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THE NAME OF GOD… |
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| WHAT DOES ADONAI MEAN? |
ADONAI IN SCRIPTURE |
HOW DO I APPLY ADONAI? |
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Definition of Adonai - Adonai is more than a name Ge 15:2 Abram addressed God as Adonai or Master - the Master has the right of possession and the one possessed is charged with submission to God, his Master (cp Ge 15:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Abram's Example - Abram had victory over his enemies, understanding El Elyon brought about the victory (Ge 14:22). In Ge 15:2 he acknowledges God's lordship over him - Abram understood master-servant relationship - He knew duty of master = protect, provide for his slave - He knew that the duty of the master = give directions Scripture teaches that bondslaves fared better than hired servants (cp Dt 15:12-18 - see note) ADON ADONAI Adon (singular form). Means master, lord. Adon can refer to men (most uses) or God. Adonai only refers to God. Pious Jews refuse to pronounce the name Jehovah (Yahweh) when reading the OT - when they come to the Name Jehovah, they will read it as "Adonai". In the Septuagint (LXX) Adonai (and Jehovah) are translated with the same Greek noun kurios (see word study) which signifies sovereign power, supreme authority, absolute ownership. In the NT, Jesus is referred to <20 times as Savior (soter) and over 700 times as Lord (kurios)! When the two titles are mentioned together, Lord always precedes Savior Adonai (plural form composed of Adon + "ai" = my) literally = "my Lords", usually translated "my Lord" or "Lord" (capital "L" followed by small letters. Contrast Jehovah which is rendered in all caps [LORD] in NAS, ESV, KJV). The plural form Adonai is said to be a plural of majesty like Elohim (although some say the plural form of both of these names of God points to the truth of the Trinity in the OT). Adon (300 uses in OT) - most often refers to men. For ex… 1) Lord of his wife (Ge 18:12) 2) Of polite address (Ge 23:6) 3) Lord of a slave (Ge 24:12) 4) Lord of property (Ge 42:30) 5) Lord of house (Ge 45:8) 6) Title of veneration (Nu 11:28) 7) As a court term (1Sa 26:17) R C Sproul - "Suffix ai intensifies the meaning of the word (Adon), so that Adonai means the supreme Lord, the Lord of all. This word stresses the sovereignty of God as All-ruler" Adonai - Depicts Sovereign Master and implies a submissive servant. Servant can depend on Master to be faithful in provision, protection, direction. (even as OT slaves - see Dt 15:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17-see note) Elohim speaks of God's might and power Adonai speaks of His right to rule over us. Lordship conveys sense of complete possession of the servant by the master and complete submission of the servant to the master. In the NT the idea of believers as bondservants (doulos - word study) is a reflection of Jesus as Lord or Master. (cp NT's frequent use of this self designation - Ro 1:1-note, Gal 1:10, Titus 1:1-note, 2Ti 2:24-note, Jas 1:1-note, Jude 1:1). Adonai always has reference to headship, and to God's purpose of blessing. (A W Pink) Adonai… "signifies ownership or mastership and indicates "the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all." (Nathan Stone) Three characteristics of those who know God as Adonai...
