Sunday: Yahweh and the Abrahamic Covenant
“And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it” (Gen: 15:7).
Names can sometimes be like trademarks. They become so closely associated in our minds with certain characteristics that when we hear the name we immediately recall these traits. What traits come to mind, for instance, when you think of these names: Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, or Dorcas? Each one is associated with certain characteristics and ideals.
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During Bible times, people of the Near East attached great importance to the meaning of names. “The Hebrews always thought of a name as indicating either the personal characteristics of the one named, or the thoughts and emotions of the one giving the name, or attendant circumstances at the time the name was given.” — The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 523.
When God first entered into a covenant relationship with Abram, He made Himself known to the patriarch under the name YHWH (pronounced Yahweh, and translated as LORD, in capitals in the King James Version [Gen: 15:7]). Thus, Genesis 15:7 reads literally, “I am YHWH who brought thee out of … .”
The name YHWH, though appearing 6,828 times in the Old Testament, is somewhat shrouded in mystery. It seems to be a form of the verb hayah, ‘to be,’ in which case it would mean, “the Eternal One,” “the Existent One,” “the Self-Existing One,” “the Self-Sufficient One,” or “the One who lives eternally.” The divine attributes that seem to be emphasized by this title are those of self-existence and faithfulness. They point to the Lord as the living God, the Source of life, in contrast with the gods of the heathen, which had no existence apart from the imagination of their worshipers.
God Himself explains the meaning of Yahweh in Exodus 3:14 — “I AM WHO I AM”(RSV, NASB). This meaning expresses the reality of God’s unconditioned existence, while it also suggests His rule over past, present, and future.
Yahweh is also God’s personal name. The identification of Yahweh as the One who brought Abram out of Ur refers to the announcement of God’s covenant with him in Genesis 12:1-3. God wants Abram to know His name, because that name reveals aspects of His identity, personal nature, and character — and from this knowledge we can learn to trust in His promises (Ps: 9:10, Ps: 91:14).
| When you think or hear the name Yahweh, what traits or characteristics automatically come to mind? Those of love, kindness, and care or those of fear, strictness, and discipline? What thoughts automatically come to mind when you think of the name Jesus? |
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A little bit of history: Terah took his son Abram (Abraham) and several other relatives from Ur to Haran. Ur is often described as Ur of the Chaldees in English translations but in fact, we rely on tradition (and the work of Sir Leonard Woolley) a fair bit for that association. It is probably fair to say that Ur (which means land) was somewhere in southern Iraq. They travelled to Haran (modern day Harran) in Eastern Turkey. It was here that Abram received the call from God:
Abram was 75 years old when he received this call. They went on to Canaan where God told Abram that this was the place. But Abram decided that since there was a bit of a drought on in Canaan, he would move on to Egypt. That got him into a fair bit of trouble as we all know.
That problem with Abram was that he wanted to do everything for himself and it took him a little while to work out that God had his own plans for him.
rather than all the conversation about the "name" of The LORD i think it might be worthwhile to focus and meditate on the Scripture in verse 3 of Genesis 12:1-3...specifically "..and in you ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH shall be blessed."....to me this verse is significant, just like the study of Noah and the "covenant of the rainbow" which signifies that The LORD IS GOD TO ALL.
What is in a name? Why do so many people use Jesus Christ as a swear word? Or even the phrase OMG! It really hurts my heart to hear it, it shows they have no respect for the LORD of the universe.
However when the LORD told Abram to leave his country and go to the Promised Land Abram obeyed without question. To me this showed a preexisting relationship of trust. Where did this come from? Abram was 10 generations from Noah through his son Shem, clearly the knowledge of the LORD had been passed on through this God worshipping family. Not only that but obviously Abram had a personal relationship with the LORD. Wherever he stopped on his travels he built an altar to the LORD and had family worship.
excellent question, where did Abram's Faith/Trust in The LORD originate??...i think that trust in THE LORD is taught and is not a "natural" trait of mankind. So, I think Abram was taught to "trust" The LORD and not to "fear". I object to the word "fear" being used in Theology. "fear" is not a characteristic of The LORD. "fear" is a characteristic taught by satan. satan is the originator of fear,doubt and guilt.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Exod 20:7
Yahweh and the Abrahamic Covenant
The power of names- certain humans when you hear their names meant either they did something good according to human standards. e.g was a human deliverer for slavery, had power to help the sick and suffering, provided homes and shelter to the suffering, were inventors etc. But in all of those, they cant save neither provide something out of nothing. Those are humans and have limitations.
