Series: Knowing God [#10]
JEHOVAH SHAMMAH- ALWAYS THERE
Genesis 28:15
Introduction:
I was reminded of something I would do to Tharon right after he went blind. On the way home from swimming practice, I would stop the car and tell Tharon to get out and find his way home. Now, many people have told me how cruel I was being; but I was determined that I wasn’t going to have a kid that was going to be helpless. I needed Tharon to realize that he could overcome things like how to find your way home. (I do want you to know that I quickly drove around the block and would follow at a distance. You can’t understand how hard it was to do that; but it was necessary.) As he got older, he went to NMJC and lived on campus. One day, as I was driving him back to his dorm, I began to explain to him that every time I did that, I was there. I was watching and ready to help him with anything that might happen. I still remember those days; and look at him now- He’s the 1st blind NCAA coach in history. He’s married to a wonderful young lady. He has medaled in many international swimming meets- Including the 2016 Rio Games and 2017 World Championships.
I have been studying the name Jehovah Shammah this week and it reminded me of telling Tharon that I would always be there. Unfortunately, I can’t keep that promise to Tharon- I am not always there for him. Praise God, this name Jehovah Shammah means, “The Lord is there”; and God is always there for His Children.
The name Jehovah Shammah 1st appears in Genesis 28:15. With Jacob’s mother’s help, Jacob stole his brother’s blessing. That may not sound like a big deal to you; but trust me, it meant everything to Esau and Jacob. In those times, the 1st born male received 2 very important things- His birthright and his blessing from his father. Esau and Jacob were twins; but Esau was the oldest. With that in mind, Jacob ended up with Esau’s birthright and blessing. Esau made it very clear that he was going to kill his brother. Rebekah found out about this and sent Jacob off to her family.
Jacob began his trip to Haran. He stopped to rest for the night. He laid his head on a rock and went to sleep. While he was sleeping he had a dream.
Genesis 28:12-15 (NIV)
“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
The name Jehovah Shammah tells us…
1. That God is always present.
God is always present regardless of where you are at. The translation of this name means, “The Lord is there”. As you are challenged by each day’s circumstances and problems; God is there. When you feel all alone; God is there. When you don’t know what’s happening; God is there.
The name Jehovah Shammah tells us…
2. That God is always watching.
Not only is God always there; but He is always watching you. God isn’t just out there hanging out; He is paying attention to everything that is happening to you. When God says that He is watching over you; it means that not only is He watching; but He is also acting on your behalf.
The name Jehovah Shammah tells us…
3. That God will bring His children back home.
I love that God tells Jacob that He will bring him back to that land. Later in Jacob’s life, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. In Genesis 35, you can read that Jacob returned to Bethel to live, just like God promised. There is another place in Scripture where this name of God is found.
Ezekiel 48:35 (NIV)
"The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. "And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE."
God hasn’t forgotten about Jerusalem. Although the Temple has been destroyed, it will be rebuilt. Ezekiel was given the dimensions. God is going to the change the name of the city to Jehovah Shammah- The Lord is there.
Conclusion:
If you know Jesus as Savior, you will 1 day go back home- Heaven. Through the blood of Jesus, we will spend eternity in Heaven with God.