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Extent of Adonai's Dt 9:26 over Israel & Egypt Ps 2:1, 2, 3, 4 over nations, kings and rulers of the earth ("Adonai gave" Da 1:2) Ps 8:1,6, 7, 8 over the earth, man, all creatures Ps 37:12, 13 over the wicked & righteous Ps 97:5 over the mountains Ps 114:7 over the earth Ps 135:5 over all gods Malachi 1:6 'A son honors his father, and a servant his master (adon). Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master (adon), where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name (by offering defiled food at His altar Mal 1:7). But you say, 'How have we despised Thy name?' (Note how chapter ends "I am a great King… " Mal 1:14)! Even as a son honors his father and a servant his master, Adonai has the right to expect respect & obedience. The priests brought reproach upon His name by failing to acknowledge His ownership of all that exists. In Short… And so we pray… Nu 14:17 ><>><>><> ADONAI Exodus 4:10 Moses called Jehovah His hesitation to obey the call of God eventually ended when he acknowledged God as Adonai, or Lord (Ex4:10, 11-18). When Moses admitted his position as a slave (bondservant) and God’s position as Master there was only one viable option--to obey. When Moses called God Adonai, he acknowledged that it was not his place as the slave to choose his work but to heed his Master’s directive! May we follow in his footsteps. Joshua 5:14 Joshua Prepared for Battle “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord (adonai) to say to his servant?” (see Josh 5:13, 14,15) Isaiah 6:1, 8 Isaiah's Call to Ministry Is 6:1 - Isaiah saw Adonai sitting on the throne Is 6:8 - Isaiah heard Adonai's voice - he submitted and responded to His Master's voice declaring "Here I am. Send me!" After seeing Him as the exalted, majestic Adonai He was ready and willing to do His bidding! Am I? Jeremiah 1:5, 6 When Jeremiah is called to ministry, he acknowledges and submits to God ("Lord God") as Adonai = His Lord and Master ><>><>><> ADONAI IS Ps 110:1 Jehovah speaks to Adonai, the Messiah = Jesus Christ is Lord ADONAI Lk 14:25, 26 Mt 10:38, 39 Over my life/death Jn 13:13, 14, 15, 16 Lk 6:46 It is possible to mouth the name "Lord" and yet fail to live accordingly. Jesus ask "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' (see kurios) and do not do what I say?" (Lk 6:46). It is not enough to give lip service to Christ as Adonai. Faith without works is dead faith, whereas faith that is genuine results in obedience (albeit imperfect in this life). Can you call Him `Lord', and continually refuse to do what He tells you to do and expect that you will still go to heaven? |
Application of "Adonai" 1Co 6:19-note, 1Co 6:20-note (cp Titus 2:14-note) Is He your Lord? The Name Adonai challenges the every person who calls God "Lord" to be willing live in a way that demonstrates His Lordship! In other words, the declaration "He is Lord" must be not only with our lips but also with our life! A dangerous deception is to call Him "Lord, Lord" but then to refuse to submit to him in loving obedience. Mt 7:21-note, Mt 7:22, 23-note Jesus Frightening Warning "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does (present tense = habitually = speaks of direction not perfection. Speaks of obedience as a servant would obey their "master" or adonai) the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many (not just a few!) will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord (second time they appeal to His lordship!), did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' (Notice He does not dispute their claims) And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART (present imperative) FROM ME , YOU WHO PRACTICE (present tense) LAWLESSNESS.' (cp Mt 25:41, 2Th 1:8, 9, 10) Ps 89:50, 51 Bear His reproach = persecution Ps 141:8, 9, 10 Take refuge in Him = protection Ps 119:125 Ask for understanding to know His testimonies = direction Jdg 6:14, 15, 16 God's presence = ensures victory Ps 136:3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords (adonai adonai) (Dt 10:17) Jn 13:13, 14, 15 If we call Him "Lord"… Let us do as Jesus did! Ro 6:16, 17-note Phil 1:21-note To live is Christ, to die is gain Adonai is Master and a master is one who helps order the life of His subject and direct what he should do. Is God your Adonai, your Master, or are you the "master" of your life (and then you wonder why you get into such "fixes"!)