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EL ELYON NOW
NAMES OF GOD
EL ELYON YAHWEH, ELOHIM, EL SHADDAI ELOAH
Why did God change His/Her name?
An exciting life changing extended Bible Study for the average Christian layperson and the professional clergyperson.
By David Paul Ebaugh EL ELYON, NOW
NAMES OF GOD
© 1996 By David Paul Ebaugh DAVID EBAUGH BIBLE SCHOOL 102 PARK TERRACE HARRISBURG, PA 17111
Thank you: Gene and Debbie Brooks for computer expertise and encouragement.
Clint and Joan Burdette for the first notice of the difference between “believer” and “receiver.”
Arthur Currens for massive computer input work.
My daughters Marcellene, Diane, and Rosie, and my wife Betty for text editing and proof reading.
Dan and Barbara George for the first notice of EL ELYON in the New Testament.
Tom and Mary Lee Mahon for title ideas and gentle promptings.
Rosalie Ebaugh Thompson for drawings. Many students around the nation will remember Rosie as the girl on the tricycle, in my lectures about maturity and changes in the law. Rosie grew up.
My many students, friends, and readers who sponsored and provided for this work while I was off the lecture circuit to write this book.
I believe the Holy Spirit made you do it because of your love for the Godhead, and your love for the truth, and your love for me.
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
Chapter 2. OLD TESTAMENT, NAMES OF GOD
Chapter 3. GOD CHANGED HIS NAME
Chapter 4. NEW TESTAMENT NAMES OF GOD
Chapter 5. AN ENDLESS LIFE
Chapter 6. GOD DEFINITION
Chapter 7. GOD TRANSLATION
Chapter 8. POWER IN THE NAME
Chapter 9. FIVE NAMES OF GOD IN THE CLOUDS
Chapter 10. YAHWEH, GOD OF ISRAEL
Chapter 11. YAHWEH, CONFOUNDING
Chapter 12. YAHWEH, UNCONFOUNDED
Chapter 13. YAHWEH MADE THE LAW
Chapter 14. YAHWEH FAMILY
Chapter 15. YAHWEH AND/OR EL ELYON
Chapter 16. EL SHADDAI
Chapter 17. EL SHADDAI, NEW TESTAMENT
Chapter 18. ELOHIM
Chapter 19. ELOAH
Chapter 20. EL SHADDAI - ISLAM - ALLAH
Chapter 21. EL ELYON
Chapter 22. EL ELYON, MOST HIGH GOD
Chapter 23. KNOWING FROM EL ELYON
Chapter 24. EL ELYON, MOST HIGH GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Chapter 25. EL ELYON, THEN AND NOW
Chapter 26. MELCHISEDEC ORDER
Chapter 27. JOB AND THE NAMES OF GOD
Chapter 28. AUTHORITY AND REFERENCES
Chapter 29. MANY OTHER NAMES OF GOD
WHAT IS THE NAME OF GOD?
JESUS CHRIST said the Name Of God is EL ELYON.
But the Jews of His time said, the Name Of God. was YAHWEH.
Whoever notices the difference between the “is” and the “was” has the answer to the conflict. The Bible records the conflict. This book attempts to study it. The discoveries are liberating.
JUSTICE and MERCY
JUSTICE comes from YAHWEH,
and
MERCY comes from EL ELYON.
YAHWEH, with the nature of
1) LAW, 2) JUDGMENT, 3) CONDEMNATION, 4) PUNISHMENT, and 5) DEATH,
brings JUSTICE to each situation. ===================================
EL ELYON, with the nature of
1) LOVE, 2) LIGHT, 3) FORGIVENESS, 4) FREEDOM, and 5) LIFE,
brings MERCY to each situation.
The majority of scriptures say YAHWEH brings justice. The majority of scriptures say EL ELYON brings mercy. No scriptures say that YAHWEH does not bring mercy. No scriptures say that EL ELYON does not bring justice. God can do anything He wants to do. God can be anything He wants to be.
YAHWEH or EL ELYON
JUSTICE or MERCY?
1) Law or Love?
2) Judgment or Light?
3) Condemnation or Forgiveness?
