Jehovah- What To Do When You Are Afraid Series

Series: Knowing God [#3]

JEHOVAH- WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE AFRAID

Genesis 2:4

Introduction:

Last week we learned to know God by the name “Elohim,” the God who created you and I. Elohim is translated “God”. To know God as Elohim is to know Him as a God who creates. However, there is another name for God that lets us know that not only did God create us, but He also is a God who cares for us. It is a name to which we can run to when we are afraid. Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

In this study we will get to know God as Jehovah. The name “Jehovah” is translated “LORD” in all caps in most versions of the Bible. It is spelled in all caps to distinguish it from another name for God that is translated “Lord,” in lower case letters. Sometimes the name “Jehovah” is also translated “GOD” in all caps to differentiate it from the name Elohim. In some versions of the Bible it is simply transliterated “Jehovah”.

The name Jehovah occurs over 6, 000 times in the Bible and is 1st found in Genesis 2:4. Jehovah is 1st used with the name Elohim. The original pronunciation of this name was given to Moses by God Himself. Moses passed it on to the 1st High Priest, Aaron. In later years this name for God was pronounced only once a year on the day of atonement by the High Priest. The Jews had such great reverence for this name that they would not speak it.

The name Jehovah is a transliteration of the Hebrew name Yahweh. The original pronunciation of the name has been lost. Originally this name was recorded in the Bible with just 4 consonants, YHWH. We don’t know for sure what the vowels were, and therefore, we aren’t sure how it was pronounced. Based on research, scholars have suggested that this name for God should be pronounced Yahweh. When reading and even translating Scripture, the Jews would take the vowels from the Hebrew name “Adonai” (Lord) and insert the vowels from that name in the name YHWH and came up with the name YaHoVah. In English we pronounce that name “Jehovah.”

Genesis 2:4 (NIV)

“This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.”

The name Jehovah tells us…

1. That God has a unique relationship with His children.

It is significant that the name “Jehovah” does not appear in the Bible until after God created Adam and Eve. It is mentioned in Genesis 1:27 that “God created man in His own image”; but details are not given until chapter 2, in which the creation of human beings is central.

When God was creating the heavens, earth, plants, and animals, the name Elohim is used; but when He made humans in His own image the name Jehovah is used. The reason is that in the Bible when God is dealing with the physical universe the name Elohim is used. However, when He is providing for and protecting His children the name Jehovah is used.

It is important to note the name Jehovah (LORD) is used because this name lets us know we have a special relationship with God. We are not like the planets, the plants, or the peacocks. We have a unique relationship to the LORD.

The name Jehovah tells us…

2. That God cannot be improved.

The basic meaning of the Hebrew name Yahweh is, “He which is” or “He who is truly present.” It is the idea of self-existence and being present.

Exodus 3:13-14 (NIV)

“Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, `The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, `What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.'"

The name I AM is very difficult to translate because it is neither past, present, or future tense. It is all 3 at once. It is the idea of eternal existence. When it comes to where God came from we can simply say, “He is, He has always been, and He will always be.”

This name for God also reveals that God cannot be improved. There is nothing He does not know and therefore He has nothing to learn. He created all that exists and it belongs to Him; therefore, He has nothing to acquire. He has always been the perfect God; thus, there is nothing better for Him to become. The ultimate revelation of the meaning of this name is revealed in Jesus Christ.