? Adonai is a Name of God which speaks of relationship. Jehovah's Lordship means He is in total possession of me and I gladly give my unfettered submission to Him as my Lord and my Master. What area of your life are you holding onto and are unwilling to relinquish to your Master? Your job? Your spouse? Your children? Your "pet" sin? Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to really understand practically what His Lordship means for you personally. He will surely show you. The truth about Adonai is directly opposed to the modern self centered mindset which in deception and delusion proclaims "I am the master of my own fate, the author of my destiny!" the age old lie pawned off by the devil in Ge 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. ALL WILL CONFESS One day every tongue will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ regardless of whether they did so during their time on earth. If you have not yet done so… Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, (and) you shall be saved for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Ro 10:9, 10-note May we be so surrendered to Jesus that we like David cry out… I said to Jehovah, "You are my Adonai. I have no good besides You." Ps 16:2 |
Lewis Sperry Chafer on the importance of a "Name" in Scripture…
Kenneth S Hemphill in his discussion of the implications of Adonai as owner of everything writes that…
><>><>><> Servant's Relationship to Master - When Americans try to illustrate the master/slave relationship, it is tempting to think in terms typified by the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. But because of the abuse of black slaves portrayed in the book, the imagery does not accurately illustrate God’s relationship to us as Adonai. The relationship of slave and master in the Bible was more often one of love and allegiance. In the Jewish relationship, a slave had more privileges than the hired help. A slave could participate in the Temple sacrifices and was a member of the household. The hired help was excluded from these privileges. The servant is assured that his Master has the resources and ability to care for him. As a member of the master’s household, the master provides for all the servant needs. The servant need not worry about his basic provision. The servant is assured that help and resources are available for him to carry out his duties as a servant. The master provides what is needed, not only for basic needs, but also for the fulfillment of the tasks assigned to the servant. The servant has the privilege of calling upon his relationship with the Master to get the help he needs. Access to the Master is guaranteed, and is only a prayer away. ><>><>><> He is Lord - Many are ready to acknowledge God as Elohim, but have a hard time truly given themselves to Him as Adonai. Remembering that Christ is Adonai, calling Him Adonai requires that we give up our self-sufficiency and personal control and give Him complete reign over our lives. Yet, it is only when we know Christ as Adonai that I experience His full sufficiency and power for my life. Jesus stated this truth in Jn 8:31, 32. Paul articulated the difference knowing God as Adonai makes in Ro 6:16, 17-note, Ro 6:18-note. Commitment and unconditional submission to the will of God ought to be the norm for every one of His children. Paul was able to say, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Php 1:21-note). Do not write off those who live in this way as the fanatics, the super saints, the ones whose duty it is to live that life because they are called to full-time service of some sort. It is the relationship we all have to God as Adonai! How will you bend your knee – and your will – to Adonai today? Matthew Henry on Ps 16:2…
Samson after "doing it his way" finally surrendered to his Master, Adonai, after being imprisoned and blinded by the Philistines…
David emphasizes the servant-Master aspect of Adonai in 2Sa 7:20 (cp 2Sa 7:29)…