4) Punishment or Freedom?
5) Death or Life?
JUSTICE and MERCY are in conflict. Our lives prove it. We seem to never know if we should "lower the boom" on someone (put them under the law and then force JUSTICE on them) or if it would be better to just love them, forgive them, and grant them MERCY.
It has been said that JUSTICE and MERCY kissed in JESUS CHRIST.
Psalm 85:10, Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (KJV)
NO LAW FOR ABRAHAM Some Bible students have asked the question, “How did Abraham get away with treating Sarah like he did, when he gave her to the king of Egypt. He should have been stoned under the law.”
Why didn't God punish Abraham? Would you punish him? The moral of this story is applicable many times in our own lives as we try to decide if punishment is indicated, or not. Here is a quick review of the story.
Abraham told his wife, Sarah, to tell the King of Egypt that she was Abraham's sister, join his harem and go to bed with the King (to save Abraham's neck). Most people have wondered how Abraham could break Moses' law by treating his wife the miserable way that he did.
NO PUNISHMENT The shocking progression of events shows that God did not punish Abraham for giving his wife to the King. Many Christians believe that Abraham should have been punished.
THE REASON The reason that Abraham was not punished by God is that the law of YAHWEH was not given to the people of Israel until about 500 years later (through Moses). Much more about YAHWEH is in following chapters.
NO LAW -- NO SIN Where there is no law there is no sin.
Romans 5:13, For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (KJV)
Romans 4:15, Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (KJV)
Abraham only answered to the commands of EL SHADDAI, the name/nature of his understanding of God, at the time. EL SHADDAI gave commands to Abraham, but YAHWEH gave the law to Moses.
Romans 2:12, For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (KJV)
Romans 4:8, Blessed is the man to whom the LORD will not impute sin. (KJV)
Therefore, Abraham was counted sinless for his act because he did it about 500 years before there was any law that told him not to do it.
LAW OR LOVE? The name/nature of "YAHWEH" manifests Himself as a masculine law giver and punisher. YAHWEH is the God of the nation Israel. So, Israel has always been very occupied with the law. When trying to solve problems, all religions based on Judaism (such as Christianity) seem to lean more toward the law, rather than toward love. This thought is brought into sharp focus in the story of JESUS and the adulterous woman (John 8:3-11).
ADULTERY Let us try to examine a familiar story using the concepts of the Names of God. YAHWEH (Justice), i.e., the law, given by YAHWEH through Moses, demanded that the adulterous woman be stoned. She was caught in the very act. She was guilty. All the Jews knew that YAHWEH (Justice) demanded corporal punishment. They were willing and ready to execute her. They wanted justice. They demanded: LAW, JUDGMENT, CONDEMNATION, PUNISHMENT, and DEATH.
The Jews (Israelites) were truly trying to serve their concept of God, "YAHWEH." They were willing to punish her by stoning her.
TREATMENT OF ADULTERY EL ELYON (the Most High God) told His son, JESUS, to bring no condemnation. JESUS gave her mercy. She walked out of a very bad situation with: LOVE, LIGHT, FORGIVENESS, FREEDOM, and LIFE. John 8:3-11, And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, LORD. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (KJV)
Repeat: Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Yes, there was a great conflict. Yes, there is still a great conflict! We still deal with conflict in our own daily lives. The conflict ends when we shift our priorities and realign them in the same order that JESUS placed His.
Almost every person has tried to reconcile the God of love, mercy, forgiveness, and peace with the God who hardens hearts, punishes, wounds, and kills whole nations. Perhaps this study on the different Names of God is helping.
DIFFERENT AS NIGHT AND DAY It is very obvious that their concept of God and JESUS' concept of God were as different as night and day. In contrast, the Father of JESUS CHRIST was EL ELYON (the Most High God) not YAHWEH, the name/nature of God who gave the law to Moses. Much more on EL ELYON is in the following chapters. Consequently, JESUS treated the woman a lot differently than the religious Jews treated her.
WHAT’S BEST? Our study of the different Names of God will help us to know when it is right to apply the law nature (YAHWEH) and when it is best to apply the love nature (EL ELYON) and what the difference is.
