There is a Book of Remembrance in God’s library:
“Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another; and the Lord listened, and he heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine…. said the Lord.” Malachi 3:16-17
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
Once God says, “You’re Mine!” no one can pluck you out of his hand. He may plop you up on the potter’s wheel and spin you around until you’re dizzy, but he’s just creating the most beautiful vessel, so listen and let him mold you into his image. You are his creation.
FAMILY OF GOD
God gives us a human family as a reflection, or template, of his love for us. Family is where we belong. The head of the family comforts, heals, loves, nurtures, teaches, mentors, provides, encourages, feeds, corrects, and protects his own. His children are never alone.
Father
Jesus said “Pray like this. Our Father, who is in heaven….”
Husband
“Your maker is your husband; the Lord of Hosts is his name; and your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54:5
Mother
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:16-17. The image of a comforter is most often reflected in that of a mother.
Sister “Say to wisdom, You are my sister.” Proverbs 7:4
Brother
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you haven’t received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14-15. “And if [we are God’s] children, then [we are] heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” Romans 8:17. “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.” 1 John 5:20
NAMES OF GOD
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10
Just as God created the family to reflect his image, he also reveals who he is, in greater detail, through his names.
YHVH – I AM
Isaiah 42:8 – “I am YHVH. That is my name. And my glory I will not give to another, neither my praise to carved images.” Note: Hebrew words didn’t have vowels, ‘J’ or ‘W’. Therefore, YaHVeH would be YHVH in Hebrew.
ELOHIM ADONAI
How do I wrap my head around an eternal, self-existing God who in 6 days created, defined, and connected earth, wind, fire, water and life to sustain itself throughout the ages, guiding each generation according to his plan from the beginning to the end of his word? Then every day after, reaches out to each heart, drawing and shepherding those who would simply come sit at his feet and drink from his life-sustaining presence? Mentoring, healing, protecting, encouraging, and just listening to our story as if it was the only important thing he had to do?
ELOHIM – Self-Existing Triune God
The Triune God, represents three arms of himself: The name Elohim includes all three branches, or arms, under which we’re tucked and covered in times of trouble. Each arm of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) carries specific attributes to that name. For instance, there is one Father, there is one Son, and there is one Holy Spirit. However, as in all families, attributes may apply to more than one family member, depending on the situation.
1. El Olam – Everlasting God
He is God, he has always been God and he always will be God. Eternal. He has no beginning or end. The Israelites held his name in such reverence that they would only refer to him as YAH; they would never speak his whole name, YAHVEH. God asked Moses to tell the Egyptian Pharaoh to let his people go. Moses asked what he should say when his people asked for his name, and God said just tell them “I AM THAT I AM”. Exodus 3:14. YHVH is the great everlasting I AM.
God is self-existent. He is our rewarder, our provider, our rabbi, our shepherd; he restores our soul. As to his authority, he is in charge of the past, the present and the future. He is full of love and grace and mercy, but when we disobey his
orders, he is also our commander, our King, our judge and executioner. He is the Alef and the Tav, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, the Creator and Sustainer, the Author and the Finisher.
El Olam, our Everlasting God, will be with his people throughout eternity. Always depend on him. He will never leave his loved ones.
2. Yashua Ha Mashiach, Jesus our Messiah
He is the Son of God. “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Christ.” John 14:6. “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” Therefore, he embodies God’s attributes. “He is the head of the church, which is his body. By Christ, God made peace with everything through his death on the cross in his own human body. This includes you, who were once so far away from God, yet by accepting him as your Lord and Savior, he has brought you into the very presence of God and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault”. From Colossians 1.” Jesus is the door to everlasting life.” John 10:9. “Jesus is our healer.” Isaiah 53:5. “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.” Romans 3:22. “Jesus is the Word.” Revelation 19:13 tells us that Jesus’ name is called The Word of God. “Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us….” John 1:1,14
3. YHVH Ruach, our Comforter. The Holy Spirit is powerful. In Genesis 1:2, we find the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The original Hebrew says the Holy Spirit shattered the face of the waters, demonstrating his incredible power. We find, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. I believe the Holy Spirit is most effective and best represents the presence of God when we actually take time to be present with God daily. The Holy Spirit prompts us when we’re close to danger or to avoid problems, and showers us with warm fuzzies when we worship God with praise, honor and glory, or when he just wants to say, “I love you.” Praying in the Holy Spirit is very helpful when you intentionally seek God’s will, but don’t exactly know what to say. The Holy Spirit intercedes between you and God, and your prayers are powerfully translated from your heart to God’s.