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ADON and ADONAI TWOT on Adon…
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary…
New Unger's Bible Dictionary…
Adon - 287v in KJV - Gen 18:12; 19:2, 18; 23:6, 11, 15; 24:9f, 12, 14, 18, 27, 35ff, 39, 42, 44, 48f, 51, 54, 56, 65; 31:35; 32:4f, 18; 33:8, 13ff; 39:2f, 7f, 16, 19f; 40:1, 7; 42:10, 30, 33; 43:20; 44:5, 7ff, 16, 18ff, 22, 24, 33; 45:8f; 47:18, 25; Exod 21:4ff, 8, 32; 23:17; 32:22; 34:23; Num 11:28; 12:11; 32:25, 27; 36:2; Deut 10:17; 23:15; Josh 3:11, 13; 5:14; Judg 3:25; 4:18; 6:13; 19:11f, 26f; Ruth 2:13; 1 Sam 1:15, 26; 16:16; 20:38; 22:12; 24:6, 8, 10; 25:10, 14, 17, 24ff, 41; 26:15ff; 29:4, 8, 10; 30:13, 15; 2 Sam 1:10; 2:5, 7; 3:21; 4:8; 9:9ff; 10:3; 11:9, 11, 13; 12:8; 13:32f; 14:9, 12, 15, 17ff, 22; 15:15, 21; 16:3f, 9; 18:28, 31f; 19:19f, 26ff, 30, 35, 37; 20:6; 24:3, 21f; 1 Kgs 1:2, 11, 13, 17f, 20f, 24, 27, 31, 33, 36f, 43, 47; 2:38; 3:17, 26; 11:23; 12:27; 16:24; 18:7f, 10f, 13f; 20:4, 9; 22:17; 2 Kgs 2:3, 5, 16, 19; 4:16, 28; 5:1, 3f, 18, 20, 22, 25; 6:5, 12, 15, 22f, 26, 32; 8:5, 12, 14; 9:7, 11, 31; 10:2f, 6, 9; 18:23f, 27; 19:4, 6; 1 Chr 12:19; 21:3, 23; 2 Chr 2:14f; 13:6; 18:16; Neh 3:5; 8:10; 10:29; Job 3:19; Ps 8:1, 9; 12:4; 45:11; 97:5; 105:21; 110:1; 114:7; 123:2; 135:5; 136:3; 147:5; Prov 25:13; 27:18; 30:10; Isa 1:24; 3:1; 10:16, 33; 19:4; 22:18; 24:2; 26:13; 36:8f, 12; 37:4, 6; 51:22; Jer 22:18; 27:4; 34:5; 37:20; 38:9; Dan 1:10; 10:16f, 19; 12:8; Hos 12:14; Amos 4:1; Mic 4:13; Zeph 1:9; Zech 1:9; 4:4f, 13f; 6:4f; Mal 1:6; 3:1
Adonai - 459x in 444 verses in OT NAS. Almost 300 times Adonai is found in combination with Jehovah and is rendered "Lord God" - Ge 15:2, 8; 18:27, 30, 31, 32; 19:2, 18; 20:4; Ex 4:10, 13; 5:22; 15:17; 34:9; Num 14:17; Deut 3:24; 9:26; 10:17; Josh 3:11, 13; 5:14; 7:7,8; Jdg 6:15, 22; 13:8; 16:28; 2Sa 7:18, 19, 20, 22, 28, 29; 1Ki 2:26; 3:10, 15; 8:53; 22:6; 2Ki 7:6; 19:23; Ezra 10:3; Neh 1:11; 4:14; 8:10; 10:29; Job 28:28; Ps 2:4; 8:1, 9; 16:2; 22:30; 35:17, 22, 23; 37:13; 38:9, 15, 22; 39:7; 40:17; 44:23; 45:11; 51:15; 54:4; 55:9; 57:9; 59:11; 62:12; 66:18; 68:11, 17, 19, 20, 22, 32; 69:6; 71:5, 16; 73:20, 28; 77:2, 7; 78:65; 79:12; 86:3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15; 89:49, 50; 90:1, 17; 97:5; 109:21; 110:1, 5; 114:7; 130:2, 3, 6; 135:5; 140:7; 141:8; 147:5; Isa 1:24; 3:1, 15, 17, 18; 4:4; 6:1, 8, 11; 7:7, 14, 20; 8:7; 9:8, 17; 10:12, 16, 23, 24; 11:11; 19:4; 21:6, 8, 16; 22:5, 12, 14, 15; 25:8; 28:2, 16, 22; 29:13; 30:15, 20; 37:24; 38:16; 40:10; 48:16; 49:14, 22; 50:4, 5, 7, 9; 51:22; 52:4; 56:8; 61:1, 11; 65:13, 15; Jer 1:6; 2:19, 22; 4:10; 7:20; 14:13; 32:17, 25; 44:26; 46:10; 49:5; 50:25, 31; Lam 1:14, 15; 2:1, 2, 5, 7, 18, 19, 20; 3:31, 36, 37, 58; (Note concentration in Ezekiel- usually in the phrase "Lord God") Ezekiel 2:4; 3:11, 27; 4:14; 5:5, 7, 8, 11; 6:3, 11; 7:2, 5; 8:1; 9:8; 11:7, 8, 13, 16, 17, 21; 12:10, 19, 23, 25, 28; 13:3, 8, 9, 13, 16, 18, 20; 14:4, 6, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23; 15:6, 8; 16:3, 8, 14, 19, 23, 30, 36, 43, 48, 59, 63; 17:3, 9, 16, 19, 22; 18:3, 9, 23, 25, 29, 30, 32; 20:3, 5, 27, 30, 31, 33, 36, 39, 40, 44, 47, 49; 21:7, 13, 24, 26, 28; 22:3, 12, 19, 28, 31; 23:22, 28, 32, 34, 35, 46, 49; 24:3, 6, 9, 14, 21, 24; 25:3, 6, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 26:3, 5, 7, 14, 15, 19, 21; 27:3; 28:2, 6, 10, 12, 22, 24, 25; 29:3, 8, 13, 16, 19, 20; 30:2, 6, 10, 13, 22; 31:10, 15, 18; 32:3, 8, 11, 14, 16, 31, 32; 33:11, 17, 20, 25, 27; 34:2, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 20, 30, 31; 35:3, 6, 11, 14; 36:2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 32, 33, 37; 37:3, 5, 9, 12, 19, 21; 38:3, 10, 14, 17, 18, 21; 39:1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 17, 20, 25, 29; 43:18, 19, 27; 44:6, 9, 12, 15, 27; 45:9, 15, 18; 46:1, 16; 47:13, 23; 48:29; Da 1:2; 9:3, 4, 7, 9, 15, 16, 17, 19 (Note concentration in Daniel's great prayer - see Daniel 9 Commentary); Hos 12:14; Amos 1:8; 3:7, 8, 11, 13; 4:2, 5; 5:3, 16; 6:8; 7:1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8:1, 3, 9, 11; 9:1, 5, 8; Obad 1:1; Mic 1:2; 4:13; Hab 3:19; Zeph 1:7; Zech 4:14; 6:5; 9:4, 14; Mal 1:12, 14.
