“WHAT DOES A NAME CONVEY?”
We were all given a name by our parents. Some are family names, names of significant people in our parent’s life, or someone admired. Our name is one of the first things we share with someone when we first meet them. When we hear our name, it causes our head to turn and eyes to search for the source to respond. My name is Renee. It means “reborn or born again” according to numerous sources on the Internet including Wikipedia. I have always embraced my name fully as a believer. John 3:3 – Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Last year I participated in a Tony Evans Bible study with video access entitled “The Power of God’s Names” (Published by Lifeway Press, 2014, The Power of God’s Names – Bible Study Book with Video Access | Lifeway) which reviewed 11 primary names for God recorded in His Word. Each one reflects His different attributes, nature, character, abilities, and power. Above all is His desire to have a relationship with us as we learn more about Him in scripture. As we study His names we come to understand at a deeper level, who He is and become more acutely aware that names matter. Psalm 8:1
Below are teaching excerpts from the Evans’ study about 11 names of God. I learned a tremendous amount over the six weeks. I hope you will as well when you read on and are encouraged to do the entire study at some point too.
Elohim: The Creator God
All powerful Creator. We’ve been created in the image of God. He is big enough for whatever is taking place in your life. Genesis 1:6-8; Hebrews 11:3
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1: 26-27, New American Standard Bible, NASB)
Jehovah-Yahweh: The Relational God
Jehovah is the name God uses when He wants to reveal Himself to you. The name He gave Himself is “I Am.” He wants to get closer to you in a relationship. God combines the names Yahweh and Elohim because you can’t get God’s power until you have God’s relationship.
When you read the word LORD (all caps) in the English translation Bibles it is referring to Jehovah. Exodus 3:13-14; Hebrews 13:8
And God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. (Exodus 3:15, NASB)
Adonai: The God Who Rules
Adonai refers to the Master or the Ruler, the One who is in charge. God wants us to fully submit to who He is. Calling on Adonai is positioning yourself under Jehovah. It is yielding to God as Master. The word Lord (capital L with lower case ‘ord’) in the English translation Bibles is referring to Adonai. Exodus 4:10-13
The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. (Psalm 97:5, NASB)
Jehovah Nissi: The LORD My Banner
Means the LORD my Banner or the flag of who we fight our battle under. If you want to deal with the visible and physical, you must address the invisible and spiritual. We need other people in our life who are willing to appeal to the LORD for you through prayer. Exodus 17:8-14
And Moses built an altar, and named it The LORD is My Banner; (Exodus 17:15, NASB)
Jehovah Tsaba: The LORD Our Warrior
A giant is anything in your life that looms so large that it controls your emotions. Name it: Goliath. If you can get and keep your eyes on God, even though you can’t miss the giant, it changes everything. I Samuel 17:26, 36, 45-47
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NASB)
Jehovah Rohi: The LORD My Shepherd
If the LORD is your Shepherd, He can meet your directional needs, your emotional needs, and your spiritual needs. If you see only what’s troubling you and not the God who is bigger than what’s troubling you, then you will be controlled by fear.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4, NASB)
Jehovah Jireh: The LORD Our Provider
Jireh means to see. Sometimes when God wants to show you His name and His ability to provide, He will put you in a situation that doesn’t make sense. God will often test our love for Him by calling for our Isaac. When God sees you choose Him, He makes the provision for you because He sees your complete commitment to Him. Genesis 22:1-2, 9-12; John 16:33
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16, NASB)
El Elyon: The Most High God
El means strong one. El Elyon is the Most High God who sits above your situation and who has the power to overrule what your situation is dictating to you. Until God gives the final word, you’ve not heard the last word! II Corinthians 4:18
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3, NASB)
El Shaddai: God Almighty
Shad means to nourish. God Almighty is able to deliver and nourish us until deliverance comes. If you dwell under the umbrella, under the shelter, under the covering of the Most High, He will keep you along the journey way because you’re under the wings of El Shaddai. Luke 1:34, 37
Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” (Genesis 17:1-2, NASB)
Immanuel: God with Us
When you understand Immanuel, you have God concentrated. The names of God are concentrated in this one name because Immanuel is God with us. In Jesus Christ, the name that is above every name, you have a person who is fully man and fully God. In Jesus you have the full manifestation of deity operating on your behalf. Matthew 1:23 (Isaiah 7:14)
Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11, NASB)
Remembering the Name Jesus
- Wear the name (heart, mind, and soul)
- Bear the name (blessings and criticism)
- Share the name (with others)
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As we spend time in God’s Word and learn more about Him the relationship grows. There are aha moments and a stirring in the heart as we read His Word when understanding grips us. It is a living Word. When we need wisdom that is where we should look. It takes daily discipline to set aside time to read and pray. It should be a standing meeting. It is an appointment with the Creator of the heavens and the Earth. One we protect on our daily calendar and schedule other things around.
May you find peace that passes all understanding even in troubled times, guidance, and a closer walk with God.
Renee Townsley, Chaplain Support Staff
Wonderful! Love this message and will be thinking about names and what they convey.