Jehovah - I Am

RUN INTO THE STRONG TOWER OF JEHOVAH (YAHWEH) Play and make it your prayer... Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
APPELLATION	ATTRIBUTE	APPLICATION
Does God have a proper name? Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is Jehovah, and exult before Him. (See note) The prophet Isaiah records this declaration by God Himself... "I am Jehovah, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images." (Isa 42:8) Hemphill concludes: Most Bible scholars would agree that the name Yahweh, or Jehovah, as it is sometimes translated, would be the proper name of God. The other names, including the compound names, provide further revelation of His character and His activity. (Names of God) JEHOVAH (YHWH) (Or JHVH) (Most Common name for God in OT = 6823x) Note that the 4 letters (tetra = 4) of YHWH are often referred to as the *Tetragrammaton* (Click) Vowels were added to the "Tetragrammaton" (literally "four lettered name") (Prior to 6th century Hebrew has no vowels - added to text AD 600-700) yielding the Name... YAHWEH ... which is most commonly transliterated (transcribed from one alphabet into corresponding letters of another alphabet) as... JEHOVAH Note that when a Bible translation has LORD in all caps (actually capital L and small capital letters) it signifies... JEHOVAH LORD is used in the NASB, ESV, GWT, KJV, NKJV, NAB, NIV, NLT, NRSV. Some versions retain Yahweh (NJB). A few versions transliterate YHWH as Jehovah (ASV, Darby, YLT). As wonderful as the Name "LORD" is, there is something especially beautiful when one speaks forth the Name "Jehovah". Note: Lord in lower case signifies... ADONAI ><>><>><> Jehovah is the most sacred, holy Name of God for the Jews who had a great fear that they might pollute His holy Name and thus they refused to pronounce it (substituting Adonai) (they feared violating Ex 20:7). There was one exception on the great Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) when the high priest (and no one else) could speak "YHWH" as he entered the Holy of holies (cf Leviticus 16). When the Jews copied the letters Jehovah, they would stop transcribing when they came to YHWH and would remove their clothes, take a bath, put on clean garments and use a new unused pen to write this most venerated Name. How tragic to see God's Name taken in vain with such impunity on television and movies! To the Jews Jehovah became a Name that kept God at a distance. But as the study of Jehovah reveals, to begin (and that is all finite men can do in regard to such an awesome Name used 6823 times) to understand the significance of YHWH is to learn to "run into" this great Name (see notes Proverbs 18:10) where you will discover truths about God's character that when applied will succor you in trials and strengthen you to walk worthy of the Lord. May we learn like the Jews of old to adore and revere this awesome Name of our glorious God. As an aside the name of Israel’s God was so sacred that the Jews would not speak it; therefore the original pronunciation was eventually forgotten. So we are not 100% certain how to pronounce YHWH, but YAHWEH is the best attempt. ><>><>><> First occurrence of JEHOVAH Genesis 2:4 A full revelation of the meaning and character of the Name Jehovah is not given by God until Exodus 3 ><>><>><> JEHOVAH "Defined" In Exodus 3 God said to Moses "I AM WHO I AM" and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Ex 3:14) Literally it reads... I AM [hayah] that I AM [*hayah] The Greek translation (Septuagint - LXX) of the Hebrew I AM* is Ego eimi (Verb eimi is in present tense = continuous action ~ God's eternality - see Eternal) God goes on to say to Moses... Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My Name forever, and this is My memorial-Name to all generations. (Ex 3:15) What truths do you see in the fact that Jehovah is the God of the patriarchs? 