FORGIVE OR APPROVE? No condemnation does not mean approval. The Bible word “forgive” means to “let it go.” I know of some people who erroneously conclude that the refusal of JESUS to condemn the woman meant that He approved of her sinful adultery. JESUS never approved of what she did. JESUS CHRIST gave her the power to avoid sin in the future. He sent her away with the command, "Go and sin no more." JESUS “let her go," which is the same thing as to forgive.
Church boards have been known to excommunicate a sinful church member because the board thought that any other punishment would imply that the board approved of the sin. They feared that other members would accuse them, like the scribes and Pharisees accused JESUS.
That ungrateful attitude on the part of the church board members is responsible for driving some people away from church. It takes a strong board member to forgive rather than condemn.
LET IT GO It is unreasonable to try to force Bible laws and ethics upon any part of society that is unsaved. Further, it is also unreasonable to try to force Bible laws upon regular church people who have not applied themselves to learn the laws of God.
When foreign missionaries decide to not bring condemnation upon a new convert who has 5 wives, it does not indicate that they approve of his polygamy. It means that they decide to “let it go” (forgive the offense).
Tragically, recently, a foreign missions board ordered a new convert to divorce 4 of his 5 wives. That resulted in 4 more women who turned to prostitution because it was the only way that they could provide for themselves and their children. It would have been so very much better if the mission board would have “let it go.” Sometimes it is better to let the problem go and not address it rather than to try to attack and lick the problem. Remember, all the king’s horses, and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty together again. Sometimes -- “let it go.”
LIFE OR DEATH?
he astute Bible Student can see that the Bible teaches that those people who serve the name/nature of YAHWEH (the God of Israel) nearly always end up with death. Contradistinctively, those people who serve the name/nature of EL ELYON nearly always end up with life.
If we want to overcome the last enemy, which is death, (1 Cor. 15:26) we must learn to pattern our own lives after the name/nature of EL ELYON.
1 Corinthians 15:26, The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (KJV)
CHURCH OF THE PAST
hese are some of the reasons that the church of the past favored using the law of YAHWEH to punish people and to use the fear of punishment to keep them in line. The church of the past has acted like scribes and Pharisees. CHURCH OF THE PRESENT Conversely, many churches of the present and in the future will turn more to EL ELYON and grant mercy to all the situations they can. Soon, the church will act like JESUS did.
JESUS AND THE NAME JESUS must have thought that the Name Of God was very important. You probably remember what He said in these familiar passages:
Hallowed be thy Name. (Matthew 6:9)
I have manifested thy Name. (John 17:6)
I have declared unto them thy Name. (John 17:26)
I will declare thy Name. (John 17:26, Psalm 22:22)
THE GODHEAD by David Paul Ebaugh
While I look at the GODHEAD
I stand in awe of every splendored portion.
Within the intense glory nothing can be distinguished.
Every section is equally brilliant.
Within the resplendent light I am oblivious.
A burst of increasing scintillation projects light on light.
Somehow I notice and respond to the ever increasing illumination,
I am in love.
FIVE PRIMARY Names of God Here are 5 different Hebrew (transliterated) words that appear in our Old Testament as one word or thought -- "God."
EL ELYON
YAHWEH, ELOHIM, EL SHADDAI
ELOAH
1. EL ELYON is the name of the nature of God that is the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth, androgynous gender. The Father of JESUS CHRIST. God of the nations.
2. YAHWEH is the name of the nature of God that gives law, leads to victory, judges, punishes, wounds, heals, and delivers. Masculine gender. The God of Israel.
3. ELOHIM is the name of the nature of God that creates. Androgynous gender.
4. EL SHADDAI is the name of the nature of God that loves, nourishes, and provides. Feminine usage.
ONE GOD These are five primary names of five natures of our one God.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (KJV)
These are not complete descriptions of our one God because it takes the whole Bible, and that has not been really sufficient either. At least, the primary names do provide an orderly start so that we can try to understand the Bible and understand our God. Many other Names of God (72!) that are in the Bible are mentioned in later chapters of this book, but these are the main ones to study for the present.
TRANSLITERATED We mentioned that the Hebrew words were transliterated. That means to represent or spell words, letters or characters of one language (Hebrew in this case) in the words, letters, or characters of another language or alphabet (English in this case).
Language experts are never completely satisfied with any transliteration attempts. But, most agree that transliteration is better than nothing. Since the Hebrew language is all Greek to me, (that's a joke, son) I praise our God for anything that makes Bible study easier and/or more accurate. That includes transliteration.
MANY OTHER NAMES We will now look at a few of the very many other Hebrew names that the Old Testament uses for God.
EL EL is used both in the singular and plural, and used chiefly in poetry and prophetic discourse. The word EL does not follow a general pattern like the other words for God do. The usage of EL seems to be generalized so that it can include any of the ideas from any of the other names. Since EL at times seems to include the other names, I have decided to not include EL in the list of primary names.
We might properly think of the name of EL as any name and/or every name. Also, EL seems to be an abbreviation, at times.
Here are EIGHT ways that the Bible uses EL, that should be mentioned here, in passing:
EL ELYON -- Most High God
EL SHADDAI -- God Almighty
EL OLAM -- Everlasting God
EL HAI -- Living God
EL ROI -- God of Seeing
EL ELOHE ISRAEL -- God, The God of Israel
EL GIBBOR -- Herd God
EL BRIT -- God of the Covenant
ADONAI ADONAI is translated into the word LORD. ADONAI also appears as a name for the word "God."
But, ADONAI was also used by the Masoretic scribes as a substitute word for YAHWEH, for their own reasons, some of which we will study later. Thus, the Masoretic scribes erroneously (but purposefully) corrupted the transmitted texts by changing YAHWEH into ADONAI as they hand copied the texts. Centuries later the English translators erroneously (but not on purpose like the Masorites) translated ADONAI into Lord, rather than God.
The simple form of ADON occurs with and without the article. It also occurs as a divine name, ADONI and ADONAI. CONFOUNDED CORRUPTION The Hebrew Names of God were not copied consistently by the ancient scribes. As a result, they were sometimes confounded as they were translated into English. A sad example of this confounding is demonstrated in many of the Bible passages that appear before Ex. 6:2-3. The name YAHWEH erroneously appears in a number of verses in Genesis, (in the transmitted text) but the text in Ex. 6:2-3 says that it is impossible for YAHWEH to appear in the Bible before Exodus chapter 6.
Exodus 6:2-3, And ELOHIM (God) spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YAHWEH (the LORD): 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAI (God Almighty), but by my name YAHWEH (JEHOVAH) was I not known to them. (KJV)
Scholars give us the answer to the conflict when they tell us that the sacred transmitted texts were purposefully corrupted by the ancient scribes, as the Bible was hand copied from generation to generation. The Jewish scribes purposefully substituted the Name of God that their (denominational) superiors commanded. A few modern Bible scholars have spent their whole lives in the attempt to right that wrong by restoring the Names of God as they appeared in the original texts, and/or to identify the corrupted verses. Some have even gone so far as to identify when they thought the corruption occurred, and by which group of Priests or Rabbis.
ADONAI also means lord, as in the case of a boss of a field, or a manor, or a work crew, and it is also translated that way.
ADONAI is not listed here with the five primary Names of God because ADONAI was purposefully corrupted by the Masoretic scribes by substituting it for YAHWEH whenever they came across that word (but there were exceptions wherein they didn’t substitute, which we will study in detail later). As a result, the pattern of the use of ADONAI is not consistent throughout our English language Bible.
It is probably one of the most confounded, and most confusing, and most upsetting studies with which advanced Bible students have had to deal.
BAAL BAAL is apparently used as an equivalent for YAHWEH. It also appears as an element in a number of compound proper names, such as: Jerubbaal, Meribbaal, Ishbaal, etc. BAAL is also the name of a Canaanite Deity having nothing to do with our God. In the majority of cases BAAL has an evil connotation. I have not listed BAAL with the primary five because BAAL is an equivalent name.
ZEBAOT ZEBAOT means armies or hosts of men and/or angels. The names YAHWEH and ELOHIM frequently occur with the word ZEBAOT. YAHWEH ZEBAOT means the God YAHWEH of the armies of Israel. YHWH ELOHE ZEBAOT means, YAHWEH God of Hosts. ZEBAOT does not appear at all in the Pentateuch, Joshua or Judges.
The singular ZABA means heavenly host.
Some authorities call ZEBAOT a Name of God, others disagree, considering it a common name.
YHWH ZEBAOT is associated with the Ark, which was the symbol of God’s presence in the midst of the hosts of His people. Later in prophetic passages YHWH ZEBAOT was transferred to the heavenly hosts. The heavenly hosts were added to the earthly hosts.
I have elected to not include ZEBAOT in the list of primary Names of God because whatever is said about YAHWEH or ELOHIM can be said to include the idea of Hosts of Israel or Heavenly Host, that is, ZEBAOT.
EHYEH-ASHER-EHYEH EHYEH is part of the word YAHWEH. EHYEH-ASHER-EHYEH was translated "I am that I am" in the KJV. EHYEH-ASHER-EHYEH means God's potency in the immediate future, according to some authors. Some say that it says, "I will be, because I will be." Others say that it means, "I am whatever I want to be." Whatever is said about YAHWEH is true about EHYEH-ASHER-EHYEH. That is why I have decided to not list EHYEH-ASHER-EHYEH with the primary Names of God.
YAH The name YAH is composed of the first letters of YAHWEH. It is part of the expression "Hallelujah." Hallelujah probably means "Praise ye YAH." It is an abbreviation for YAHWEH. That is why YAH is not listed in the primary Names of God.
A LOT MORE Names of God Chapter 29 gives a pretty complete listing of 72 other names and other titles of God. Chapter 28 gives references and authority. Check them out.
NEW NAMES Under the listing Names of God, the JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA relates the following astonishing facts. "Like other Hebrew proper names, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title. It represents the Hebrew conception of the divine nature or character and of the relation of God to His people. It represents the Deity to His worshipers, and stands for all those attributes which He bears in relation to them, and which are revealed to them through His activity on their behalf. A new manifestation of His interest or care may give rise to a NEW name. So, also, an old name may acquire new concept and significance through new and varied experience of these sacred relations." (Emphasis by D.E.)
Personally, I am thrilled to find that statement in Jewish literature. I wish that every Christian and Jew could read it and understand it.
One obvious example of that quote from the JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA is in Exodus 6:2-3.
Exodus 6:2-3, And ELOHIM (God) spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YAHWEH (the LORD): 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAI (God Almighty), but by my name YAHWEH (JEHOVAH) was I not known to them. (KJV)
More on JEHOVAH in YAHWEH, CONFOUND-ING. Chapter 11.
In other words, God changed His name. He said, “I used to go by the name of EL SHADDAI, (God Almighty) but now Moses, to you, my new name will be YAHWEH.” The early patriarchs did not know YAHWEH, the God of Israel. They used to know God as EL SHADDAI (God Almighty).
In Exodus 6:2-3, we find three names/natures of God: 1. ELOHIM, 2. EL SHADDAI, 3. YAHWEH.
Did you notice that three different Hebrew words were used for God? But the three were translated into FOUR different English words. 1. God, 2. the LORD, 3. God Almighty, and 4. Jehovah.
They all mean the same thing -- "God." To make matters worse, one Hebrew word, "YAHWEH," was translated into two different English words, "the LORD" and also into "JEHOVAH," in the same passage.
No wonder there is very little agreement among Christians, or among Jews, or between Christians and Jews, as to what God is like! There are as many different definitions of "God" as there are readers of this book. No one agrees completely.
GOD CHANGED HIS NAME We also find that God did not appear with the same name to everyone. God appeared to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAI, the provider God. (Ex. 6:2-3) But, about 500 years later, when He appeared to Moses (Ex. 6:2-3), God changed His name to YAHWEH (the God of Israel).
With that information, we can begin to see some reasons for the differences between Abraham, Moses, David, and JESUS. We see that they each knew God by a different name/nature. They all loved God. But they did not act the same way because they served different name/natures of the same God.