“I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.” Job 32:7-9
ADONAI – Husband, Master
“I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” Psalm 16:2″
“We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.” Psalm 123:2
“Just like a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry God; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5
“When that day comes,” says the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’” Hosea 2:16
MORE NAMES OF GOD
Each of God’s divine names is given to us to reveal some quality or characteristic of God that cannot be found to the same extent in any other creature. These holy names, therefore, set God apart and elevate Him infinitely higher than all other beings, whether in Heaven or on earth. Every human need is covered by one of the names of God.
EL ELYON – Most High God
El Elyon is one of the truly exquisite names for God found in Genesis 14:18, 20, 22 and is translated as “the Most High God” or “The Strongest Strong One”. The Bible interprets this to mean that El Elyon is the “Possessor of Heaven and Earth”. El Elyon knows no bounds. The authority of the Most High God transcends boundaries between nations – between heaven and earth – between spirit beings and physical beings – between angels and demons – and between humans and animals. His authority and dominion span time and distance alike. There is nothing and no one within an infinite universe that does not fall within His domain and jurisdiction. He is El Elyon, The Most High God – The Strongest Strong One – the Possessor of Heaven and Earth.
EL SHADDAI – Almighty God, All Sufficient God
Some interpret shaddai as “sufficient,” and God is absolutely the “All-sufficient One.” Either Almighty or All Sufficient works for me, because The Almighty is the God who is enough! He is more than sufficient to meet any need. He is power and provision. In great compassion, he sustains, nourishes and protects me. He takes my weakness and gives me strength. He takes my inadequate resources and, through his sufficiency, uses them for his great and powerful purposes.
Genesis 17:1 – “And when Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be perfect.” When we understand and embrace the image of God, and walk in that image before God every day, he anoints our head with oil until our cup runs over. Psalm 23:5
EL GIBBOR – Mighty God
As Jeremiah testified, “No one is like You, O Lord. You are great, and Your Name is Mighty in power.” Jeremiah 10:6. When trouble and challenges pop up, we need to turn our eyes away from our difficulty and focus steadfastly on God’s great name, El Gibbor. If you need to prevail in your project or when praying for salvation for those in your family, you need the power and might of El Gibbor, our mighty God. Even David, a man after God’s own heart, counted on his 30 mighty men to protect him in battle. Our battles may or may not be physical, but we can always trust in our mighty God to have our backs. “Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.” Isaiah 58:6-8.
YHVH SABAOTH – Lord of Warrior Hosts
YHVH Sabaoth most often refers to the Lord of Warrior Hosts. I love that God revealed the reality of spiritual forces and his entitlement as Lord of Warrior Hosts in 2 Kings: 6:15-17. The Aramean king wanted to capture Elisha, and the next morning Elisha’s servant saw the king’s many chariots, horses and troops surrounding the city. The servant asked Elisha what to do, and Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. There are more on our side than on theirs”. Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened his servant’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw the hillside around Elisha was filled with warriors, horses and chariots of fire. Then Elisha asked God to make the Aramean army blind, which God did, and Elisha went out and told them they had come to the wrong city, but he would lead them the right way, and then he led them to Samaria.
What an amazing revelation! God wanted to open our eyes to his invisible army. God is in control and we can always call on YHVH Sabaoth when we’re up against spiritual attacks. The name YHVH Sabaoth is not found in the Pentateuch, or in Joshua or Judges, and rarely in the Psalms, but Jeremiah uses this name about 80 times, Haggai 14 times, Zechariah about 50 times and Malachi 25 times. Just due to the nature of these prophets’ warnings to God’s people, we know we can safely stand on God’s word to fight for us in all battles, spiritual and otherwise. We have the power through prayer to call upon YHVH Sabaoth to equip, empower and send his warrior hosts to the front lines of our battle and bring home a victory.