1) Speaks of God's eternality (Eternal) and life beyond the grave (not "I was" but "I am" implying they still exist) 2) Alludes to God's eternal covenant and the inherent promises (See Ex 2:24) (See also Abrahamic covenant) Jehovah is God's Memorial Name - The Name to use when calling on Him What is the context for the revelation of God as "I AM"? Moses tells us Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them." (Read Exodus 2). God heard Personal plea hearing God God remembered Covenant Keeping God God saw Omniscient God God took notice Compassionate God ><>><>><> JEHOVAH God's name of Revelation Repeatedly (854x) the KJV Scriptures declare *saith the LORD* and only twice *saith God* The name Jehovah affirms that God not only exists but that He communicates with us and desires to reveal Himself in such a way that we can come to know Him, ultimately only through "The Way", Who is Jesus, Who in turn (discussed below) is Jehovah. ><>><>><> JEHOVAH COVENANT NAME Ge 15:18 On that day Jehovah made (cut) a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. JEHOVAH COVENANT KEEPER "I am the LORD (Jehovah) and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by My Name, LORD (Jehovah), I did not make Myself known to them. (Exodus 6:2-3 see explanatory note) ><>><>><> Who is "I Am"? Is "Jehovah" mentioned in the New Testament? John 12:41 These things Isaiah said, because he saw His (Jesus') glory (Isaiah 6) and he spoke of Him (Jesus). CONCLUSION? Jesus = Jehovah (See explanatory notes below - See esp the caveats) What did Jesus teach in John 8:24 (see note) and John 8:58 (note)? Jesus declared to the Jews... (v24) I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I Am (Ego eimi) He, you shall die in your sins... (v58)Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am (Ego eimi = present tense). CONCLUSION? Jesus = I AM Revelation 1:8 (note) Again Jesus clearly declares... I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty. Hebrews 13:8 (note) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. (Immutable Christ)	JEHOVAH SELF-EXISTENT ONE (See also self-existent, eternal, infinite) I AM = *Hayah* = to be, exist (See Maclaren's eloquent explanation) Jesus amplified the "I Am" with seven great I AM revelations (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 14:6; l5:1-5) Hemphill writes that... He is the One Who in Himself possesses life and permanent existence. He Alone!...God is the uncaused cause. He is the first cause and before Him there was no other and after Him there will be no other. Life is found in Him. He is the first cause that you may have been searching for all of your life. (Hemphill, K. Names of God) Nathan Stone comments that I am that I am could be rendered, "I will be that I will be," and often the word is used in that sense, "I will be with thee." Its origin is exactly the same as that of Jehovah - being, existence - and certainly denotes the One who will always be: personal, continuous, absolute existence. (Names of God) Swanson writes that "I AM WHO I AM, i.e., a title of God with a focus on presence, care, concern, and relationship" (Dict of Biblical Languages w Semantic Domains Hebrew) God within His own being possesses the ESSENCE OF LIFE. The "IS-ness" of God is expressive both of His presence and His existence. He is in a sense in which no other being is. He is, and the cause of His being is in Himself. He is because He is. ><>><>><> JEHOVAH TRANSCENDENT ONE Self Existence of God All created entities have a beginning, including time itself (Ge 1:1). As creatures, we must reckon in terms of the past and future, but to the Creator of time, all is present. He is transcendent or beyond our comprehension. (Transcendent) ><>><>><> JEHOVAH PERSONAL HOLY ONE I am Jehovah your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy for I am holy (Lev 11:44) (Spurgeon's note) Jehovah may be transcendent but He is also personal as well as holy (set apart from the profane) ><>><>><> JEHOVAH RIGHTEOUS ONE Jehovah is righteous; He loves righteousness The upright will behold His face. (Psalm 11:7) (note) Jehovah possesses righteousness as a personal attribute, loves it in the abstract, and blesses those who practise it. ><>><>><> JEHOVAH UNCHANGEABLE ONE I, Jehovah do not change (Malachi 3:6) In regard to time and space. The centuries that have passed since the covenant promises were been made to "the fathers" have not caused God to forget them, for to Him they are as new as ever. (Immutable) When you need assurance that God is there, keeping His promises, never changing even though you have wavered in your promises to Him, run to your Jehovah. Trust in His name. His name Jehovah cannot change because He cannot change. Jesus is Jehovah, the same yesterday, today, and forever. When life takes unexpected turns or suffering sets in, be comforted knowing that Jehovah was not created, nor does His character change. His name refers to what He is and does from all eternity. Cast your burdens on the changeless, steadfast, everlasting I AM Who simply