Girdlestone's Synonyms of the OT…
J M Boice commenting on "Jesus Christ is Lord" in Phil 2:11 asks…
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible on Adon/Adonai…
Ps 97:5 Lord (adon) of the whole earth Adam Clarke…
Zech 4:14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord (Adon) of the whole earth." Seiss Comments on Zechariah…
Larry Richards…
Adon - 13x in 12v in the Psalms - Ps 8:1, Ps 8:9, Ps 12:4 (of man), Ps 45:12 (of men), Ps 97:5, Ps 105:21 (of men), Ps 110:1, Ps 114:7, Ps 123:2 (of men), Ps 135:5, Ps 136:3 (2x) Ps 110:1 "Jehovah says to my Adon" - Here Adon refers to the Messiah and Poole comments that…
Ps 114:7 Tremble, O earth, before the Lord (Adon), Before the God of Jacob, Spurgeon
Ps 135:5 Our Lord (Adonim) is above all gods. Phillips…
Holman Bible Dictionary…
Matthew Henry…
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| SUMMARY ON ADONAI
Anchor Bible Dictionary…
Ryrie has this note on Adonai…
C I Scofield on Adon/Adonai…
Robert Lightner comments on Adon/Adonai…
Ps 44:23 Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever. Wiersbe comments that "Lord" (Adonai)
Ps 16:2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” (Ps 16:2). R C Sproul comments on "Lord"…
Boice comments
R C Sproul writes that…
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NATHAN STONE - ADONAI THE NAMES OF GOD we have studied so far have been Elohim, translated "God" in our Bibles; Jehovah, translated "LORD"; and "El-Shaddai," translated "God Almighty" or "Almighty God." These names have related rather to the Person of God--the power and glory of His Being, as in Elohim; the expression of Himself as a God of righteousness, holiness, love and redemption, as in Jehovah; and as a beneficent and bountiful Bestower of powers, gifts, blessings, and fruitfulness for service, as seen in El-Shaddai. While these names do imply or demand a responsibility on the part of man to conform to the Being in whose image he is made, the name under consideration in this chapter makes a definite claim upon man's obedience and service.
The Lord Jesus in Matthew 22:41-45 (as also Peter, Acts 2:34, 35; and Heb 1:13; 10:12, 13) refers this striking passage to Himself. How significant then that David, speaking of but one member of the Trinity, should use here not the plural Adonai, but the singular form Adoni: "Jehovah said unto my Adoni," that is to Christ, the second Person of the Trinity! The name Adonai, while translated "Lord," signifies ownership or mastership and indicates "the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all." The expression, "Lord of lords," in Deuteronomy 10:17, could be rendered "Master of masters." An illustration of this name as a claim upon man's obedience and service is found in Malachi 1:6: "A son honors his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith Jehovah of hosts" And in Job 28:28 it is declared that the fear of Adonai (the Lord, the Master) is wisdom. USE OF ADONAI The use of this name Adonai in the Old Testament plainly reveals the relationship which God sustains toward His creatures and what He expects of them. A glance at a good concordance will give all the instances in which the name occurs. Let us examine a few of them. The first occasion of its use, as with the name EL Shaddai - God Almighty, is with Abraham in Ge 15:2. In the first verse of this chapter it is written: "After these things"--i.e, after his rescue of Lot and his military achievement of the defeat of the four kings and their armies, where it is revealed that Abraham himself was lord or master (adon) of a large establishment--
Abram then makes his reply addressing God as Adonai-Jehovah--an acknowledgment that Jehovah is also Master. Certainly Abram understood what this relationship meant; perhaps better than we nowadays understand it, for those were days of slavery. Lordship meant complete possession on the one hand, and complete submission on the other. As already seen, Abraham himself sustained the relationship of master and lord over a very considerable number of souls; therefore in addressing Jehovah as Adonai he acknowledged God's complete possession of and perfect right to all that he was and had. MASTER-SERVANT RELATIONSHIP But even Abraham, thousands of years ago, understood by this more than mere ownership, more than the expression and imposition of an arbitrary or capricious will. Even in those days the relationship of master and slave was not altogether or necessarily an unmitigated evil. The purchased slave stood in a much nearer relationship to his lord than the hired servant. who was free to come and go as he might wish: In Israel, the hired servant who was a stranger might not eat of the Passover or the holy things of the master's house, but the purchased slave, as belonging to his master, and so a member of the family, possessed this privilege (Ex 12:43, 44, 45; Lev 22:10, 11). The slave had the right of the master's protection and help and direction. Nor was the relationship devoid of affection. In the absence of seed, a slave, Eliezer, is the heir to Abram's entire household. So the