The Essence of God's Name
Exodus 20:7
Jim Davis
You have heard the question, "What's in a name?" Names are important because they bring certain ideas to mind. Names like, Benedict Arnold, John Wilkes Booth, Ted Bundy or names like Nathan Hale, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.
Names take upon themselves the character of the one wearing them. Your name becomes what people think about you when they hear your name. What do you think of when you hear the name: Hitler? What do you think of when you hear the name: Billy Graham? No matter what name we are given at birth, it is up to us to choose the meaning of that name. We do this by the kind of lives we live. Solomon said, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1 NIV). How our names are esteemed is entirely up to us.
How do you want your name used? If we have a good name we want people to speak our names honorably. However, there is something more important than our personal name; it is God's name. God's name expresses the very essence of his being. How do we use God's name? What meaning do we attach to his name? Do we know God well enough to use his name?
The way we use names today is much different than the way God used names. When God created the first man he gave him the name "Adam." The word "Adam" means, "man." When woman was created she was named "Eve," which meant "mother of all living." God changed "Abram" to "Abraham." God changed "Abram" to "Abraham", which meant "father of multitudes." The name "Esau" means "red and hairy," because Esau was red and hairy when he was born. The name "Jacob" means, "heel grabber." Jacob was the twin brother of Esau. He was second to be born but he had a grip on Esau's heal as he was born, thus he was named "heal grabber." Sadly, it was a name he lived up to throughout most of his life. He was always trying to trip someone up in a business deal. Later God changed Jacob's name to Israel, which signified that he was a "prince of God." The name Samuel means, "asked of God," because his mother pleaded to God for a son.
Significance of God’s Name
Many of the Jewish names for God expressed a significant facet of his character. God provided a lamb to be offered as Abraham raised his knife to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. It was then that Abraham called God "Jehovah-jireh," which means, "God will provide." Abraham called the name of that place "Jehovah-jireh" to signify that God provided a sacrifice on that mountain. The mountain was called the place where God provides. They sought to lift God’s name in praise as God worked in their lives.
Moses called God "Jehovah-nissi" when God gave Israel victory over the Amalekites. Joshua went out to fight the Amalekites while Aaron and Moses went to the top of the mountain to intercede to God. As long as Moses held up his hands to heaven Joshua's forces prevailed. Moses called God, "Jehovah-nissi," which means, "The Lord is my banner."
It was this aspect of God's character that the psalmist remembered when he called upon God, "But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Selah Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered." (Psalms 60:1-5 NIV)
When God called Gideon to fight the Philistines an angel appeared to Gideon reassuring him of God's call to deliver his people from oppression, "Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites." (Judges 6:24 KJV) "Jehovah-shalom" means, "the Lord is our peace." When Gideon built an altar and called it "Jehovah-shalom," he was expressing his confidence that God would bring Israel peace through his efforts. The altar remained there as a memorial after Gideon's victory.
Names were used to describe God's majesty, glory, power and greatness. These names in themselves reveal how the faithful sought to exalt God’s name as he worked in their lives. The faithful Jews sought to exalt God's name to the highest and holiest levels in order to inspire their descendants to serve God.
Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (KJV)The word "God", in this verse is translated from a Hebrew word "Elohim", which means "God is the faithful one, He is the strong one." Many Jewish names ended with the letters "el," which were an abbreviation for "Elohim." Daniel, Joel and even the name Israel end in "el," as did many other Jewish names.
God's name took on meaning as the faithful Jews witnessed God's activity in their personal lives. Moses discovered God as his banner during the battle with the Amalakites. It was there that he called upon God as "Jehovah-nissi." Abraham discovered God as his provider as God provided a substitute sacrifice for Isaac. It was there in the most trying time of his life that he discovered God as "Jehovah-jireh." Gideon discovered God as Israel’s means to peace as he was called to battle against the Philistines. It was when Gideon led 300 hundred against thousands that he named God Jehovah-shalom. The name Moses used for God in Exodus 20:7 was "Elohim," which means, "strong deliver." It was there at Mt. Sinai, only a few days after Israel crossed the Red sea that Moses called God the strong deliver. It was there where they had just witnessed God’s power as they left Egypt.
The names the Jews assigned to God came about as they sought to lift their voices to praise God for his mighty works. The names came into being as God revealed differing aspects of his character. They came into being as they were seeking to obey the will of God. They discovered these aspects of his character because they were seeking him.
Lifting God's Name In Vain
The third commandment is about lifting God's name up in vain.
Exodus 20:7
"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (NIV)The Hebrew word translated "take" means "to lift up". This signifies that we must not lift up God's name in vain. If you have a good name, you don't want it used dishonorably. God doesn't want his name attached to that which is dishonorable.
The third commandment went beyond simply speaking God's name disrespectfully. We get overly concerned when we hear people of the world use God's name in profanity, but the third command wasn't given to the world. It was given to those in covenant relationship with God. It was given to those who had taken up the name of God. It had to do with lifting up his name through obedience to his will.