and yet profoundly "IS" and so is the unmoving center point around which all time and space revolves. ><>><>><> The respected Jewish commentator of the Middle Ages, Moses Maimonides, had these comments on Jehovah... All the names of God which occur in Scripture are derived from His works except one, and that is Jehovah; and this is called the plain name, because it teaches plainly and unequivocally of the substance of God. In the name Jehovah the personality of the Supreme is distinctly expressed. It is everywhere a proper name denoting the person of God and Him only.” ><>><>><> Dr. Charles Ryrie writes Jehovah... occurs 6,823 times in the OT and is especially associated with God's holiness (Lev 11:44-45), His hatred of sin (Ge 6:3-7), and His gracious provision of redemption (Isa 53:1, 5, 6, 10). ><>><>><> Smith and Cornwall summarize Jehovah writing that... This name reveals God as the One Who is absolutely self-existent, and Who, in Himself, possesses essential life and permanent existence. A name of covenant relationship; God’s signature when He entered into a covenant with man. The name is first used as Jehovah-Elohim in Genesis 2:4, denoting that Elohim, the God of relationship, now requires order and obedience. Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew verb “havah” = to be; to exist; being; to breathe. The name Jehovah brings before us the idea of being or existence and life. Jehovah is the Being who is absolutely self-existent, the One who in Himself possesses essential life, the One who has permanent existence, He who is without beginning or end (Isaiah 43:10, 11; Psalm 102:27). Jehovah is the ever existent One; the Eternal; the Everlasting One - that is; the One continually revealing Himself and His ways and purposes. (The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names) ><>><>><> Spurgeon adds that Elohim, as the Creator and Preserver, takes care of living things to preserve them; but the Lord, even Jehovah, the covenanting God, interposes in great mercy to protect his chosen servant. It was Jehovah Who entered into solemn league and covenant with His servant Noah that he would preserve him in the ark, and float him into the new world in it; and as Jehovah the covenanting One He shut him in. There is no security like that which is given us by the covenant of grace. The hand which was lifted to swear our safety has also been outstretched to effect it. The everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure guarantees salvation to all who are represented by the great Head and Surety of that covenant, even our Lord Jesus. Love and power cooperate with faithfulness and truth to keep the chosen from all danger. Dwell much upon the Covenant, and note the immutable pledges by which it is secured and the immortal principles upon which it is founded. Try to suck out the delicious sweetness which is to be found in the hive of the Covenant; for if you are an advanced child of God no form of truth can be more nourishing or refreshing to your mind. The doctrines which spring out of the covenant are peculiarly comforting to believing minds (e.g., see Exchange of Robes, Exchange of Armor and Belts, Oneness of Covenant, etc). The promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, and can never fail nor change, since the covenant standeth fast for ever and ever. Its tenure is free and sovereign grace, and it cannot be disannulled. Here is a line of it, “I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” With such a promise doth Jehovah shut us in with Christ Jesus in matchless kindness and unspeakable love (See full sermon Shut in or Shut Out) ><>><>><> JEHOVAH HYMNS JEHOVAH, GOD THE FATHER, BLESS JEHOVAH, GOD, THY GRACIOUS POWER JEHOVAH, GOD, WHO DWELT OF OLD JEHOVAH HEAR THEE IN THY GRIEF JEHOVAH IS MY LIGHT JEHOVAH IS OUR STRENGTH JEHOVAH, LET ME NOW ADORE THEE JEHOVAH, MY GOD, ON THY HELP I DEPEND JEHOVAH REIGNS, LET EARTH BE GLAD JEHOVAH, TO MY PRAYER GIVE EAR JEHOVAH’S PERFECT LAW ><>><>><> In The Presence of Jehovah (Real Audio) (click for Mp3) In and out of situations, That tug-of-war at me All day long I struggle For answers that I need But then I come into His presence, All my questions become clear And for a sacred moment, No doubt can interfere Chorus In the presence of Jehovah, God Almighty, Prince of Peace Troubles vanish, hearts are mended, In the presence of The King.	Jehovah most clearly revealed Himself in a time of great need (read Exodus 3) for Israel was in bondage in Egypt and without hope from a human perspective. In response to their cry Jehovah revealed Himself as the I AM... I AM...the answer to your affliction. He still reveals Himself as Jehovah in our times of affliction and adversity. Will you humble yourself and cry out to I AM? JEHOVAH YOUR GUIDE "I AM... your Guide" Jehovah... "will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:11)(See Spurgeon) Although originally given to Israel this promise is applicable to all of God's children for all are in covenant with I AM (cf Gal 3:29 Jn 1:12) -- Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah (Click to play) Jehovah Jesus (note) is the same even when the world is spinning seemingly out of control (He is in control) and many times our lives seem to be out of control. We can take those "out of control" thoughts captive and can rest in the absolute Truth that I AM never changes. He is the same regardless of the times, circumstances, etc. Jesus is the 'I AM' Who by His Spirit is active in empowering us for daily living and difficult circumstances. In the Greek "ego eimi" is present tense, signifying continuous activity. Whatever your present tense NEED, Jesus is the "I AM" provision for that need. Do you know God as active in your life to overcome doubt or depression? Do you know Him as the present tense answer to the healing of broken relationships? Do you know Him as the God who can deal with your anger and resentment, as the God who can change your life? He is the "I AM" who is active to transform and empower daily living. Whatever your present tense need, Jesus is the "I AM" of God. He always was. He always is. He always will be. We all need Someone in this life Who will never change. We need someone Who is always there because we live in a day of broken relationships, when those we had trusted have betrayed us or forsaken us. Jehovah is the same, yesterday, today, yes and forever. Why do we look elsewhere? Why not rest in Jehovah's unchangeableness? "I Am" has never failed. Would He begin with me or you? He cannot. He is Jehovah, the self-existent, covenant keeping, omniscient, compassionate God. And so Isaiah can confidently declare... "Trust in Jehovah forever, for in GOD the I AM, we have an everlasting Rock." (Isaiah 26:4) (Spurgeon's note) Jesus is Jehovah (note) I AM anything & everything you will ever need. If this is true then I must make the daily choice to come into His presence, to cry out to Him, to listen to Him and then to trust His guidance. ><>><>><> JEHOVAH: YOUR PORTION Jeremiah knew His God as "I Am" and even when all "hope" appeared lost, because He knew His Name and His character, he could confidently declare... Jehovah is my portion (Hebrew = inheritance) says my soul. Therefore I have hope in Him (Lamentations 3:24) (Spurgeon's devotional) ><>><>><> JEHOVAH EZER YOUR HELPER (Click study) The writer of Hebrews writes to saints who are in need of stabilizing truth which he draws from the OT declaration by Jehovah: Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself (Jehovah in Deut 31:6) has said, "I WILL NEVER (ever) DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I (never) EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD (Jehovah in Deut 31:6) IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT SHALL MAN DO TO ME?" (see notes* Heb 13:5; 13:6). (Spurgeon's note) *HELPER is Greek boethos (click boethos from boe = cry out for help + théo = run to) which gives us the incredible word picture of the great "I AM" Who is willing and able to run to our side when we cry out for help! Now what must we do? See related studies: Psalm 121: Devotional Commentary Word Studies on Help ><>><>><> JEHOVAH: THE GOD WHO HEARS PRAYER "This poor man cried and Jehovah heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.... The righteous cry and Jehovah hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." (Ps 34:6, 34:17) (Spurgeon's notes) ><>><>><> JEHOVAH: YOUR BEST THOUGHT AT NIGHT "O JEHOVAH I remember Thy Name in the night and keep Thy law." (Ps 119:55) (Spurgeon's note) ><>><>><> Psalm 9:10 And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee, for Thou, O Jehovah, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee. (See note) The revelation and experiential (not just intellectual) knowledge of Jehovah and His character (which is inherent in His name) inspires trust. Spurgeon encourages us to meditate upon the Lord’s holy