reputation

God’s Name

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You’ll come across it all the time in the Bible: God’s name. You’ll see it in so many forms. He’s called Yahweh, I am that I am (or “I will be who/what I will be” depending on translation), El Shaddai, the Elohim, El Roi, Lord of hosts/armies, and sometimes simply The Name.

Why is God’s name so important that it’s brought up repeatedly? First, the Hebrews were surrounded by nations who had their own “gods,” and they wanted to make sure to differentiate their One True God from all the others. Back in the Old Testament, when God “left” the other nations to the “foreign gods” after they abandoned Him at the tower of Babel, the Hebrews were brought out from this confusion to start over with God as the light for all. He’d always intended to save us all, and to do that, we needed to know who He is.

There is power in a name. It signifies an identity, of course, but also the characteristics and reputation of that identity. God is not like the other “gods,” who were like fallen humans with some magic capabilities or like distant stars that left people to their destinies with little care.

We learn His characteristics:

He’s holy.

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. – Matthew 6:9

He’s a place of refuge.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. – Proverbs 18:10

He is salvation.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12

He was the same God of all the righteous people He’d called on before. He is the uncreated creator.

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who (that) I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people 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 thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. – Exodus 3:13-15

He existed first and will always exist.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” – Revelation 1:8

He is our Father and comforter.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” – Romans 8:15

He is the only way, truth, and life.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:6

He is our healer.

Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” – Exodus 15:6

He has the ultimate power and knowledge above all others.

Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! – Proverbs 30:4

He is jealous as He’s the One who created, loves, and guides you. Why would you follow another?

…for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God – Exodus 34:14

He is very serious about His reputation as it’s how His people will know Him. He is all the above characteristics and more.

“Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.” – Jeremiah 16:21

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, – Matthew 28:19

Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.” – Isaiah 52:6

You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. – Leviticus 19:12

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. – Exodus 20:7

Just skimming the Bible, you’ll find that names were important to God and the Hebrews for signifying the essence of a being, including humans. Names were changed when the person made a change in their identity. They were usually assigned a name change by God Himself.

Abram (high father) became Abraham (father of a multitude) when he was promised descendants as numerous as the sands and stars. Sarai (princess) became Sarah (mother of nations) as she would be the mother of the multitude. Jacob (supplanter) became Israel (to strive with) when God told him he’d no longer be known by his trickery but rather by his striving with God. Simon (God has heard) became Peter (rock) when he became a disciple and Jesus declared he would be the rock of His church.

What is the meaning of your name, and what do you believe God would call you? Have you experienced a deep change in identity like those in the Bible?

So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. – Psalms 61:8

Sources outside of the Bible:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-it-matters-that-god-is-yahweh.html
https://thebibleproject.com/podcast/theme-god-e10-gods-name-character/
https://thebibleproject.com/podcast/theme-god-e13-what-gods-name-feat-dr-michael-heiser/
https://drmsh.com/the-naked-bible/yhwh/

Commandment Series: The Third

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“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” OR

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

What is in a name? Interestingly, the power of a name is expressed many times in the Bible. It represents the character, faith, and identity of the person to whom it is given. There are many instances when people were given new names by God as their purpose in life changed.

Abram (father) was changed to Abraham (father of many) because he was promised to be the father of many nations as innumerable as the stars. Sarai (quarrelsome) was changed to Sarah (princess) as she was to be the matriarch of many nations. Jacob’s name (supplanter) was changed to Israel (may God prevail) because he struggled with God yet was meant for something great. Simon (snub-nosed) had his name changed to Peter (rock) as Jesus declared he would be the “rock” or foundation upon which He would built His church.

However, there is One who named Himself.

“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?’ 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.'” Exodus 3:13-14

Sometimes this is translated as I AM THAT I AM, but the idea is the same. He is because He is. He created Himself and gave Himself a name. He continues.

“And God furthermore said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, “YHWH, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob has sent me unto you. This is my name forever, and this is my memorial-name to all generations.'” Exodus 3:15

Moses was told a name he could speak to the Israelites (I AM) but then was given a name he possibly could not (YHWH) as it was the true, unpronounceable name. Now, many have tried, using these consonants as a guess, but that’s all it is. A guess. The vowel sounds are uncertain… if God even needed vowels to pronounce it. Everyone else’s name means something. What does God’s name mean? Possibly “I AM THAT I AM” is the meaning. His name indicates the source of all meaning.

There are many interpretations of what the 3rd commandment was forbidding. The most popular one is to not use God’s name while cursing.

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” Matthew 5:33-37

I’ve read that it warns against swearing oaths in God’s name or saying you are a follower while not having God in your heart or actions. I’ve even seen a thorough article stating it’s about committing evil in the name of God.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

“Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” Matthew 7:15-23

You shall know the children of God by their fruits. Beware false Christians who lead many astray.

So, the 3rd commandment says that can not take the name of God in vain. The word translated to “vain” is the Hebrew “Shav,” which can mean false, evil, useless, destructive or morally ruinous.

So, I believe all of the above theories are correct. In the end, they can all be summed up pretty well. Honor God with your words, actions, heart, or you’re not representing Him correctly. In fact, you may be leading innumerable people astray even unintentionally.

If our names, as humans, have power to carry our reputation, character, and identity, how much more God’s? As Christians, we are meant to be children of God, and as we go about our lives, we are to strive to live as Jesus. As we do so, our actions will shed light on the truth, a light that the lost can use to find their way to God’s loving arms.

We have great power as children of God, and as Spider-man says, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Honor God and His name.

Sources other than Bible: Strong’s Concordance, Searchingthescriptures.net