Names signify identity and often tell a story. In the sacred pages of the Bible, names echo the character and nature of their bearers.
Jehovah God has many beautiful names. Some of these names were revealed in moments of great triumph, while others were given in times of deep sorrow and need. So, let us invite God to reveal Himself as we dig deeper into just 10 of His names.
As the Bible opens its pages in Genesis 1:1, we are greeted with a powerful statement that sets the tone for everything that follows. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The word used here for God is, Elohim, meaning, God the Creator. Genesis 1:3 says, “And God said, “Let there be light. And there was light.” Elohim is commanding the universe into existence with just words!
Everything Elohim creates is designed to reflect and declare His glory and power. From the smallest insect to the grandest galaxy. The mountains rise like monuments to His strength; the sky is like a display of His divinity. He carves out the valleys and fills the oceans. And the wonder of it all is that He forms life from nothingness.
But Elohim is not just a distant creator. He is deeply involved in His creation. He knows every star by name. He sees every flower that blooms, and He holds every life in His hands. There is nothing too big or too small that escapes His attention. He knows every hair on our heads, He hears every heartbeat and He knows every thought. Every leaf, every snowflake, every sunset, is a masterpiece of His creativity.
So as we think about Elohim, let us remember that He is not a distant, impersonal force. He is a loving creator who knows us, loves us, and has a purpose for us.
There is yet another name that stands high and resounding with authority in Genesis, It is the name El Elyon, God Most High.
This is how the story of El Elyon unfolds: After the tower of Babel, the world slid into idolatry. To renew relationship with man, God chose Abram and commanded him to leave to a land that God would show him. He carries along his nephew Lot, who chooses to settle in Sodom. Unfortunately, Sodom is attacked, and Lot taken captive. Abram goes to war to rescue Lot, and he wins and brings back Lot, and all that had been taken away from Sodom.
On his way back, Abram encounters a mysterious and royal figure named Melchizedek king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. Melchizedek greets him with bread and wine. It is in this moment of blessing that Melchizedek invokes the name of El Elyon. He said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” (Genesis 14:18-20).
This name elevates God above all other gods and powers. It speaks of His supreme authority and sovereignty, asserting that there is none above Him. He holds the highest office, the ultimate authority and His dominion is above all nations, peoples and their earthly gods. He is the one who is above all things, from whom blessings flow.
When Melchizedek blessed Abram and called God El Elyon, he was saying that Abram didn't win by himself. It was God's power that made it happen.
He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide. Jehovah Jireh reminds us that God sees our needs even before we voice them, and that He is faithful to meet those needs in His perfect timing.
In Genesis 17:5, God changes the name of Abram to Abraham, meaning, the father of many nations. He later gives him the child of promise in the name of Isaac.
But in Genesis 22, in one of the most challenging moments of his life, God asks Abraham to do the unthinkable, to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, whom he had waited for and prayed for over many years. This command must have seemed impossible to obey, yet Abraham responded in faith.
As Abraham and Isaac made their way up Mount Moriah. Isaac notices something missing. He turns to his father and asks, the fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answers: “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering my son.” (Genesis, 22:7-8).
When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood. He then bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar. As Abraham raised his knife to slay his son, an angel of the Lord called out from the heaven, “Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
When Abraham lifted his eyes, he saw the ram caught in the thicket, and Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah, Jireh, the-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (Genesis, 22:14).
Just as Abraham was willing to give up his only son, God, the Father provided his Son, Jesus as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
The good news is; the one who provided His son will also provide everything else we need. As Romans 8:32 beautifully puts it, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all, how will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Sometimes His provision comes through a closed door that redirects us to something better. Other times it comes through people He sends into our lives; other times, he shows to us opportunities that arise; and in other times, He gives us strength in moments of weakness. But no matter how it comes, it is always enough.
