Excuses (Part 1) Series

I’ve had times when I was sharing my faith and God seemed to give me the exact right words at the exact right time. It’s amazing, humbling, and exciting.

Back to God’s name. In the Bible, someone’s name gave a picture of their character. Jacob lived up to his name - deceiver. Barnabas’s encouragement echoed his name - son of encouragement. And Nabal, the fool, proved his parents were right to name him that.

But what is God’s name? God tell Moses:

“I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

In the Hebrew, there are no vowels, only consonants. So this is YHWH, where we get the name - Yahweh. Jehovah in Greek. The self-existence one, the Alpha and Omega, with no beginning and no end. The eternal and unchanging One. The personal God who is near to us. The One who is/will be. Nothing about me will ever change. This name for God is used 6,800 times in the Bible.

The Jewish people considered this name so holy that they didn’t speak or write this name. They would use Adonai, Lord.

God is described by many different names describing different parts of his character.

El Roi (Gen 16:13) - the God who sees.

He sees your pain, your confusion, your doubt. He is not on vacation. He sees and He cares.

Jehovah Jireh (Gen 22:14) - The God who provides

God knows your needs and He will provide for you in ways that will amaze you.

Jehovah Rapha (Exodus 15:26) - The God who Heals

God is the healer of our bodies and souls. Sometimes, He heals and restores our health and other times He heals us completely and take us home to be with Him.

Jehovah Nissi (Exodus 17:15) - The Lord is my Banner

God gives us the victory over temptation, sin, and death, not through our own strength, but through His. We can hide under His banner.

Jehovah Shalom (Judges 6:24) - The Lord is my Peace

God is the God of peace. He can provide you with the peace that passes all understanding.

Jehovah Raah (Psalm 23:1) - the Lord is my Shepherd

God is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. He leads beside quiet waters and restores our souls.

Jehovah Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 23:6) - the Lord is our Righteousness

We have no righteousness of our own. We can never hope high enough for God’s holiness. But Jesus exchanged His righteousness for our sin when He died on the cross.

El Shaddai (Gen 17:1) - Lord God Almighty

El Elyon (Psalm 9:2) - God Most High

Michael Card wrote a song for his first album that he later allowed a 22 year old singer-songwriter named Amy Grant to record in 1982 entitled “El Shaddai.” Surprisingly, at the Dove Awards, it won song of the year and Michael Card won songwriter of the year. In 2001, it was voted one of the songs of the century.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El-Elyon na Adonai

Age to age You’re still the same. By the power of the name

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkahmka na Adonai

We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai

“I am,” means that God is present, cares about their trouble, and mighty to save.

God continues to tell Moses what he is to say: