Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Redemptive Names of God

A while back I was sitting in a Bible study class when the discussion briefly took a turn to the topic of the names of God.  I found it interesting and, following the class, did some research on the Internet on the subject.   Here's what I found -- [source]

The Seven Redemptive Names of God

In his redemptive relation to man, Jehovah has seven compound names which reveal Him as meeting every need of man from his lost state to the end. These compound names are: 

Jehovah-Jireh
"the Lord will provide" (Genesis 22:13,14).
i.e., will provide a sacrifice.
Jehovah-Rapha
"the Lord that healeth" (Exodus 15:26).
That this refers to physical healing the context shows, but the deeper healing of soul malady is implied.
Jehovah-Nissi
"the Lord our banner" (Exodus 17:8-15).
The name is interpreted by the context. The enemy was Amalek, a type of the flesh, and the conflict that day stands for the conflict of (Galatians 5:17) the war of the Spirit against the flesh. Victory was wholly due to divine help.
Jehovah-Shalom
"the Lord our peace," or "the Lord send peace" (Judges 6:24).
Almost the whole ministry of Jehovah finds expression and illustration in that chapter. Jehovah hates and judges sin (Genesis 2:1-5). Jehovah loves and saves sinners (Genesis 2:7-18) but only through sacrifice (Genesis 2:19-21). See also: Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20.
Jehovah-Ra-ah
"the Lord my shepherd" (Psalm 23.).
In Psalm 22, Jehovah makes peace by the blood of the cross; in Psalm 23, Jehovah is shepherding His own who are in the world.
Jehovah-Tsidkenu
"the Lord our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6).
This name of Jehovah occurs in a prophecy concerning the future restoration and conversion of Israel. Then Israel will hail him as Jehovah-Tsidkenu—"the Lord our righteousness."
Jehovah-Shammah
"the Lord is present" (Ezekiel 48:35).
This name signifies Jehovah’s abiding presence with His people (Exodus 33:14,15; 1 Chronicles 16:27,33; Psalm 16:11, 97:5; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).
Taken from the 1917 Scofield Reference Bible Notes
"Redemption" ... a word one hears often within the realm of Christianity, such as Christ the Redeemer, for example.  The definition of "redeem" is enlightening (from Merriam-Webster):
1 a : to buy back : repurchase b : to get or win back 
2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a : to free from captivity by payment of ransom b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c : to release from blame or debt : clear d : to free from the consequences of sin 
3: to change for the better : reform
 
5 a : to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1) : to remove the obligation of by payment redeems savings bonds on demand> (2) : to exchange for something of value <redeem trading stamps> c : to make good : fulfill
6a : to atone for : expiate <redeem an error> b (1) : to offset the bad effect of (2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve

So, Jesus our Redeemer retrieves us, reforms us, frees us from distress, buys us back, repays, restores, removes us, extricates us, pays our ransom.  What beautiful word ... what a beautiful Redeemer. An old hymn comes to mind ... the classic by Samuel Medley -- "I Know That My Redeemer Lives":

Christ the Redeemer by Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506)
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.

...
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

...
He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.


He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

...

[source]

1 comment:

  1. Why is it that when we us the names of God that we us the made up name Jehovah to mean God or LORD? The Jewish people never would have said hi name. They shortend it to YHVH so that no one would us it in vain, and no one knows what vowles were removed.They us the name HaShem meaning the name, or Adonai not Jehovha so how would you like it if someone always called you by the wrong name? Don't we owe God a little more respect to use His right names instead of making up our owen names for him as we have done for centuries.There is also the W that is being placed into the name Jehowah by some when there is no W sound in the Hebrew language, and also the J that was not in the English language when the Bible was translated.

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