Names of God (Part 2)

Who is G-d? (Part 2)

Let's continue looking into the names of G-d.  This is an important study because names are so important.  Names help us identify ourselves and each other, assign characteristics to an individual, and set us each apart as unique.  For this second part of the names of G-d, let us go back to the 23rd Psalm.  In that one chapter, we are given examples of seven of G-d's names, the redemptive names of the Messiah.

"The Lord is my shepherd"

In this first verse, we see Jehovah Rohi, G-d our Shepherd.  Yeshua Jesus makes many references to His sheep and His lambs.  Mark 6:34 tells us that "[Jesus] came out and saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So he began to teach them many things."  John 10:3 says "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out."  John 10:27 says “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

"I shall not want."

Like in the previous newsletter, we see that this is another example of Jehovah Jireh, The-Lord-Will-Provide.  We know that G-d is our provider and that it is He who gives us all good things.  "And my G-d shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Yeshua Jesus the Messiah.” (Phillipians 4:19).  G-d has limitless resources (Psalms 50:10) and He will supply what we need and want (in accordance with His will).

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

Here we see Jehovah-Shalom, the G-d of Peace.  Yeshua Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, among other things in Isaiah 9:6-7, and Isaiah 26:3 promises that He will keep us in "perfect peace" when our mind is focused on Him.  G-d is the author of peace, and the peace He bestows on us is divine and completely blows away any form of worldly peace we think we've found.  In John 14:27 Jesus tells us "Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

This is our loving Shepherd, bestowing upon us Peace that comes from being protected, cared for, provided for, and watched over.

"He restores my soul"

Jehovah Rophe is the G-d who heals or the Lord, Our Healing.  Healing means so much more than the closing of a physical wound.  We have all experienced pain of loss, disappointment, self-pity, self-recrimination, and many other forms of pain and suffering that have nothing to do with physical scars or open wounds.  Sometimes the pain isn't visible to others, making it all that much more difficult for others to know our struggles.  But G-d knows.  (Isaiah 61:1)

To heal is to recover from an injury, to cause to become sound.  To restore is to return to a former condition or situation.  Jehovah Rophe is able to do both.  He can repair our bodies and cause wounds and injuries to close, bones to mend, organs to function correctly, etc. (Isaiah 53:4 and Matthew 8:17)  But He can also restore our minds to a place of peace.  He can ease sufferings, heartache, distress, and failure.  When He "restores" our soul, He returns it to its former condition, an unencumbered condition.  He takes it back unto Himself and we can recuperate in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8)

G-d grants this power to us as well, to heal one another (Matthew 10:8), but that's another lesson for another time.

"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake."

We have touched on this one before too.  Adonai Tzidkenu means the Lord Our Righteousness.  By ourselves, we are incapable of fulfilling all the commandments of G-d.  We are, simply put, too weak.  If it were up to our works alone, none of us would ever be "good" enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, the very throne room of G-d the Father and Creator of the Universe.  BUT, there is a way to get in.  All we have to do is become righteous.  Simple?  Actually, yes.  You see, Messiah has already done the hard part, bore our sin into death.  All we have to do is accept His sacrifice as our own, and put on the righteousness that He bought for us.  (I Corinthians 1:30) and then we too can "glory in the Lord".

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

This is Jehovah Shammah.   It means the Lord is There.  He is our ever-present guide, comforter, mentor, protector, etc.  No matter where we go or what we face, if we want Him to be by our side, He will be there. (I Corinthians 8:3)  Even when we don't know we need Him, He's still there.  In Jeremiah 1:5, He tells us that before He even formed us in the womb, He knew us.  Matthew 10:29 tells us that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground that He does not know about.  He has the hairs on our head numbered.  As I child, I found that verse to be funny.  I once tried to count the hairs on my head and soon realized that it was a task well beyond my skills.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over."

Jehovah Nissi means the Lord our Banner.  In battle, opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This flag, or banner, was meant to give their soldiers a focal point and a reassurance that the army was still strong.   On our nation's holiday of Independence, we rally around our flag, put decorations up representing our flag, wear garments with our flag's colors, etc.  It is our way of identifying ourselves as a people, a nation.

When G-d is our banner, it is the same thing.  HE becomes our focal point, our reassurance, and our identity.  When we keep our focus on Him, He secures our victory.  We put on the armor of G-d to identify with Him and to mark ourselves as His people, His army.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

With all these natures of G-d at our side and all these characteristics He displays to watch over us, guide us, and protect us, why should we ever fear anything?  Not even the valley of the shadow of death.

This concludes the study on the names of G-d for now.  Scripture reveals many names and natures of our Sovereign Lord; some that He’s given to us to reveal His nature to us, and some we’ve chosen for ourselves to exalt and lift His name above all others...One G-d and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6).