When we want to know what God is like, we must also define the time period about which we are thinking. We must ask, "Who's doing the talking, and when? What name did he use?" We will follow the word "name" with the descriptive word "nature" to keep reminding ourselves that the two words are very close to meaning the same thing.
Perhaps it might be good to read Ex. 6:2-3 in context in order to gain more insight into the whole subject of the Names of God.
Exodus 6:1-8, Then YAHWEH (the LORD) said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. 2 And ELOHIM (God) spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YAHWEH (the LORD): 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAI (God Almighty), but by my name YAHWEH (JEHOVAH) was I not known to them. 4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am YAHWEH (the LORD), and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a ELOHIM (Creator God): and ye shall know that I am YAHWEH (the LORD) your ELOHIM (Creator God), which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.(KJV)
Only a few months before this passage in Exodus, when God changed His name/nature (Ex. 6:1-8), the people of Israel had never heard of using the name "YAHWEH" for God. They all knew God by the name/nature of "EL SHADDAI," the God of provision. "EL SHADDAI" was the name of God that they used for the preceding 450 years, some of which were while they were slaves in Egypt.
When Israel came out of Egypt, then God reintroduced Himself/Herself with a new name/nature YAHWEH. Personal pronouns, when relating to our God, probably should be androgynous, i.e., Himself/Herself, especially in a story like this where YAHWEH and EL SHADDAI interact. More about the gender of the various names/natures of God is in later chapters. When they left Egypt, the nation of Israel needed a masculine name/nature of the God of war, hosts, armies, and victory. That's what YAHWEH is. They needed that more than they needed a feminine name/nature of the God of provision. That's what EL SHADDAI is.
From the time of Abraham's wanderings in the desert, through the time of Israel's slavery in Egypt, Israel only knew God as EL SHADDAI. So, God changed His/Her name/nature when the times changed from slavery in Egypt to entering and possessing Canaan's fair land.
God changed His name from EL SHADDAI to YAHWEH.
Exodus 6:2-3, And ELOHIM (God) spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YAHWAH (the LORD): 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of EL SHADDAI (God Almighty), but by my name YAHWEH (JEHOVAH) was I not known to them. (KJV)
God changed His name/nature from EL SHADDAI to YAHWEH. We plan to go into great detail about that name change in the following chapters.
GOD DOESN’T CHANGE BUT HIS METHODS DO You may have already guessed that God changed His name/nature many more times than just Ex. 6:2-3.
Our God did not change Himself. He really hasn't changed a bit. God changed His method of dealing with us, as we matured through the centuries.
Here is a little tip. Keep a watchful eye, looking for the following parallel thoughts. As we study the history of our God's interest and care in dealing with His people, we will notice that there is a parallel between the raising of a child from infancy to adulthood (a period of about 20 years) and the development of the nation of Israel from Abraham to Christ (a period of about 2000 years). In other words, A child's god (little "g") changes from Mama, to Mom, to Mother, to Dad, to Pop, to Father, as the child matures. The nation of Israel followed the same basic pattern of name changes of their heavenly parents. At first the name/nature of God was the feminine EL SHADDAI (Mother).
Later, Israel changed to a name/nature of God as the masculine YAHWEH (Father). Watch for those parallel thoughts because they will reinforce each other and make it easier to understand why and how our God changed His/Her methods of dealing with us as we matured.
CHANGE YOUR NAME? Has anyone that you know ever changed their name like God did? Yes! About half of your friends have changed their names. Ladies change their last name, on the day they enter into a new relationship, which changes their whole way of life. They change their name on the day they get married. The idea of changing your name, when you change your nature is not new at all. It's a wonder that the idea of a name change is so new when applied to God.
A NEW NAME Isaiah 62:2, And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of YAHWEH (the LORD) shall name. (KJV) Revelation 2:17, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (KJV)
Revelation 3:12, Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (KJV)
“A new manifestation of His interest or care may give rise to a new name.” Quote from the JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA.