Deuteronomy 28:58-59
If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name-- the LORD your God--the LORD will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. (NIV)When the Hebrew slaves accepted God's covenant, they accepted the responsibility to correctly represent his name to the world. They were to live their lives honorably to bring glory and honor to his name. God had given Israel a name as he lifted them from the bondage of slavery and now God expected them to live so as to exalt his name before the world. They were to uphold his name as a people called by his name. They were responsible for how the world perceived God through their lifestyles. He didn't want them using his name unless they meant business.
When Christ came the Jews were blaspheming God's name before the world. Paul wrote, "You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (Romans 2:23-24 NIV)
When we as Christians take up the name of Christ we take up God's name. The names for God in the Old Testament came about in a progressive manner as he revealed himself in a piece-meal fashion. However, God has been fully revealed to us in Christ. If we have seen Christ we have seen God (John 14:9). Matthew writes, "'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'-- which means, 'God with us'"(Matthew 1:23 NIV). To take upon us the name "Christian" is to say that God is with us. When we take upon us the name Christian we take upon us the name of God. We accept the responsibility of honorably lifting God's name to the world.
1 Peter 1:14-17
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. (NIV)When we are baptized into Christ we are adopted into God's family. An adopted child receives a new name. We receive the name Christian. We should not lift up the name of Christ unless we mean business.
Revelation 2:12-13
"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live-- where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-- where Satan lives. (NIV)Exalting God through Our Lives
To exalt God’s name we must seek and find him for ourselves. As you study the Jewish names used in reference to God, you begin to realize how they were enabled to lift God's name up to honor specific attributes of God's character. The names themselves described the very essence of God that the Jews had discovered as they sought his will for their lives. When they coined a new name for God it was because they had discovered an important aspect of God as he revealed himself in their lives. The names came about through their personal experience of God.
Failing to discover God’s will diminishes our ability to exalt God. To exalt God’s holy name we must discover him for ourselves. We are not going to know how to exalt the name of God until we begin to seek him with all our hearts. To exalt him we must seek to discover and obey his will.
Psalms 1:1-6
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (NIV)The major reason Christians become bored with church and worship service is because they are not personally experiencing God. We are not meditating upon his will in order that we might walk in his counsel. You can't experience God until you walk in his ways. You can't walk in God's ways until you do some serious thinking about his will for your personal life.
There is a burden being place upon the church today that it cannot bear. The burden is to make God exciting for her members. Many get excited by what other churches are doing to create excitement, but how excited are you about what God is doing in your life. Do other members see that excitement? Does the world see that excitement? That is where real excitement comes from. That is where God is really lifted up in honor. There is no other way.
In Psalms 23:1, David calls God, "Jehovah-Rohi," which means, "The Lord is my Shepherd." David discovered God as his Shepherd as he sought to do the will of God with all of his heart. Have you discovered God as your Shepherd? We sing, "Have thine own way Lord, hold o'er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy spirit, Till all shall see Christ only, always, Living in me." But do we study God’s word to learn his will that he might lead us as he fills us with his spirit. How can God be our Shepherd if he doesn't hold over our lives absolute sway?
The worst kind of profanity is lip service. Whether we lift up God's name to honor or dishonor is largely contingent upon how we live our daily lives. Many lift up God's name in marriage vows but dishonor it by failing to live up to the vows they have made. I have seen many through the years take up Christ name in baptism. But they never darken the door of the church building again. How many times have we seen those who fail to keep a business deal?
We sing "Sweet Hour of Prayer", but fail to pray to God all week.
We sing, "Onward Christian Soldiers," and wait to be drafted into his service.
We sing, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds," and let the least little offense sever it.
We sing, "Serve the Lord with Gladness," and gripe about all we have to do.
We sing, "We're Marching to Zion," but fail to march to Sunday school, Wednesday evening Bible study or worship.
We sing, "I Love to tell the Story," and never mention it all year.
We sing, "Have thine own way Lord, mold me make me after thy will" but we never study God’s word and we don’t show up for Bible classes to learn his will.A young soldier was brought to Alexander the Great. This young soldier was facing court martial for misconduct. The great general asked this young soldier three times about his name. All three times he answered, "Alexander." By the third time though the answer was not with much enthusiasm. To which Alexander the Great replied, "either you change your name or you change your actions."
2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." (NIV)The way people feel about God has to do with how he is perceived through us. Has the blood of Christ changed our very nature so much that others clearly connect us with the God whose name we bear? If the blood of Christ has cleansed us from our sins those in this world should notice a real difference.
Conclusion:
An engagement ring fell into the sea off the west coast of Sweden. Almost two years went by before it found its way back to its owner. A mussel that was caught by fisherman Peder Carisson consumed the ring. Carisson was able to return the ring to its owner because its owner, Agneta Wingstedt, had her name engraved on the inside.
Can the world trace our lives to Christ because they can see his name engraved on our hearts? Do you see the results of His name in your life, how about family, your neighbors and friends and even your enemies? Are we glorifying God by being changed into his very image? Paul writes, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)
What kind of name are you choosing for yourself? Is it a name that refuses to take God's name in vain? Or, maybe you refuse to take up God’s name. Remember, even if you choose to make an honorable name for yourself, you can't be saved without lifting up God’s name.
Romans 10:13
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (NIV)Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (NIV)