God Of The Amen

“Thus says the Lord GOD:

‘Behold, my servants shall eat,

you shall be hungry;

behold, my servants shall drink,

but you shall be thirsty;

behold, my servants shall rejoice,

but you shall be put to shame;

behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart,

but you shall cry out for pain of heart

and shall wail for breaking of spirit.

You shall leave your name to my chosen for a curse,

and the Lord GOD will put you to death,

but his servants he will call by another name,

so that he who blesses himself in the land

shall bless himself by the God of truth,

and he who takes an oath in the land

shall swear by the God of truth;

because the former troubles are forgotten

and are hidden from my eyes.’” [1]

Throughout the pages of the Word God has given us, we witness the Living God identified by multiple names. He is called “the God of heaven” and “the God of earth” [e.g. GENESIS 24:3], because that is what He is. Of course, He is known as “the God of Israel” [see EXODUS 24:10], and indeed, He is Israel’s God. These names speak of the scope of God’s reign or influence. The LORD is Israel’s God, and He reigns in Heaven as He reigns over all the earth. While the scope of God’s reign is recognised, the impact on mankind is not always recognised. However, all mankind must give an account to God. We read that when Korah led a rebellion against God’s appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron fell on their faces pleading with God, confessing Him to be “the God of the spirits of all flesh” [see EXODUS 16:22]. That is, as you will acknowledge, an appropriate designation for the Lord God, for we must all give an account to Him for the lives we have had.

Elsewhere, the LORD is identified as “God of knowledge” [see 1 SAMUEL 2:3] and also as “God of hosts” [e.g. 1 KINGS 19:10, 14], referring to His divine reign over the angels of Heaven. I also find the LORD identified by one name that is especially meaningful to the people of God, and that is “God of our salvation” [see 1 CHRONICLES 16:35]. He is known by the yet more personal term, “God of my salvation” [see MICAH 7:7]. Then, we find that our God is a “God of Justice” [see ISAIAH 30:18]. that brings us to the text chosen for this message, where we witness the Living God spoken of as the “God of truth.”

“God of truth,” in the Hebrew text, the phrase appearing twice near the end of our text, is literally, “God of [the] Amen,” ['elohê 'amen]. I find this an arresting piece of knowledge. You are undoubtedly familiar with the word, “Amen” and its use. “Amen” is that word we utter without giving much thought to what we are saying. Unconsciously, whenever a member of the church concludes offering up a prayer, we anticipate the closing word, “Amen.” You will hear multiple voices saying, “Amen.” What you are hearing is an affirmation of agreement with what has been asked in the prayer. We could well be saying, “Truth!” For that is the thrust of our agreement at that point. When one speaking during a church service makes a good point concerning what is written or concerning how a Scripture may be applied, you will hear others voicing agreement by saying “Amen.” Speaking thusly, people are voicing agreement. It is as though they were saying “Truth! I agree!”

When the Lord God is identified as “God of ‘Amen,’” it is as though Isaiah is stating that God represents truth. When God speaks, His words are true. When God acts, His acts are true. God represents truth; His character is truth. The Apostle of Love recognises this, writing, “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” [1 JOHN 5:20]. If we want to know truth, look to Jesus Christ. Outside of Christ is chaos and confusion. All one need do to verify this is consider the world about us, viewing especially the confusion revealed in the attitudes and actions of this dying world.

STANDING ATHWART CONTEMPORARY IDEOLOGY — The world in which we live is marked by lies and opposition to righteousness. Speaking to followers of the Risen Lord of Glory, the Apostle to the Jews cautions us, “Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” [1 PETER 1:13-16].