For instance, as slaves in Egypt, Israel needed to know the name/nature of EL SHADDAI (provider). But 500 years later, a newly trained army of Israelites (not slaves anymore) under Moses needed a new manifestation of a new name/nature of God, i.e., YAHWEH (leads to victory).
FATHER, SON, HOLY GHOST
Most everyone has learned to separate the three names/natures of God in the New Testament: 1. God the Father, 2. God the Son, JESUS, and 3. God the Holy Spirit (Ghost).
Christians agree that the three names do refer to three different natures of the one and the same God. This concept is given the extra Biblical title, "The Trinity."
We don't see any reason for thinking that there should be much trouble expanding our thinking from three names natures in the New Testament to five in the Old.
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY NAMES? This is a Christian oriented study about the Names of God. Naturally there will be many references to JESUS CHRIST and also to the Holy Spirit as part of the Christian Trinity. Our main emphasis will be to find the answer to the question, "Why did the Holy Spirit dictate so many different names for the one true God?" And/or, "What did the Hebrew writer have in his own mind when he chose one of the 72 (or more) different ways to express the idea of God?"
MORE NAMES You may have already guessed, judging from the thickness of this book, that we will observe many more times, than just Ex. 6:2-3, when our God changed His name/nature. In another sense, our God did not change Himself. He really hasn't changed a bit. It is His method of dealing with us, that changes as we mature.
NAMES ARE CAPITALIZED When the New Testament uses words like "Highest" or "Most High" it is referring to the Old Testament Name of God, "EL ELYON."
Here is an example: Luke 1:32, He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: (KJV)
Note that often the words High and/or Highest are capitalized in the N.T. because they are proper names.
“Most High” and “Highest” are N.T. equivalents to “EL ELYON” in the O.T. So the scripture makes more sense to a Bible student when it is printed like this: Luke 1:32, He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of EL ELYON (the Highest): (KJV)
FAMILY OF GOD IN HEAVEN Ephesians 3:14-15, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (KJV) Did that scripture say God has a family in heaven? It looks like it did; and a family has several different members; doesn't it? Father? Mother? Son? Daughter?
GODHEAD Colossians 2:9-10, For in him (JESUS CHRIST) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV)
To understand the Godhead, one must attempt to understand JESUS CHRIST.
The name JESUS means "SAVIOR," and that means to deliver from sin and death. The word CHRIST means anointing, and that means the power and/or the life giving force that will accomplish that job.
The word “CHRIST” is not the last name of JESUS. It is His Title.
There are many references to performing an (often miraculous) act in the "name of JESUS."
For example, Acts 3:6, Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (KJV)
That means that all of the fullness of the Godhead (all 72 names/natures) is brought into play when the name of JESUS CHRIST is properly used. All of the 72 (or more) Names of God are summed up in JESUS CHRIST, because JESUS CHRIST is the “fullness of the Godhead bodily."
GODHEAD, PLURAL OR SINGULAR? Remember: Colossians 2:9, For in him (CHRIST) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (KJV)
The words "fullness of the Godhead” cause us to notice a definite idea of plurality. We know that there is only one God, but, the Bible concordance indicates that there may be a conflict about one or many Gods.
JAMES STRONG wrote STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE that has become the recognized authority of Bible words to all the English speaking people of the world. STRONG wrote: "Godhead, 2320, Greek THEOTES, pronounced Theh-ot-ace, from 2306, divinity, godhead. This is a plural form of 2316. God, 2316, Greek THEOS, pronounced theh-os, a deity, especially the supreme Divinity, at times a magistrate."
The word "Godhead" is a plural form of the word "God." But, we are Monotheistic (meaning belief in one God) not Polytheistic (meaning belief in more than one God). How can this be?
Most all Christians and Jews recognize:
Deuteronomy 6:4, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (KJV)
Monotheism is such a well-established fact that we need spend little time on it here. But the Bible uses words that confuse the issue by adding polytheistic (several Gods) ideas, like the word "Godhead."
We do not expect the writings of ancient Jewish Rabbis or Cabalists to embrace these present teachings on the Names of God.
In fact, we expect them (along with some other Christian groups) to deny these scholarly facts as evidenced by the section in the JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA, NAMES OF GOD, volum |