So when you face moments of uncertainty, remember Jehovah Jireh! Remember that He is the God who provides. He sees what you're going through. He knows what you need, and He will make a way. He has already proven His faithfulness on the cross, and He will continue to be faithful in every season of your life.
So, Abraham prospered. Isaac also prospered and begot Jacob who was later named Israel. Israel had 12 sons, one of them was Joseph who became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Then there was famine in the land, and through Joseph’s influence, he brought the children of Israel into Egypt, where they stayed for over 400 years.
Several years after Joseph had died, a Pharao who never knew Joseph ruled over Egypt, and he made the children of Israel slaves; and they remained slaves until the Exodus out of Egypt.
In Exodus, God reveals Himself as I AM – Yahweh. This name, Yahweh, signifies God’s eternal presence, the one who is self existent, self sufficient and ever present. A name so sacred that for centuries, the people of Israel would not even speak it loudly.
Yahweh reminded the Israelites that their God was not like the gods of the surrounding nations. He was not an idol made of wood or stone. He was the God who saw their suffering, who heard their cries, and who remembered his covenant with Abraham Isaac and Jacob.
Here is the story: While a prince in Egypt, Moses kills an Egyptian. The news reaches Pharao, and Moses runs for his life into the desert where he stays for over 40 years herding cattle.
In the wilderness, there was a mountain named Horeb. It was here at Mt. Horeb, that a curious sight caught the attention of Moses. The bush was blazing with fire but not being consumed.
As Moses drew near to this site, the voice of God spoke from within the burning bush, calling him by name. God had heard the cries of His people in Egypt, and He was ready to deliver them.
But Moses had a question. When he would go to the Israelites, who should he say sent him? God's answer to Moses was profound and mysterious. “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).
Here is the good news children of God; Yahweh is not defined by our circumstances. When we feel lost, He says, I AM your guide. When we feel weak, He says, I AM your strength. When we feel alone, He says, I AM with you. So, when He calls us and bids us to GO (I WILL GO), it is not about our ability, but about His presence with us.
Given the sacredness of the name Yahweh, the children of Israel preferred to avoid using it, instead they preferred to use Adonai, meaning Lord and Master of all creation.
When we call God Adonai, we are acknowledging that He is our ultimate authority and the Master of the Universe.
Prophet Isaiah puts it more beautifully in Isaiah 64:8, he says, “But now, O lord Adonai, you are our Father. We are the clay and you are our Potter. We are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8).
When we submit to Adonai, we find freedom. His boundaries are there to protect us, and His laws are there to guide us into His perfect will.
In the Psalms, we see this name (Adonai) used frequently, especially in prayers of praise and supplication. For instance, David cries out in Psalms 8:1 (NIV), “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.”
I think about Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as he faced the cross! Jesus prayed, “not my will, but Yours be done!” In this moment of intense agony, Jesus, the Son of God, was submitting to the will of Adonai. So, when we submit to the will of Adonai, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus.
And so, under the leadership of Moses, the Children of Israel left Egypt. They experienced the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, where the walls of water stood as a guide to their passage while their Egyptian pursuers were swallowed by the collapsing sea depths.
The excitement of being rescued soon wears off when they start dealing with the challenge of the desert ahead. The desert was a tough place. The people became very thirsty and tired.
Three days without water, led them to Marah, a place where they finally found water, but it was bitter and undrinkable. The people complained to Moses, questioning whether God had brought them out of Egypt only to let them die of thirst.
In response, God instructs Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water, and miraculously, the waters became sweet and drinkable. It was in this moment that God revealed Himself as Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our healer, saying, “if you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you. (Exodus 15:26).”
Dear Saints, we all have areas of brokenness, whether it's physical illness, emotional wounds or spiritual struggles.
Regarding physical healing, I think of Naaman. He was a commander in the Syrian army – the then world superpower. He had leprosy. Despite his position and power, he could do nothing to heal himself. Then this young Jewish slave girl, we do not even know her name, tells him about prophet Elisha in Israel.