psalmist well puts it all when he says: "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God" (Ps 123:2). "The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou gives them their meat in due season" (Psalm 145:15). As Adonai, or Master or Lord, God says to Abraham: "Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward." He can depend upon the faithfulness of the Master. For if a human master can sustain relationships even of affection to a slave and be faithful in provision and protection, how much more the Jehovah-God who is Adonai also to His creatures. There are many examples of the use of this name which well illustrate this truth: MOSES Moses, when commissioned to go to Egypt to deliver Israel, addresses God as Adonai, acknowledging thus God's right to his life and service when he replies: "O my Lord" (that is, Adonai), "I am not eloquent… I am slow of speech" (Ex 4:10). And again he says after God's reply, "O my Lord [Adonai] send someone else." Then God's anger kindled against him, against a servant who seeks to evade his responsibility of carrying out the will of his rightful Lord. For God, who is never a capricious or unjust Master, does not ask what cannot he performed, and never requires a task for which He does not equip His servants. Thus He assures Moses that He will be his sufficiency for the task (Exodus 4:10). JOSHUA As the eye of a servant looks to the master, so Joshua, in defeat and distress, looks for direction to the Lord God who is his Adonai. When Gideon is called to deliver the children of Israel from the Midianites, he asks: "O my Lord [Adonai], wherewith shall I save Israel? Behold my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (Jdg 6:15-note). Then God gives answer: "Surely I will be with thee, and thou shaft smite the Midianites as one man." DAVID The name Adonai is found frequently on the lips of David, and in one especially significant passage in this connection (2Sa 7:18, 19, 20), it appears four times in three verses. To David, of humble origin, a shepherd lad, and now king of Israel, God comes and promises to establish his dynasty, his throne, forever. Overcome by this great promise, for he recognizes in it also the promise of Messiah who shall come from his loins, David, king and lord of God's people, calls God his Lord, coupling it with the name Jehovah, He acknowledges his humble origin, his own unworthiness, and the goodness and greatness of God the Adonai who has exalted him, and he says:
PSALMISTS The psalmists, too, make frequent use of the name in its proper significance. It is Jehovah, Adonai, whose name is so excellent in all the earth, who has put all things under His feet (Psalm 8:1). He is the Adonai of the whole earth (Psalm 97:5). The earth is bidden to tremble at the presence of the Adonai. its Lord (Psalm 114:7). Adonai is above all elohim or gods (Ps135:5). As Master or Lord, Adonai is besought to remember the reproach of His servant (Ps89:50). "My eyes are unto thee, O God, the Adonai" (Ps 141:8) says the psalmist as of a servant to his Lord. And he asks Adonai, his Master, to take up his cause and defend him against his enemies (Ps109:21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28). ISAIAH The use of this name by Isaiah the prophet is especially significant. It is the vision of God as Adonai which started him out on his prophetical career. One of the most stirring portions of Scripture describes this vision. It was a time of national darkness, for Uzziah, Judah's great king, had died. Uzziah was the prophet's king, therefore his lord and master, and perhaps his hero too, in spite of his tragic end. It is then that the young man experiences one of the most solemn and significant visions of Scripture. In the sixth chapter he tells us, "in the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord"-Adonai (Isa 6:1-note). His earthly lord and master had died, but what does that matter when the Lord of lords, the Adonai in the heavens, lives and reigns. This Adonai is seated upon a throne too, but high and lifted up, above all earthly lords and monarchs, for this Adonai is also Jehovah of hosts, whose train fills the Temple and whose glory covers the whole earth. This Adonai is surrounded by the fiery seraphim, who not only cover their eyes before their thrice holy Lord, but with their wings are ready instantly to do His bidding. Then after the prophet's confession and cleansing in preparation for his service, he hears a voice saying: "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" This call for service comes from Adonai, for this is the name used in verse 8. EZEKIEL In the prophecy of Ezekiel the name Adonai Jehovah occurs some 200 times. It has added significance here in that the name occurs in connection with prophecies not only concerning Israel but concerning the nations round about. It reveals that Adonai claims lordship not only over Israel but, whether they will or not, over all the peoples of the earth. It is, "Thus saith Jehovah who is Adonai," and again and again, "Ye shall know," and "They shall know that I am Adonai Jehovah" (Ezekiel 