Say again

How important are names?  Does it matter to you if people get your name right? I know people who get upset if someone says or spells their name wrong. Now its easy for me to remember faces and their prayer requests (since I’ve prayed for them) but names are harder for me.

The Shema (shema means hear) is the oldest and most important prayer in Judaism. It forms an important part of Jewish evening and morning prayer and is used as a Jewish confession of faith.   Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord (YHWH) our God (Elohim -plural form of supreme over all) is one Lord (YHWH).”  By looking at the word forms of this confession of faith shows that YAHWEH (the LORD) is plural in existence although one in character, attributes and purpose.  You and I in effect speak of the Shema when we talk about the trinity.

This morning turning to the minor prophet section I found my marker in Amos 1.  Noticing a repetition I quickly went through the 5 short chapters and was amazed that GOD’s covenant name of Yahwey (YHWH) was used 83 times, HIS name God (Elohim-which is the plural form of God) was used 11 times and HIS name for Lord over all (Adonai) 25 times.

When seeing GOD’s names repeated so often obviously I questioned, “Why?  Why is Amos so entranced with GOD’s names in this message given him as he was moved to write specific things by the HOLY SPIRIT (2 Peter 1:21). But why in the world did he see the need to use GOD’s names so often?

So of course, I went back to chapter 1 and began to slowly read. Amos 1:2 the LORD (YHWY) will roar from Zion.  In chapters 1 and 2 eight times YHWH mentions a country.  The LORD GOD begins each time: For thus says the LORD (YHWH) then HE names the country and states that BECAUSE of certain transgressions (sins) which HE gives specifics about, HE would not turn away from punishing them.

YHWH the self-existent ONE who is the source of all things uses here 1) the word BECAUSE showing that HE does nothing without a cause (Ezekiel 14:23) and being their Creator people are responsible to HIM. The LORD holds mankind to standards (Romans 3:23) that when broken must be punished.

Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoso keeps the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment. 6)Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, 11) BECAUSE the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

One of the many sins mentioned is abortion showing GOD cares for the unborn child (Amos 1:13).

Then I started in chapter 3 where the LORD is speaking to the Jews.  Amos 3:1 “Hear (shema) the word the LORD has spoken” Amos 3:2 “I will punish you for all your iniquities” Amos 3:3 “for how can two walk together unless they be agreed.” GOD wants to walk with HIS people so must discipline us so we can see things correctly for only then HE can walk with us (Hebrews 12:11). 

Then Amos 3:4-6 show cause and effect and Amos 3:7 takes up that concept with,  “Surely the LORD GOD will do nothing but HE reveals the secret to HIS servants the prophets.”  Amos 3:8 “The lion has roared and who will not fear?  The LORD has spoken who can but prophesy?”

You know the LORD has revealed what is coming in HIS word written by prophets and apostles as they were moved by the HOLY SPIRIT.  We must pay close attention to their words in these evil days, these days of deception.  The only way we can know what is true is to check it out with GOD as we go to HIS word (Isaiah 8:20). 

It is exciting to know that we who have received JESUS as LORD and Savior by calling on HIS name (Romans 10:9-10, 13, John 3:16) are awaiting JESUS to catch us away before that terrible 7-year period of time when GOD’s wrath falls on the earth punishing the evil that has been done. 

But those who have rejected JESUS will have to go through that time.  Therefore, we who know JESUS have been commissioned by JESUS (Acts 1:8) to tell people about JESUS and HIS forgiveness, giving them a chance to receive JESUS and escape the wrath that is coming.

Scary, maybe.  But what the unsaved face is much, much worse.

Hugs

Sharon

Which name do you use?

When you meet someone new what is the 1^st thing you learn about that one? 

Since introductions often start with “This is…….,” I’d say the 1st thing we learn usually is the name of the person.

So, it is with GOD and in the Bible, names often tell us something about the person.  GOD is called by many names and even addresses HIMSELF by different names.  You will find that if you examine the context wherein a certain name is used for the ALMIGHTY it speaks of how GOD is relating to people at that time.  This is spectacularly obvious in the 1^st 3 chapters of Revelation where JESUS refers to HIMSELF using a enormous rage of names showing how HE is relating to a person because of how that person is acting.

One name to refer to GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST is LORD.  LORD is not just another name for GOD it means Master= the One who has the right to tell you what to do. 

We are promised: “ if you confess with your mouth that JESUS is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 ESV).

For “whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

When we confess that JESUS is LORD we are saying, ‘JESUS YOU are my Master,‘ and with that we convey the concept “I will look to YOU for direction”.

Do you, do I look to JESUS for direction in what to do, where to go, and what to say?   Hmmm

Hugs

Sharon