Word of Salvation – Vol.03 No.34 – September 1957
The Name Of God
Sermon by Rev. J. A. Scarrow on Genesis 22:14
Texts: Gen.22:14; Ex.25:26, Ex.17:15; Jud.6:24; Jer.23:6, Ex.34:24
Scripture Reading: Genesis 22:1-14
Psalter Hymnal: 13; 100:1,2; 14; 63
Congregation beloved of the Lord,
“They that know Thy Name will put their trust in Thee.” Ps.9:10.
“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower,
The righteous run into it and are safe.” Prov.18:10
“Our help is in the Name of the Lord Who made heaven and earth.” Ps.124:8.
A little careful thought upon these passages of God’s Word will, to our hungry hearts give new and better appreciation of the grace of God, Who has called us from darkness to His marvellous light, and in His light we may explore more deeply the priceless treasures hidden away in the rich mines of His Holy Word. What wealth is revealed through a little understanding of the Names of our God.
EL-SHADDAI.
When Abraham was 99 years old, still without any children, God appeared to him with these remarkable and arresting words, “I am El-Shaddai, walk before Me and be thou perfect” (Gen.17:1). In the R.V we have “God Almighty”, which means the enough God, the all sufficient God.
The staggering command to Abraham was prefaced by a sweet, soft, fatherly reminder that in God was all-sufficiency to do in him, and for him, all that Abraham was commanded to be and to do. Paul (2Cor.3:5) rejoices in the same glorious truth. “Our sufficiency is from God.”
From this Name we learn that all God’s commands are his own enablings so that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens”, and also…
“Every virtue we possess,
And every victory won,
And every thought of holiness,
Are His alone.”
Reading on, we are next arrested by the name Jehovah-Jireh, which means, “the Lord will provide.”
It was when Abraham and his son Isaac were climbing Mt. Moriah, that young Isaac asked that terribly awkward question, which compelled Abraham to put into words the prayer of his heart: “Behold the fire and the wood,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb?” “My son”, said Abraham, “God will provide Himself a lamb”. He was thinking that God was able to raise up Isaac although he would, in obedience to God’s command, have to offer him a sacrifice on the alter. He had already failed God in yielding to the suggestion of his wife, to adopt their own method of fulfilling God’s promise; but now he came to the place in his life where God so wonderfully spared his son in providing a substitute, the ram caught in a thorn bush by his horns.
Abraham, out of gratitude, could do none other than mark the place on the mount with a monument, but what could he call it? Of course there was only one name in his poor grateful heart. “Jehovah-Jireh”, the Lord will provide.
“Yesterday He helped me,
today I’ll praise His Name,
Because I know tomorrow,
He’ll help me just the same”.
Is that the monument you, dear brother and sister, you have erected in your heart?
Now, in Ex.15:26, we come to another stopping place, as we read another strange name, “Jehovah-Rophi”
What does it mean? The verse reads, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord (Jehovah-Rophi) that healeth thee.” The camp Doctor, amongst His people Israel, was none other than the Lord, God of Heaven. No earthly physicians were needed in the camp of Israel; they were needed in the camp of the Egyptians, but in the wilderness the people were taught in their sicknesses to turn to the Lord that heals, Jehovah-Rophi.
Next we come to the Name, Jehovah-Nissi. Facing, during their trek through the wilderness, strong and warlike tribes, how hopeless would look the position of Israel! How their hearts would fail them for fear! But God watching lovingly over them must reveal Himself to them by a new Name, Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord is thy Banner. He was “the Captain of the Lord’s host.” The same Lord Who appeared to Joshua with a drawn sword in His hand; He is the One Who leads His people to battle. As a flag floated over the front rank of the army, marching to meet the enemy, just so is the Lord the Flag of His people, as they fight; therefore let us remember at all times that we have no need to fight. Oh yes, we must go forward to join the enemy, we must wield our sword, but at the same time bear in mind that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s.
In Jer.23:6, we have another Name by which the Lord was revealed to His needy people, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, meaning “the Lord our righteousness.” In this verse
mention is made of One who would come of the line of David, a righteous Branch, a King to reign and prosper, in Whose day Judah and Israel would be saved and dwell safely.
A Man with a remarkable Name the Lord our Righteousness, nor could there be given a sweeter, or more precious name among the sinful children of men. Surely this One of Whom the prophet spoke was the One Who loved his Church so much as to give Himself a ransom for it. Only when we truly know ourselves sinners, can we with humble, rejoicing hearts sing:
Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness,
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
In flaming worlds in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head”
“Jehovah-Shalom” The Lord is Peace, This revelation of God’s Name was given to Gideon when he, conscious of his sin in the presence of Holy God, and fearing that because he had seen the angel of the Lord face to face, he would immediately be struck dead, needed such a reassuring word. It is good to know that God is our righteousness in our Lord Jesus Christ, but it is necessary also to know that He is also our Peace (Jud.6:24).
Our last consideration of the Names of God is found in Ex.34:24, Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts; The Sovereign God of all armies – both the good and also the evil. By this name He revealed Himself to Israel when He made the promise that if all males of Israel would obey His command and go up three times a year to Jerusalem, and leave their flocks, their herds, their wives and their little ones, and their lands, in his care no one should even desire their land.
Whenever we think of this Name “the Lord of Hosts” let us remember to put Christ and his Church first. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added unto you.
Amen.