YAHWEH – LORD

 

          The name YAHWEH occurs more than 6,800 times in the Old Testament.  It appears in every book but Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. 

 

            YAHWEH is the name of God most closely linked to God’s redeeming acts in the history of His chosen people. 

 

            When God told Moses to go to the Israelites and tell them their cries for the freedom from bondage had been heard, Moses asked God His Name…Who should he say had sent Him?  God told Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”, meaning the self-existing One, the Eternal One, had sent Moses to the Israelites.  And, God also said to Moses, “…The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob hath sent me unto you:…” (Ex. 3:15). 

 

            We see from this verse YAHWEH, is the Covenant God, the One from Whom  Moses’ descendants had received God’s Promise for a Deliverer. 

 

          Yahweh’ is the name of God most closely linked to God’s redeeming acts in the history of His chosen people. 

 

          [B] Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

 

          Yahweh is not a God Who is remote or aloof, but One Who is always near, intervening in history on behalf of His people.  Yahweh evokes images of God’s saving power in the lives of His people.

 

          In particular, for Moses and the Israelites, Yahweh means deliverance, freedom, promise, power and provider. 

                   Deliverance from bondage in Egypt.

                   Freedom to go back to the Promised land

                   Promise from the same covenant God of the forefathers

                   Power because God was their strength.  They crossed the parted waters of the Red Sea

                   Provider when God supplied manna in the wilderness.

 

          YAHWEH – LORD, is the God Who draws near to save you from the tyranny of sin, just as He saved His people from tyrannical slavery in Egypt.

Tyranny enslaves a person, it dictates to the mind where battles are waged, so often are waged today.

 

         

 

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What does that mean to US?

 

             In Proverbs 18:10 it reads: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous

                                                              runneth into it, and is safe.”

 

            In Isaiah 50:10 it reads:  Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and stay upon his God.”

 

APPLICATION: 

          Are we believers who are walking/living in darkness with no light?  Our remedy, our prescription: trust in the NAME of the LORD and remain there!  We have no need to walk as the lost do.  We have a strong tower, we have a God Who draws near to save us from the tyranny of sin - Yahweh.

 

            And, in Isaiah 12:1, 2 the Word tells us the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and song…my salvation.

 

            [B] Proverbs 16 – Please follow along as we go through this Proverb.  Each time we come across the name of the LORD, I’m going to substitute the meaning of God’s name here: the God Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin.  Perhaps as we go through the verses, the verses will take on a new and personal meaning for you of YAHWEH – LORD JEHOVAH – in a way that you’ve not realized before.  They did for me. 

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PROVERBS 16:

 

1.  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the” One

      Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin.

 

         Where is fear, where is the cross word, the bitterness, the fear of using, not using our mouths wisely, if we call on the LORD…He’s near to redeem us and keep us…the strong tower and we are safe in Him.  He will fill our mouths…we are to call on Him.

 

 

2.  “All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the” One Who draws near to

     redeem me from the tyranny of sin “weigheth the spirits.”

 

            Are we an impulsive nature; do we run ahead of the Lord; do we only see our own ways as THE only way???  We need to pray the LORD every day and sometimes maybe through the day, that He will draw near and keep our hearts aligned with His heart.

 

 

3.  “Commit they works unto the” One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin, “and thy thoughts shall be established.”

         

          With the Holy Spirit’s abiding and guidance, we can see ourselves from God’s perspective and not our own, if we are seriously seeking to walk in the light . 

 

 

SKIP TO verse:

 

5.  “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the” One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin: “though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.”

 

            Imagine the offense, the abomination to God when He is near and available, willing to keep us from sin’s control, in this case: pride – and we sin against Him out of our own pride. 

 

 

6.  “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by, the fear of the” One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin “men depart from evil.”

 

Ryrie’s note on this  verse:

            “Mercy is loyal love; truth, faithfulness; purged, atoned for.

            The atonement for man’s sin is the result of God’s loyal love and faithfulness.  The fear of the LORD (the One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin) motivates a man to turn away from sin when he is tempted.”

 

 

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7.  “When a man’s ways please the” One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin, “He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

 

            As Psalm 23 tells us, God prepares a table before us, in the presence of our enemies.

 

 

SKIP TO verse:

 

9.  “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the” One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin “directeth his steps.”

 

             Again, the Holy Spirit’s work…to direct us from falling if we draw near to the LORD.

 

 

SKIP TO verse:

 

20.  “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the” One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin, “happy is he.”

 

            In adverse trying situations and circumstances, if we call on the LORD, petitioning from Him His way of ‘handling a matter’, by His very name, He will draw near and give me His answer; an answer that will bring glory to Him and for me/for you and an answer that will make us happy.  We’ll have HIS peace and joy in the matter.

 

 

SKIP TO verse:

 

33.  “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the” One Who draws near to redeem me from the tyranny of sin.

 

            This verse reminds me of Romans 8:28.  All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

 

             We may make some decisions, sometimes good ones and sometimes mistakes, but God Who is Sovereign will use them in His Sovereign plan and design for our lives.  He is the One Who draws near to redeem me (and you) from the tyranny of sin. 

 

He is YAHWEH – LORD!

 

 

Prepared Devotional for Dorcas Missionary Circle

Corinth Baptist Church

Corinth, Maine

June, 2006

by Mercedes Whelan