I would like to take some time and write about the names of God. Names portray ones background, character and attributes, and in some cases ones desires. When our parents named us they either picked a name from our ancestors such as a great grandparent to give respect and remembrance for that person, or they named us after some famous person because they were so captivated by them. Some pick names because of the meaning of the name. Others name their children after biblical characters in order to maintain a spiritual connection to the family heritage. Others picked names just because they liked them and it distinguishes us from others. But have we ever considered the names of God, or for that manner why God even has names? Names can and do give meaning to the one who holds that name. There are several names of God but I would like to only look at a few. I hope each who read this will take some time and reflect on these names, for in these names lies the very essence, character and attributes of God, the creator of the universe and all that is.
First let me say this, in all the scriptures God only refers to Himself by one name, "I AM." "God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exodus 3:1-14). Take some time and read the rest of the story. Now the question would be, what did God mean by this name "I AM"? David Wilkerson in his book "Knowing God By Name" wrote this:
"He is telling us that He is the everlasting one, the true God, with no beginning and no end. He always was, He is right now and He always will be. As He explained to Moses, "I AM whatever you need, at any point in your life. That is My nature, to be for you whatever you need at any given time. My name is I AM-and I want my people to remember it."Even though God gave Himself only one name, "I AM", the ancient Hebrews referred to Him by several names in order to describe His nature and character. In these names we can better understand who God is and what He is like. So why is it important for us to know the names of God? Here's just a couple of reasons the bible gives us. Various Psalms tell us that we receive deliverance through knowing His name. "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:8). "Because he has known my name...I will deliver him" (Psalm 91:15). "I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the Lord...I was brought low, and he helped me" (Psalm 116:3-4, 6).
Another reason we find is in Isaiah. "Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God" (Isaiah 50:10).
Here is a list of the names given to God to describe Him according to how the ancient Hebrews experienced His presence.
El Elyon------------------------El Ely-OWN
El Shaddai---------------------El Shad-DI
Jehovah Jireh----------------Je-HO-va JI-rah
Jehovah Rophi---------------Je-HO-va RO-fee
Jehovah Makkeh-------------Je-HO-va MA-keh
Jehovah Nissi-----------------Je-HO-va NEE-see
Jehovah Tsebaioth----------Je-HO-va Se-baw-OT
Jehovah Shalom-------------Je-HO-va Shaw-LOME
Jehovah Tsidkenu-----------Je-HO-va Sid-KAY-noo
Jehovah Shammah----------Je-HO-va SHAW-mah
Jehovah Rohi-----------------Je-HO-va RO-ee
In following blogs I want to give the meaning of each of these names and a brief summary of how the name came about. I believe that if we all begin to recognize and apply these names to our lives we will experience a closeness to God that we may have never experienced before.
