And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them (Exodus 6:2-3). …you have made your word [even] greater than the whole of your reputation (Psalm 138:2 CJB).
God reveals Himself, His power and His glory in His Names. He introduced Himself to Moses as Jehovah. Jehovah is the Latinian and Anglicised version of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton YHWH.
Let’s have a quick review of seven Jehovah names revealed to Israel on different occasions. When the children of Israel got to Marah, as they journeyed through the wilderness, the water of Marah was bitter. Through Moses, God sweetened the water for them to drink and said, “I’ll bless your bread and your water. I will not put on you any of the diseases that I put on the Egyptians, because I am Jehovah Rapha—the God that heals you” (Exodus 23:25; 15:26).
As they journeyed on, Amalek came out against them and, with God’s help, Joshua completely discomfited Amalek. In celebrating the victory, Moses bows before the Lord and says, “Jehovah Nisi: the Lord our banner” (Exodus 17:13-15). Hallelujah.
Their journey continued, and God said to the children of Israel, “In all your great victories, you must remember me and worship me, because I am Jehovah Mekadishcum—the Lord that sanctifies” (Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 20:8). Then we come to Gideon; he’s working in the fields and suddenly an angel appears to him, ministers to him and Gideon is strengthened. He bows his knees, builds an altar and says, “Jehovah Shalom”: the Lord is peace (Judges 6:24).
Years later, God comes into the camp of Israel and says, “Amalek is at it again”; and He said to Saul who was King at the time, “I want you to completely destroy Amalek because I swore that I would fight with Amalek in every generation.” Then God said, “I am Jehovah Saboath; the Lord of Host”; He’s the God of war.
Years later, He speaks to the Prophet Jeremiah, who was always weeping in intercession for God’s people. He prophesies the name by which God shall be known as Jehovah Tsidkenu: “the Lord our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16). Ezekiel the prophet reveals another name describing His millennial reign and presence in Jerusalem when His kingdom is established: “Jehovah Shamah”: the Lord is present.
This last revelation for the Old Testament folks ushered in “Emmanuel”—God with us, in the birth of Christ, as revealed by the prophet Isaiah. The Bible says the word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, and He was given the Name Jesus! That’s the greatest of all. All the previous revelations of the names of the Father were names of reputation, above which the Word-the living Word Jesus is magnified. “…for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (Psalm 138:2).
Everything in heaven, the earth, and under the earth responds to the Name of Jesus; that’s the Name of the God-head; the Name that’s above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). Blessed be God!
