rescued from the lake of fire for all eternity. To be
rescued from our sins and be waiting for our Saviour to return to take us home.
God showed His power through Moses. For when Moses hand’s were raised high the
nation would win the battle. How did God show us his power? Through His only Son
at Calvary. Christ and the cross is my banner. Are we ashamed of it? Or are we
going to proclaim it and make it obvious as Moses could?
Jehovah Elyon -- Jehovah Most High
Psalm 47:2 For the LORD MOST HIGH is terrible; he is a great King over
all the earth.
The writer of this Psalm could appreciate the fact that Jehovah was in control
over all things. He controlled and controls the governments and men of this
world. He is over all things. The Israelites as they could have times of trial
could find comfort in the fact that they had trusted in Jehovah Elyon.
Acts 5: 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in
this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend
to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God
rather than men.
Of course this verse won’t affect us in any way if we are not speaking about our
Saviour. But after the previous title of Christ, what He has done for us should
we not be proclaiming Him? Of course there is a growing number of people in this
world that do not want to hear about our Saviour. They claim that their religion
is just as good etc…. but is it? What other religion has a actual historic
figure that has a story of resurrection? What other books could stand up to the
test of time like the Bible has? There are no mistakes in God’s word, and for
the Christian we know how real this Salvation is. So if we get people upset with
this “Christian stuff” of course we don’t’ want to make enemies and get people
mad at us. But at the same time why be quiet? We have something great that can
not harm anyone but make them so much better. -- Saved for all eternity.
But how does this title relate to Christ? First of all. The preaching of the
gospel is more powerful then anything. The things concerning Christ have more
authority on earth then anything. Other verses that should give us immense
respect and humbleness for our Saviour and truly give him the title Jehovah
Elyon is:
1Pe 3:22 Who [Christ] is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God;
angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Rev. 1: 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.
Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is,
and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Rev. 20: 11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire.
Rev 21: 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life
freely.
Let us not be ashamed in Christ. Let us not be afraid to tell others. And let it
humble us for our Saviour is the Almighty God, He is the Alpha and Omega. In a
future day all men will bow to Him. The world will be judged by Him. To think of
the great ability of Christ and to think that He would be willing to die for us!
Jehovah Shammah -- Jehovah Is There
Ezek: 48: 31 ¶ And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the
tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah,
one gate of Levi.
35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from
that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.
During the Millennial reign it should bring comfort to the Jews to know that
after much destruction and persecution that God again will dwell with them and
be among them. What better place could there be then where God is.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
What comfort it should bring us. We have thought on how Christ died for us. How
we have entered into his family and how He is with us every step of the way. But
it didn’t end there. He has gone to prepare a place for us. We will some day be
in heaven and will be able to say as well Jehovah Shammah for Christ will be
there with us.