The Bible is a Progressive Revelation.
Over 6000 Years ago, when the creation began, the first name we find in the Bible concerning God is, Elohim, “In the beginning God = (Elohim)—.”
In Genesis 1, we equated the Hebrew Elohim with the Triune Godhead; Triune pointing to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The creation was not without witnesses, for there were three.
Acts 14:17, “He left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
Elohim in the Hebrew is a plural word. It has to be plural in order to acknowledge all three Persons of the Godhead. Now from Genesis 1:2 and forward, we find the three-letter word, “God” singular.
God meaning the Creator, the Almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, pure and perfect being, who preserves and governs all things. The self-existent, unoriginated, independent, and eternal Jehovah, who has produced all things.
Revelation 1:8, Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, — which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” He is the pure and perfect Spirit, he is known and clearly distinguished by the vast and stupendous works which he has made.
In Genesis 2:4 we come to a different name for Deity. It’s no longer “God” alone, but now, the “LORD God.” Note the word “LORD” is in upper case.
All through chapter 1 He is called, “God,” but now in Genesis 2, He is called the “LORD God.” And, who is this LORD God? He is Jehovah, the Son of the Father in heaven, better known to us as Jesus.
These titles do serve a purpose; for God knew there would one day have to be a plan of redemption. He saw the foolishness of this people coming well before that day. He would not only need a plan of redemption, but also someone that could communicate with His created beings. So, what did the LORD God do? He came down from His throne in heaven to dwell among men.
1 Timothy 3:16, K.J.B. “God (Jehovah) was manifest (appeared or showed himself openly) in the flesh.”
Philippians 2:7, He Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant; and was made in the likeness of men.”
Matthew 1:23, “And they (the Jews) shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.”
John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” With verse 14, “And the Word was made flesh…”
The above verses point to the Jesus Christ, who would put into action His plan of redemption.
In Genesis 12, about the year 1900 B.C. Jehovah is seen intrinsically as the God of Abraham. He will deal specifically with the nation of Israel and its people. So, when the Bible reads, “the God of Abraham,” and “the God of Isaac,” it’s referring to Jehovah!
Always keep in mind, LORD and Jehovah are always synonymous. Throughout the Scripture we find that Jehovah is the God of all. Abraham was born a gentile, and in Genesis 14:18, this gentile addresses God as the Most-high God. So, whenever you see the Hebrew term “the Most-high God,” it is making the point that God is, “the God of all Gentiles.”
Moving forward in Genesis, we find Jehovah becomes everything the nation of Israel could ever hope for in both their spiritual and physical needs.
Genesis 22:14: takes place about the year 1850 B.C. As time passed, we find Abraham is well acquainted with Jehovah; but now, Jehovah has added another title behind his name; Jehovah-Jireh. We have not seen this name until now. It means, “the LORD will provide.”
The LORD provided the sacrifice when He spared Isaac, Abraham’s son. You know the story how God held back Abraham’s hand and kept him from sacrificing Isaac. Question, what did Abraham see in the thicket when he turned around? … a ram caught by the horns in a thicket! So, Abraham called Him, Jehovah-Jireh because Jehovah provided the sacrifice.
About the year 1320 B.C., Israel comes out of Egypt under Moses, the first thing God promises them (Israel) is, if they would be obedient He would be their healing.
Here’s where we run into the name, Jehovah-ropheka, meaning, “He who would be their Healer.” Jehovah would be their spiritual Healer, as well as their physical healer. When the Jews were in Egypt, He said, “None of these diseases that were in Egypt will come upon you.”
Now after the year 1320 B.C., we read the name Jehovah-Nissi in Exodus 15:17. Israel had come up against their first opposition – the Amalekites. Having left Egypt, they were on their way to Sinai, and were fighting the Amalekites. As long as Moses held his arms up, the battle went for Israel. As soon as they came down, the battle went against Israel. Who came to help Moses? It was Aaron and Hur who held Moses arms up until the battle was won. When the battle was over, they declared that God was their Jehovah-Nissi. He was, “Their Banner.” As long as the banner was lifted up to heaven, the Jewish fighters pressed on.
About the year 1160 B.C., we come to another title for God, Jehovah-Shalom, which in the Hebrew means “peace.” It was Gideon who first received this name for God. Israel had come to a point of decline. The Jews were going after false gods – and the Midianites from the east are overrunning their crops and taking their children captive.
It was then Israel began to cry to Jehovah for help, so the LORD raised up Gideon. He told Gideon, the only way to achieve peace was to turn back to Jehovah and defeat the Midianites with His help; then, indeed, they could have “Shalom,” meaning “peace.”
Now we come to, Jehovah-tsidkenu – “He is our Righteousness.” The Jews had none without Him, so He would one day be all the righteousness Israel would ever need in Christ Jesus.
About 1000 B.C. in Psalms 23, we read the word “roi,” in the Hebrew it means “Shepherd.” “The Lord is my Shepherd.” So, in the Hebrew, “Shepard,” is Jehovah-roi; “I am your Shepherd.” Again, this was an inherent need for the Nation of Israel. Jesus said,
John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd,”
The seventh title for Jehovah God is found in Jeremiah 23, it’s, “Jehovah-shammah,” Jeremiah was written between 627 and 586 B.C. This name means, “The LORD is there.” This name has reference to the setting up of His kingdom, He will be present, as Revelation 19, “KING of KINGS, and LORD of LORDS.”
God does everything in sevens, therefore the seven explicit needs of Israel have been met by the seven-fold operation of Jehovah names.
Jesus will fulfill all the needs of his people; He who is,
Jehovah-Jireh:
Who is, Jehovah-ropheka
Who is, Jehovah-Nissi
Who is, Jehovah-shalom.
Who is, Jehovah-tsidkenu
Who is, Jehovah-roi
Jesus also uses the term, “I Am.” He said in the following verses,
1. John 6:25, “I am the bread of life”
2. John 8:12, “I am the light of the world”
3. John 10:7-9, “I am the door of the sheep”.
4. John 10:11-14. “I am the good shepherd”
5. John 11:25, “I am the resurrection, and the life.”
6. John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
7. John 15:1-5, “I am the true vine.”
Eight in Scripture always speaks of finality. Finality will occur after the seven have been fulfilled.
The eighth title for Jesus is found in,
Revelation 22:16, Jesus said, “I Am.’ —- “the Bright and Morning Star.”
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com