YHVH NISSI – Lord Our Banner Exodus 17 :8-15
“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The Lord is my Banner.’” Exodus 17:15
Amalek and his armies came up against Israel, so Moses told Joshua to go fight Amalek and his people. Moses went to the top of the hill and raised his staff to God in praise. When Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed and when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed. Moses became very tired, so Aaron and Hur got a stone for Moses to sit on, and Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands the rest of the day. Joshua vanquished Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword, and the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book…” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it YHVH Nissi; for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” Exodus 17:8-16.
God used Moses to win this war. We know God is totally able to strike and kill whole armies by himself (2 Kings 19:35), but Moses was told to raise his hands while God conquered the enemy through Joshua’s faithfulness. God loves teamwork!
All God’s people are fighting some kind of a battle. Maybe the catalyst for God’s involvement is our support and encouragement while God fights their battle? Maybe we need to praise God for healing, protection and victory every day. In Ephesians 6, we’re told to put on the whole armor of God so we can stand in that evil day, and to take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and pray. We all need YHVH Nissi.
YHVH M’Kaddesh – The Lord is Holy
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Psalm 145:17.
For people, Holy means “set apart”, as in set aside for a particular purpose, and implies being “special” and acting accordingly. In particular it means set aside for God’s purpose. Righteous means made right or justified, being pure and honest. (“There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1). The following verses are God’s description of who are his holy people.
“Tell the people of Israel: Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:13
“If you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you will be a peculiar treasure to me above all people; for all the earth is mine. And you will be my kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:5-6
“You shall be holy to me, for I, the Lord, am holy and have separated you from other people, that you should be mine.” Leviticus 20:26
YHVH RAPHA / ROPHE – Lord our Healer
There are many verses with the healing attribute of God’s name, YHVH Rapha, or YHVH Rophe, but my favorite comes from Exodus 15:26. “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am YHVH Raphe, the Lord that heals you.” Sometimes a period of clarifying and chastisement is required, as in Numbers 12:13 when Moses cried out to God about Miriam, his sister: “Heal her now, O God, I beseech you!” God did, but sometimes discipline is involved.
The New Testament refers to Jesus quoting a proverb, “Physician, heal yourself” in Luke 4:23. Then Romans 4:17 instructs us to call those things that are not, as if they were (so they will be). Clearly God has the power to protect us from diseases. But throughout the Bible God also dropped nuggets of knowledge for our edification and healing when we reflect his image, as in Isaiah 55:11; “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the Lord. Just like the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Just like the rain comes down, and the snow falls from heaven, it does not return there, but it goes forth and waters the earth and causes it to bud and bloom and bring seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to.” Since we were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26), our words will also go forth and not return to us void, but they shall accomplish that which we please, and prosper in the thing we send it to. Sometimes, as in the case of Moses and Miriam, there may be requirements.
“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.” Isaiah 53:5
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.” Isaiah 58:6-8 NLT
YHVH JIREH – Lord our Provider
Genesis 22 tells the story of Abraham taking Isaac to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him, his only son. But when God looked upon the heart and obedience of Abraham when asked to do the unimaginable, YHVH JIREH, provided the sacrifice instead. Abraham passed the heart of God test and God provided. God is not limited to providing depending upon our hearts, but when someone with the heart of God needs a provider, YHVH JIREH steps up and provides.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me,” said the Lord of Hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10
YHVH TSIDKENU – Lord our Righteousness
The name, YHVH Tsidkenu, occurs only twice in the Bible—both times in the book of Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 23:5, 6
“Behold, the days come, said the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, YHVH Tsidkenu, The Lord Our Righteousness.”
Jeremiah 33:15, 16“In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she [Jerusalem] shall be called, YHVH Tsidkenu, The Lord our Righteousness.”When Jeremiah wrote his book, God’s people were in exile in Babylon. Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed. God raised up prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others) who called God’s people to repent of their sins and turn back to Him. If they did so, God promised to forgive them. In that day, Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt, and they would live in their land in peace and safety. These two passages—Jeremiah 23:5, 6 and 33:15, 16—are part of those promises. The kingdom would be restored, and a righteous King of the lineage of David would rule once more. He would be called YHVH Tsidkenu—The Lord Our Righteousness.