13:9; 23:49; 24:24; 28:24; 29:16). It is Adonai Jehovah who commands the four winds to breathe upon the dry bones and make them live (Ezekiel 37:9). DANIEL The use of this name is especially notable in Daniel 9 where it occurs 11 times in 9 verses (Da 9:3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 15,16, 17, 19). Daniel is living in the land of Israel's captivity, whose king is lord or adon over many nations; but only Jehovah is the Adonai of Daniel and his people. This is a chapter of confession of Israel's faithlessness as God's servant, hence Daniel addresses God as Adonai in his prayer for forgiveness and restoration of the people and Jerusalem. "O Adonai," he cries, "the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments" (Da 9:4, 5). Since it is God as Lord and Master whose will they have disobeyed, it is He to whom they must address their prayer for forgiveness, for acceptance, for restoration. Thus it is in Da 9:19,
SERVANTS OF So throughout the OT those who know God as Adonai acknowledge themselves as servants: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are thus spoken of (Ex 32:13). Over and over again we read, "Moses, my servant," and "Moses, the servant of the Lord." In the same significant passage in which he addresses God as Adonai, a number of times David the king speaks of himself as "thy servant." "I am thy servant; give me understanding," says the psalmist (Ps 119:125). The word translated servant is also slave. Thus prophets, priests, kings, all God's people acknowledged themselves His servants, recognizing His right to command and dispose of them according to His will as the Lord of their lives, it is this which is suggested by the name Lord or Adonai. ADONAI IN THE NEW TESTAMENT The meaning of Adonai as Lord and Master is carried over into the New Testament. Between two and three centuries before Christ the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek by a group of Jewish translators at Alexandria in Egypt. It is interesting to note that they translated the word Adonai in Genesis 15:2 as "Master." In the Greek it is "Despot." In the New Testament, too, it is the word used of men as lord and master in relationship to servants. It is used hundreds of times of the Lord Jesus Himself. We are said to be not our own; we have been bought with a price. We belong to God who is our Lord and Master. We are therefore bidden to glorify God in body and spirit, which are His (I Corinthians 6:19, 20). Many Scriptures set forth this relationship to God as His servants. We are exhorted to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, holy, and acceptable, and this as our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). We are to understand what is the will of the Lord--our Adonai (Ephesians 5:17). And Peter calls us children of obedience to Him who has called us (I Peter 1:14, 15); and He is the Master who has bought us (II Peter 2:1). A striking illustration of this is found in the life of the apostle Paul. He felt himself to be a zealous servant of the Lord God of his fathers even in his first opposition to and persecution of the Church, believing he was doing God great service. The first words that fall from his lips on his conversion are: "Lord [Master], what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). Like a good servant, lie tells its that when it pleased God to reveal His Son in him that he might preach Him among the nations, "immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood," but he went away in complete surrender to he alone with his Lord to prepare himself as quickly as possible to do His will (Gal 1:16, 17). He seems to take even a little pride in emphasizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ by calling himself His bondservant or slave. As such he bore in his body the marks of his Lord Jesus (Gal 6:17). "Christ Jesus, my Lord [my Master, my Adonai], counted me faithful, appointing me to his service" (1Ti 1:12). "1 count not my life dear to myself so that 1 may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:24). Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's (the Master's As in the Old Testament, so in the New, God as Lord is represented as the One who bestows gifts upon and equips His servants for their service. He made some apostles, others prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers--all for the accomplishment of His purpose and will in the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the Body of Christ (Ep 4:11, 12). Having these gifts from our Lord, Paul exhorts us, let us wait on them and minister them, as faithful servants, with diligence (Ro 12:6, 7, 8). God, as Lord, is said to protect, to provide for and sustain His servants. In the Old Testament, Adonai says to Abram, "I am thy shield." He is a rock, a fortress, a deliverer. Luke says of Paul, in great danger: "The Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer" (Acts 23:11). Again: "The Lord stood with me and strengthened me" (2Ti 4:17). The Lord delivers His servants from every evil (2Ti 4:18). The grace of the