There is power in the name of Jesus. Power in his very name. By humans reaching out in faith and believing in the Great Lord and Savior like anyone in the bible we can have the same as they had; healing from sickness, provider, protection, satisfaction in our minds etc.
Testimony- Many times when I am hurting- whether physical, mental, psychological, spiritual and I pray or even call on the name of Jesus I get relieve from whatever the situation. Last night I was reaching over in the vehicle to get something, I suddenly got muscle cramps in the thigh. I began to call on the blood of Jesus for help, within or approx 2-3 mins, the pain was gone. I say those words daily and they never fails me.
There is a song the say- I need thee every hour....Temptations loose their power when thou are near. Temptation truly loose their powers when we call on the name of Jesus because the name Jesus goes beyond any human understanding. He desires for his names to be a part of our daily lives. Humans need to reach out in faith.
temptation is defeated by trust.
When i think or hear the name Yahweh, what automatically come to mind is:We should start addressing our creator by his rightful name.
Exodus 13:15 NOG" Again Elohim said to Moses, “This is what you must say to the people of Israel: Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever. This is my title throughout every generation".
I have never heard the name YAHWEH ELOHIM before apart from referencing our creator with it. But I have heard such titles as "Lord," in our court system. Isaiah 42:8 says I am Yahweh that's my name and I don’t share my glory with anyone else.
Just something to think about.
I am not concerned about the "name" of God. I am very concerned about my relationship with God. I am very concerned about whether I know God.
My understanding is that the name Yahweh is not used in the New Testament. It seems the name of Jesus takes priority from that point forward.
I really appreciate this lesson’s narrative; precise, to the point. Looking at the changes to God’s name throughout man’s developing relationship with Him, reflecting spiritual, religious and cultural growth, one would think it to be appropriate to name Him now ‘Savior’, ‘Christ Jesus’, or ‘Father’.
Personally, I refer to Him as my ‘Father’ and to Jesus as my ‘Savior’. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He referred to our God as His ‘Father in heaven’. He introduced Him to us and continuously deferres to Him as the One from whom our blessings come, our 'Father'; He also said that He and His Father are one in spirit.
If there has ever been a name which describes by itself all that which it implies, it is Father, and the adjective added to clarify it is – ‘heavenly' Father!
Our God, the God of Adam and Eve, Noah and Abraham, Jacob, David, Kings and the Prophets, was first and foremost our ‘Father’. Our sacred Scriptures tell us the name He gave Himself, describing the God who cannot be described: ‘YHWH’ and ‘I AM WHO I AM’. Awe inspiring and impressive as they are, humans are more impressed by a ‘Father’ they can relate to and trust to guide them through life. And therefore, His Son, our Savior Christ Jesus, spoke about Him as His and our Father; a Father who has many children of which He was the 'first-born'.
The name ‘Father’ contains all the “aspects of His identity, personal nature, and character – and from this knowledge we can learn to trust in His promises, ” states the lesson writer. He came to live on the human level of existence. What more does mankind need to realize that He knows us and can identify with the affairs of man?
All who heed His call are His children - brothers and sisters -, living in His kingdom, forsaking the old ways to follow the Father's Way of Light and Life.
To be His child means everything to me – He truly is my Life, by existence.
If the Lord's name itself denotes so much meaning, how much more awe-inspiring is the fact that the psalmist (psalms 138:2) states that God has magnified His word above His name.
its as if God is saying: If you think My name is awesome, wait until you see what I have to reveal to you through My word.