YHVH SHALOM – Lord our Peace
Definition of Shalom in Hebrew – The root word of Shalom is “shalam”. One of the first uses of the word shalam in the Torah is in Exodus 21 and 22. In these 2 chapters, it’s used 14 times. Moses was giving instructions to his people about what to do when someone causes material loss or in the case of theft of property. When that loss or injury occurs, the owner is considered lacking or not complete. The one responsible was to make things right. In the translation of Exodus 21-22, shalam is translated as “make it good”, “shall surely pay”, “make full restitution” or to “restore”. The ancient Hebrew meaning of shalam was “to make something whole”. Not just regarding practical restoration of things that were lost or stolen, but with an overall sense of fullness and completeness in mind, body and estate. True biblical shalom reflects an inward sense of completeness, wholeness and tranquility.
YHVH Rohi – The Lord Our Shepherd
Almost all of God’s attributes are embodied in the intimate relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. He feeds and protects, loves, nurtures, provides, rescues, comforts, and heals his sheep with gentle hands and a loving heart.
“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 takes me by the hand and leads me on the path of righteousness for his very own name’s sake! When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I’m not afraid because God is with me. His rod and his staff comfort me. He sets a table for me in the presence of my enemies. He anoints my head with oil.” From Psalm 23.
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
The shepherd establishes a degree of intimacy with his sheep that’s touching to observe. He calls them by their names and they only obey his voice. He provides pasture and water even in the wilderness. The shepherd lives night and day with his sheep and protects them from thieves and preying animals who would devour them at night; they fear ‘no evil’.
“The shepherd goes into the sheep pen through the door. The sheep hear his voice, he calls them by name and leads them out.” John 10:2-3. “What man who has a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, doesn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” Luke 15:4-6
“Know that the Lord, he is God; it is he who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful to him and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:3-4
“I will seek those that are lost, and will bring back those that were driven away, and will bind up those that were broken, and will strengthen those that were sick…” From Ezekiel 34
If there can exist such a tender intimacy between a man and his sheep, how much more so between a loving God and the people he has created and redeemed! This is the intimacy YHVH Rohi desires between himself and his people. He doesn’t want mentally/emotionally detached children simply going through repetitious religious exercises. He wants a close personal involvement in every aspect of our lives, one through which we would come to truly depend on Him for our every need.
YHVH SHAMMAH – Lord Present with Us
There is an amazing presence of the Lord when we take time and choose to be in his presence. When I meet with him for coffee each day, I often ask God what he saw overnight, what angered him and what blessed him. That tiny peek into what his people are going through all around the world always prompts my praise for his patience and my prayers for protection and healing his people. Sometimes I review my most difficult memories with him, and he points out he was always in the center, comforting, guiding, protecting and healing. Admittedly, it’s easier to give him praise and glory for the most wonderful memories. I seek his guidance for how I might more fully reflect his image. Then we discuss current challenges on my plate, and I ask for his counseling and input. I open my Bible and usually the first highlighted verse holds the answer. Sometimes that verse will lead to another, and another, and soon he’s leading me again back on the path of righteousness for his very own name’s sake. Of all the attributes to the names of God, he will always be first and foremost, my YHVH Shammah.
Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in your sight, show me now your way, that I may know you, that I may find grace in your sight: and consider that this nation is your people. And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:13-14
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
“From the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the nations…” Malachi 1:11
“The Lord hears you in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob will defend thee.” Psalm 20:1
“I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.” Psalm 138:2
YAH
The Israelites held God’s name in such reverence that they would only refer to him as YAH; they would never speak his whole name, YAHVEH (YHVH).
HALLEL U YAH – Praise to God
The literal Hebrew translation of Hallelujah is Hallel to YAH. The Hallel is a very important part of the Passover, as it is the reading of Psalm 113 to 118. It’s a praise to God for the journey, his glory and the gratitude of his redemption.
“Worship God!” Revelation 22:9
“And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:22.
“We have this confidence in Christ, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us; and if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15.
Father, you are so good. The way you love is totally reflected in the name YHVH Rohi; the image of a shepherd. You provide food, shelter, protection, a secure place of peace and healing; you teach, mentor, love, encourage, comfort, lead, rescue and much more. Your peaceful presence is a warm snuggle where we thrive in your word, safe from harm. Thank you for shepherding and empowering us, we need you.
Next Up: Feasts of God
See Also: Who Am I