Lord is continually with His servants. It is the Lord who says to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee" (2Co 12:9). The Lord directs the service of His servants, opening doors (2Co 2:12), and closing them, too (Acts 16:6). We are exhorted to abound in the work of the Lord for such work is never in vain (1Co 15:58). God's requirements of service and usefulness are clearly set forth in the parables of the Lord Jesus, especially in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and the parable of the pounds (Lk 19:11-27). As Lord, He rewards the faithfulness of His servants and punishes their lack of it. The reward is far more than commensurate with the service rendered. In the parables, the reward is represented in terms of the material, but the real reward is in the realm of the spiritual, of which the material is only a feeble analogy. Even so, the greatness of our reward for faithfulness as servants lies in our increasing apprehension and possession of our Lord Himself. Adonai said to Abram, "I am thy exceeding great reward." Frequently in the Old Testament the Lord is said to be the inheritance, the portion and possession of His people (Nu 18:20; Ps 73:26; 16:5; Ezek. 44:27, 28). So Christ our Lord gave Himself for us and to us. If we are His, He n ours, and He is ours in proportion as we are His. Apart from this, however, there is a day of reckoning for His servants. In the Old Testament, Adonai renders to every man according to his work (Ps62:12). Every servant's work is to be made manifest. The test of fire will prove its worth. If it stands the test,: it will receive a reward, If not, it will be lost (1Corinthians 3:13, 14, 15). "To whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more" (Luke 12:48, ASV) 'It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1Co 4:2ASV). But since God is Lord of all men whether they acknowledge Him or not, there is a day of reckoning: for all men apart from His servants. Jeremiah calls it the day of Adonai, Jehovah of hosts (46:10). It is day of vengeance, for Adonai the Lord will demand a reckoning from all His creatures. But, thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ will be deliverance and sure in that day for all who have believed on and served Him. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, however, who, though He is our Lord and Master, is the supreme example of the true and faithful servant. He is the ideal servant. It is in Him we realize the full import and blessedness of the relationship that exists between ourselves and God as servant to a Lord. He is revealed in the Old Testament as the Servant. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him" (Isaiah 42:1). "He shall not fail" (v. 4). "I the Lord … will hold thine hand, and will keep thee (v. 6). So the New Testament tells us He took the form of a servant--the same word Paul uses of himself, a bondservant, a slave. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death (Philippians 2:7, 8). "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7). This is in fulfillment of Psalm 40:6-8 where He is spoken of as the slave whose ear is bored, because he loves his master and elects to serve him forever (Exodus 21:6). He said of Himself, "I do always those things that please him" (John 8:29). "Even Christ pleased not himself," says Paul (Ro 15:3). "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28). "I am among you as he that serveth" (Lk 22:27). As a servant He also suffered, being made perfect through sufferings (Heb 2:10). In that wonderful thirteenth chapter of John, He sets Himself forth as our Example as a servant. "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well, for so I am" (Jn 13:13). "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord (Jn 13:15, 16). He exhorted to faithful service to the end, and spoke of the blessedness of those servants whom the Lord when He comes will find faithful and watching (Lk 12:36, 37). To be servant of the Lord is the greatest liberty and joy of all. Man needs lordship. With faculties and judgments impaired, distorted by sin, original and personal, he needs direction, guidance, authority in this world. Man is born to worship and serve. If he does not serve God, then directly or indirectly he serves the Devil, the usurper of authority. But no man, as our Lord said, can serve two masters-that is, God and the Devil-at the same time. "Know ye not," says Paul, "that to Whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Ro 6:16). To be subject to Satan is to be abject. His lordship makes service servile. He has made service degraded and a badge of inferiority. Christ, our Lord, Himself the ideal servant, has invested service with dignity, nobility, liberty, joy. "For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman" (1Co 7:22). To be the servant of God is eternal life (Ro 6:22). And the faithful servant of the Lord will one day hear those joyful words from the lips of the Lord: "Well done, good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Names Of God Nathan Stone Books. 1944 Moody Publishers) |