The Names of God
Sermon by: Frank Denisi
Exodus 3:14
1. Jehovah – “The Self Existent One”- Exodus 3:14
a. This is God’s Covenant Name
b. This name is Highly Honored by the Scribes (bathing before and after)
c. The Reverance of the early Jews (They would not say it publically in fear of breaking the 3rd Commandment)
d. They would not use the word Jehovah publically and began to substitude in public reading with the word Adonai, which means “Lord, Master”
2. Adonai – “Lord, Master” (Matt. 23:10, Luke 6:36, John 13:13, Isaiah 6:8-11)
a. On the copies of the scripture they would put (aDoNaY underneath the word JeHoVaH. This would allow them to remember that the name of God is so Holy that they were not allowed to use it publically.
b. The modern scholars then gave a literal translation to Jehovah which is pronounce Yahweh.
c. Our Master (God) has the right to our Obedience!
d. We (Christians) have the privilege of Direction!
3. Jehovah - Jireh: The Lord Who Provides
Genesis 22
· 1. Read the text carefully and answer the following questions.
a. a. What was the setting for the revelation of this name of God?
b. b. What made this especially difficult for Abraham? See Genesis 15:1-6; Genesis 21:1-6; Romans 4:18-22.
c. c. Did Abraham really think he was going to have to take the life of his son Isaac? Genesis 22:5; Hebrews 11:17-19
d. d. How was this story something like the story of Jesus and the offering of Calvary? See Genesis 22:2, 5, 6-9.
· The Revelation of the Name Jehovah-Jireh, Genesis 22:12-14. The meaning of this name is The Lord Who Provides. The name is literally, The Lord Who Sees, or The Lord Who Will See To It. This is what we long for when we have a need that is personal and special; One who will see to our needs and provide for us. This is what Jehovah-Jireh means; the Lord Who will see to it that my every need is met. One Who knows my need because He sees. One Who is able to meet my need in just the right time as He did for Abraham, and One Who can meet it fully. For Abraham, it was the ram caught in the thicket that was offered in Isaac's place. For us it is whatever we need.