Name, that we may trust Him the better and rejoice the more readily. He is in character holy, just, true, gracious, faithful, and unchanging. Is not such a God to be trusted? He is all wise, almighty, and everywhere present; can we not cheerfully rely upon Him? Yes, we will do so at once, and do so without reserve. Jehovah Jireh will provide; Jehovah Shalom will send peace; Jehovah Tsidkenu will justify; Jehovah Shammah will be forever near; and in Jehovah Nissi, we will conquer every foe. They that know thy Name will trust thee; and they that trust thee will rejoice in thee, O Lord. (Faith's Checkbook) As Guzik says... inherent in the idea behind the name I Am is the sense that God is "the becoming one"; God becomes whatever is lacking in our time of need. The name I Am invites us to fill in the blank to meet our need - when we are in darkness, Jesus says I am the light; when we are hungry, He says I am the bread of life, when we are defenseless, He says I am the Good Shepherd. God is the becoming one, becoming what we need. (Guzik - Enduring Word Commentary) (Note: "I Am" is not a carte blanche for our greeds but our needs!) ><>><>><> PASSING THROUGH by Annie Johnson Flint “When Thou passest through the waters,” Deep the waves may be & cold, But JEHOVAH is our Refuge And His promise is our hold; For the LORD Himself hath said it, He the faithful God & true; “When thou comest to the waters, Thou shalt not go down, but through. Seas of sorrow, seas of trial, Bitterest anguish, fiercest pain, Rolling surges of temptation, Sweeping over heart & brain, They shall never overflow us, For we know His word is true; All His waves & all His billows He will lead us safely through. Threatening breakers of destruction, Doubt’s insidious undertow, Shall not sink us, shall not drag us Out to ocean depths of woe; For His promise shall sustain us, Praise the LORD, Whose word is true! We shall not go down or under, He hath said, “Thou passest through.”

I AM I was regretting the past And fearing the future... Suddenly my Lord was speaking: “MY NAME IS I AM.” He paused. I waited. He continued, “When you live in the past, With its mistakes and regrets, It is hard. I am not there. My name is not I was. “When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I will be. “When you live in this moment, It is not hard. I am here. My name is I am.” --Helen Mallicoat Spurgeon has the following exposition of the Name Jehovah... Jehovah: “the God of the whole earth shall He be called.” His kingdom ruleth over all: there is universality. But He calls Himself “Thy God”: there is specialty. The goodness of God surrounds all the creatures He has made; but there is a love which is peculiar to His own. To all the nations of the earth He was the one only Lord and God; but yet he said of Israel, “You only have I known, of all the families of the earth.” Limit not the benevolence of God; but, at the same time, do not deny the specialty of His love to His people. Wide is the circumference of mercy, but the chosen dwell in the innermost center of His love. Thus, the one ever glorious Jehovah, while He is God unto the ends of the earth, is Israel’s God in a sense in which He is not the God of Assyria, or Persia, or Egypt, or Ethiopia; He has made Himself over to His own chosen people, saying, “I will be their God.” Jehovah, the glorious I AM, signifies self-existence. He borrows nothing from others; indeed, in a sense, there are no others apart from Him, since all live by His permit and power. He is as complete without His creatures as with them. When there were no heavens, no earth, no twinkling star, nor flying seraph, He was as truly God, and as complete within Himself, as He is now that He has made creatures innumerable. Yet, though He be thus all-sufficient, self-sufficient, and self-existent, still He deigns to link Himself with our nothingness, and call Himself “Jehovah, thy God.” The Self-existent gives His people existence, and then exists that He may bless them, and magnify the glory of His own existence in them. The Lord liveth, and we live in Him, and by Him. In Jesus we hear God saying to us, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” Oh, blessed union to God in Christ Jesus, by which we are supplied with every good from the self-existent fountain of life and being. Jehovah, again, is a Name which means immutability. “I Am That I Am” was his name to Moses. God always is in the present. To Him there is no past or future.