THE MAJESTY OF GOD Lesson Five of Nine THE NATURE OF GOD AS REVEALED IN HIS NAMES
(This lesson should be presented over several sessions) INTRODUCTION:
There was a time when a man's name told you much about him.
At one time, surnames indicated occupations.
John Smith - usually a worker of metal.
John Baker - a baker of bread.
George Miller - a grinder of grain.
John Gardener - a man who took care of a garden.
Bill Tanner - a tanner of animal skins.
Surnames indicated positions.
John Earl - a mighty warrior.
George Duke - a ruler under a prince.
Surnames indicate residence.
John Britton.
George London.
Jack Ford - lived where one could ford the river.
Names in the Bible carried significant meanings.
Adam - "Red Earth."
Abraham - "Father of a Multitude."
Jesus - "Savior."
David - "Well Beloved."
Isaac - "Laughter."
In the Bible, especially the O.T., God revealed Himself by several special names.
These names give us a deeper insight into the nature of God and His
relation to creation.
It was made clear that, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy
God in vain..." (Exodus 20:7).
The knowledge of God's names cannot be over-emphasized.
Psalm 9:10 - "They that know thy name will put their trust in Thee."
ONE name cannot describe God's greatness, just like one name cannot
describe you.
In this lesson, let's look at the names of God in the Bible and let His
nature be revealed through these names.
(GENERAL OR BASIC NAMES:)
ELOHIM - (THE ALL-POWERFUL, CREATIVE ONE).
The name conveys the idea of strength, creative and governing power by the Almighty
who keeps His promises.
It occurs:
Genesis chapter 1 - 30 times.
Genesis chapter 2 - 50 times.
O.T. - 2570 times.
It is a Hebrew, masculine ending noun, plural in form.
Notice the plurality:
Genesis 1:26 - "Elohim said, Let US make man..."
Genesis 11:7 - "Come, let US go down..."
Deut. 6:4 - One God == thus a plurality in the Godhead
EL - (THE STRONG ONE).
This is a generic term which expresses authority, strength, and majesty.
The most common name used for Deity.
Used predominantly in Job and Psalms.
This name is often used with nouns or adjectives to form compound names.
It is also important to see EL as it is used in the name of strong Bible characters.
Elisha
Elijah
Joel
Elizabeth
ELAH, ELOAH - (THE ADORABLE ONE).
Occurs 43 times in Ezra.
46 times in Daniel.
1 time in Jeremiah.
This name stresses His Deity.
The Adorable One or The Worshipped One.
EL - ELYON - (THE MOST HIGH).
Psalm 57:2 - "I will cry unto God Most High, unto God that performeth all things for me.
Isaiah 6:1-6.
EL - ROI - (GOD WHO SEES).
Gen. 16:1-16 - Haggar.
God sees our afflictions.
Remember: God sees everything we do.
Hab. 1:13 - "Thou that art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on
perverseness..."
Psalm 139:1-12.
EL - SHADDAI - (ALMIGHTY).
Gen. 17:1,8,15,22.
Gen. 18:9-14.
This name was mostly used by the Patriarchs.
Thought to convey: "One who is able to supply, nourish, and satisfy."
No matter what the need is, God can supply.
ADONI - (MASTER OR LORD).
Psalm 110:1 - "Jehovah saith unto my Lord (ADONI), sit thou at my right hand, until
I make thine enemies thy footstool."
This prophecy is ascribed to Christ - Acts 2:34-35.
God (Christ) is our owner, Master, Lord.
Acts 2:36.
ROCK - (THE STEADFAST ONE).
Ps. 94:22 - "But Jehovah hath been my high tower, and my God the Rock of my refuge."
Stronghold.
Ps. 61:1-2 - "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will
I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."
It was upon Christ the Rock that the church was built.
Matt. 16:13-18.
JEHOVAH - (SPECIAL OR COVENANT NAME - "TO BE" OR "BEING")
Exodus 3:13-15.
Jesus claimed to be "The Great I Am".
John 8:24.
John 8:49-59 - (58).
(COMPOUND NAMES FOR GOD)
JEHOVAH - JIREH - (JEHOVAH WILL PROVIDE).
Gen. 22:14 - "And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah - Jireh: as it is said to
this day, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided."
Christ provides today.
Phil. 4:19 - "And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory
in Christ Jesus."
JEHOVAH - TSIDKENU - (JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS).
The word deals with acquittal, justification, and righteousness.
Jere. 33:16 - "In those days shall Judah be saved and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this
is the name whereby she shall be called; Jehovah Our Righteousness."
Christ is Our Righteousness.
II Cor. 5:21 - "Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the
righteousness of God in him."
JEHOVAH - SHALOM - (JEHOVAH IS OUR PEACE).
Judges 6:24 - (saw angel, thought he would die). "Then Gideon built an alter there
unto Jehovah, and called it Jehovah-Shalom..."
Jesus is our peace.
Isa. 9:6.
Eph. 2:14.
JEHOVAH - ROHI - (JEHOVAH IS MY SHEPHERD).
Psalm 23:1.
Jesus is our shepherd.
John 10:14-15.
JEHOVAH - SHAMMAH - (JEHOVAH IS THERE).
Ezk. 48:35 - "...and the name of the city from that day shall be, Jehovah i there..."