Elisha’s instructions were simple yet humbling. Naaman was to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. Though it seemed foolish to him at first, Naaman obeyed, and as he came up from the water the seventh time, his skin was restored and became like that of a young boy. And he said in 2 Kings 5:15, “now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.”
In the New Testament, we see Jesus healing the sick. He healed barren women, restored sight to the blind and cleansed lepers. He even raised the dead from the grave.
Regarding emotional healing, David, the psalmist says in Psalms 147:3, “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” There are wounds that no doctor can heal; scars that no medicine can act upon. But Jehovah Rapha is able to restore.
Regarding spiritual healing, we know that sin is the deepest sickness of the human soul. Why? Because it separates us from God. But the bible confirms to me in Isaiah 53:5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the weight of our sins and the pain of our brokenness so that we could be restored to a right relationship with God through His sacrifice.
Yes, sometimes, when we pray for healing and don't see immediate results, we get discouraged. I am here to tell you that God's healing often comes in ways we don't expect. Sometimes He uses doctors and medicine. Other times, He works through prayer and faith. But other times children of God, other times the healing He brings is not the removal of the problem, but the strength to endure it.
Paul experienced this when he prayed three times for God to remove a thorn in his flesh. But God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2Corinthians 12:9).
After the Marah experience, the Children of Israel continued with their journey in the wilderness. They finally camped at Rephidim, a barren location in the Sinai Desert. It was at Rephidim that the Children of Israel were attacked by the Amalekites, a fierce and ruthless enemy.
They had no training for battle, neither did they have sophisticated weaponry, but Moses knew where their true strength lay. He sent Joshua to lead the people into battle while he stood on a hill holding the staff of God high in his hands.
As long as Moses hands were raised, the Israelites prevailed, but when he lowered them, the Amalekites gained ground. Realizing the importance of his position, Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses, supporting his hands until sunset. With Moses' hands lifted high, the Israelites defeated the Amalekites.
After the victory, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my banner, (Exodus, 17:15-16). He said, “Because hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”
The name Jehovah Nissi, therefore, is like a flag of faith. It is a reminder that when we face tough challenges-whatever they are-, it is God who helps us to win.
Jesus, our Savior, is the fulfillment of Jehovah Nissi on the cross. At the cross, He bore the full weight of sin and death. When we Lift high the name of Jesus, we are declaring that the battle has already been won. So let us lift Him high.
And so, the children of Israel journeyed through the Wilderness, and after about 40 years ,they entered into the promised land of Canaan.
In the promised land, the Lord appointed Judges as the leaders of his people. Some of the prominent names include Deborah, a mother in Israel, Gideon, Samson, Eli and the last Judge was Samwel, who also became the first prophet.
As long as the judge lived, the people followed the Lord and prospered; but when the judge died, the people sunk into idolatry. The consequences were endless wars, hunger, slavery, hardship, and lack of peace.
But the Lord is Jehovah Shalom, meaning, the Lord is peace. This name first appears in the book of Judges during a time of great fear and turmoil for the people of Israel. In Judges Chapter 6, the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and so, for seven years, the Lord gave them into the hands of the Midianites.
The power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites suffered greatly in their hands to the point of running for shelter in mountain clefts and caves to hide from the Midianites.
Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites and Amalekites would invade the country and ruin the crops and everything; they did not spare a living thing for Israel; neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys.
There was no peace in the land for 7 straight years. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
In Judges 6:24, during the period when Israel was being bullied by the Midianites, a man named Gideon was chosen by God to be a judge over Israel.
While Gideon was secretly beating out wheat in a spot where he hoped the Midianites wouldn't find Him. God's messenger came to him and called him a brave fighter, telling him that God was by his side.
Gideon was not sure, so he asked for a sign to confirm that it was indeed the Lord speaking with him. After presenting an offering to the Lord, Gideon witnessed a miraculous sign; the angel touched the offering with the tip of his staff, and a fire rose from the rock and consumed the meat and bread. Then the angel of the Lord disappeared.
Overwhelmed by the reality that he had just seen the angel of the Lord face to face, Gideon feared for his life because it was believed that no one could see God and live, but the Lord said to him, “peace, do not be afraid! You are not going to die”. It was after this encounter that Gideon built an altar to the Lord and called it Jehovah Shalom, saying the Lord is peace (Judges 6:23-24). The story concludes with Gideon rescuing Israel with just 300 men. Finally, peace was restored to Israel.
Apostle Paul later echoes this in the New Testament when he writes to the Philippians, “and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ, Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7). Amen!
And so, Gideon became a judge over Israel and there was peace in the land.
Later on, Samuel would be the last judge over Israel, and the first Prophet. During his time, the people demanded for a King to rule over them. Some of the Kings, like David, did what was good in the eyes of the Lord, and the people prospered. Unfortunately, many of them did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord. Their actions led Israel and Judah to slide back into idolatry, sin and rebellion against the Lord.
But I thank God because our God is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. This name first appears in the book of prophet Jeremiah during a time when the nation of Judah was steeped in sin and rebellion. The people had turned away from God, and corruption ran rampant among the leaders. It was a period of spiritual decay.
But despite the decay, God gave a promise through the prophet Jeremiah 23:5-6 saying, “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Amen!
This promise pointed to none other than Jesus Christ, the Messiah! Jesus, the righteous branch, took our sin upon Himself and in exchange, clothed us in His righteousness. This means that when God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin. He sees the righteousness of His son. What an incredible exchange!
Through Jehovah Tsidkenu, we become not just recipients of His righteousness, but vessels through which His righteousness is displayed to the world.
Unfortunately, despite the sweet interventions, the children of Judah continued doing what was evil in the eyes of the Lord; and the Lord allowed the Babylonians to come and carry them into exile.
While in exile, the Babylonian captors demand musical entertainment - the songs of Zion. But the captives, who could only cry, hang up their musical instruments and refused to make music. Their plea, recorded in Psalms 137:3-4, I love it in New Living Translation Bible. It says, “For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” 4 But how can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a pagan land?”
Saints, we too have been exiled by sin. But I thank God because despite the pain that sin has brought, He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there.
The name Jehovah Shammah was first spoken in a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel; a prophet is exile. During this time, the people of Judah in exile, separated from their homeland and the temple; the place where they believed God's presence dwelled. They felt abandoned, lost and without hope.
But in the midst of their despair, God gave Ezekiel the vision of a new city and a new temple. This new place would be marked by the presence of God, and the name of the city would be Jehovah, Shammah, the Lord is there, Ezekiel, 48:35.
For the Israelites in exile, Jehovah Shammah was a source of hope, reminding them that God had not abandoned them. Even in a foreign land, He was still there.
And for us today, this name speaks to the truth that God is present in our lives, no matter where we find ourselves, whether we are in a place of joy and success or in a season of pain and confusion, Jehovah Shama is with us.
This name also speaks to the hope of what is to come. One day we will see Jehovah Shammah in all His fullness. Revelation 21:3, gives us a glimpse of this promise, “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God – Himself - will be with them - and be - their God.” Amen!
Saints, in conclusion, we have looked at these ten names of God! Let us therefore go and share this Goodnews with someone who needs to hear it. There are so many people searching for peace, for healing, for hope and for meaning. Let them know that the answer to every question and the solution to every struggle is found in the one who is called by so many beautiful names!
As the Choristers join me, I want to make a call. As we sing song number 313, Just as I am, If you have any prayer in your heart, be it prayer of thanksgiving and victory, or prayer regarding a struggle in your life, I want to pray with you today. So as the song is sung, just make your way to the pulpit and I will pray with you. Choristers.....
Sermon by Elder Timothy Ogada on 10th May 2025 at Mt. Olives SDA Church, Possibilities Ministry Sabbath.
