This Article: (3 Pages)
1) Gentiles upon whom Name of God is called
Many might miss James' point
Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, said the Lord, who does all these things. (Acts 15 :14-17)
The reference here to Simeon is to the time when Mary and Joseph were in the Temple following the birth of the Messiah, Y'shua. This is recorded in (Luke 2:25-32). Mary must have not only kept this is her heart but repeated it. The interesting thing we note here is to the name of God and the promise related to His name. These verses also prophesy of the rebuilding of David's Tabernacle and a promise to the Gentiles. The reader is directed to the prophets for the confirmation of these promises. It is here we are investigating a principle which is largely lost or ignored, but is a basis for salvation.
'This is My Name- forever'
When Moses was concerned about the people of Israel and how he could persuade them that he was being sent to lead them out of their bondage in Egypt, he was given the name of the God of Israel.
God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. (Exodus 3:15)
The phrase “LORD God” is literally 'Yahweh Elohim' and in the above passage we have a description of Yahweh as 'he who shall be (Yahweh) mighty ones (Elohim)'. This title expresses the Creator's purpose to take out a people for his name and these people will be the Elohim, that means the mighty ones, of the future age.
The nation of Israel were given the name of their God which was to be remembered by the nation in all generations. It was a most significant name full of meaning and promise.
Isaiah and his reverence for the God of Israel
Following this proclamation to Moses and the advice given above in Acts, we now turn to the prophecy of Isaiah, to chapter 12..
Behold, God (El) is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD YAHWEH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise Yahweh, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto Yahweh; for he has done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.(Isaiah 12:2-5)
This is a song of praise and proclaims that Yahweh is the source of salvation. Again we find reference to Yahweh's name and that his name should be exalted. This is important as shown again in the gospel of Luke 1:31-33. Mary was told that her son Y'shua (Yah will save) would reign on the throne of David in Jerusalem. This has not yet happened, but it will, as it has been promised to the Patriarchs of Israel and to the Gentiles.
In Isaiah 24, it is prophesied that the Yahweh Elohim of Israel will be praised and glorified, in the land (Israel) and also in the isles of the sea.
When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done. They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea. Wherefore glorify ye the LORD (Yahweh) in the fires, even the name of the LORD God(Yahweh Elohim) of Israel in the isles of the sea.(Isaiah 24:13-15)
Isaiah 26 describes the destiny of the city of Jerusalem and the land of Judah. There will be righteous rule for the just and a day of salvation for those who trust in Yahweh, and for the residue of mankind who survive the judgement which is yet to come on this world, which is described in Zechariah 14. Isaiah refers to the blessings that will follow a time of judgement upon those whose desire is 'is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee'. .
In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee. Trust ye in Yahweh for ever: for in the LORD YAHWEH is everlasting strength: For he brings down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he lays it low; he lays it low, even to the ground; he brings it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgements, O Yahwewh, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. (Isaiah 26:1-8)
Isaiah 42 again stresses that 'Yahweh' is God's name. The name Yahweh signifies 'He who will be'. He is the all powerful creator and we are told that he calls people in righteousness. The quotation above from Acts speaks of the calling of the Gentiles, and here we have the nation of Israel as a 'light of the Gentiles'.
I Yahweh have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am Yahweh that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.(Isaiah 42:6-8)
The following verse also refers to Yahweh Elohim as the Holy one of Israel, and again it is implied that Yahweh is their saviour who is calling out a people who will reverence and fear him.
For I am Yahweh thy Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. (Isaiah 43:3)
The following verse advises people to seek out those things that relate to these promises. We can rely on the prophets, as stated by Simeon in the quotation from Acts 15 at the start of this article.
Thus said Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. (Isaiah 45:11)
There is no other Power or redeemer..
For thus said Yahweh that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am Yahweh; and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:18)
As for our redeemer, Yahweh of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 47:4)
He will be Armies
The next quotation introduces another aspect of the process of salvation. 'Yahweh of hosts' that is Yahweh Sabaoth, is another description of the Creator. It is a military title and reveals that 'he will be armies or hosts', showing his power through the Divine armies or those who are the redeemed of the future. Those who will be redeemed acknowledge and reverence the God of Israel.
For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the Elohim of Israel; Yahweh of hosts is his name.(Isaiah 48: 2)
For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. (Isaiah 48:9)
The following verses depict a future time when the Gentiles will acknowledge the God of Israel as all powerful. Kings and princes will worship him and all flesh will acknowledge Yahweh as the Redeemer of mankind. The nation of Israel will return to their God. Both Jews and Gentiles will be united in their worship of the Creator. In these verses there is a constant reference to the importance of the name of Yahweh.
Thus said Yahweh, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of Yahweh that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. (Isaiah 49:7)
And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that Yahweh am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. (Isaiah 49:26)
Who is among you that fears Yahweh, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light? let him trust in the name of Yahweh, and stay upon his Elohim. (Isaiah 50:10)
But I am Yahweh thy Elohim, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: Yahweh of hosts is his name.(Isaiah 51:15)
2) Future for Jerusalem
There is also a glorious future for the city of Jerusalem. The people of Israel have suffered persecution many times throughout their history and even today the nation of Israel has very few friends. There is the promise that this will change and Israel will acknowledge the name of their God.
Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus said Yahweh, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money. For thus said the Lord Yahweh, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
Now therefore, what have I here, said Yahweh, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, said Yahweh; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. (Isaiah 52:1:6)
At that time the whole earth will recognise the power of the Creator.
For thy Maker is thine husband; Yahweh of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The Elohim of the whole earth shall he be called.(Isaiah 54:5)
James point is from Isaiah, Jews were told that 'strangers' (Gentiles) would join to their God to serve Him,
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to Yahweh, to serve him, and to love the name of Yahweh, to be his servants, every one that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of my covenant; (Isaiah 56:6)
For thus said the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15)
At that time many will be humbled and assist the Jews to go to their homeland from the nations of the world.
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of Yahweh thy Elohim, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified thee. (Isaiah 60:9)
Thou shall also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shall suck the breast of kings: and you shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. (Isaiah 60:16)
There was a prophecy for the Jews, such as Paul, who were cast out by their own people,
Hear the word of Yahweh, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let Yahweh be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. (Isaiah 66:5)
Other prophets echo Isaiah's words
Other prophets emphasise the importance of Yahweh's name, which reflects his purpose in creation and the destiny and promise of salvation for the faithful on this earth.
You show lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompense the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty EL, Yahweh of hosts, is his name, (Jeremiah 32:18)
For, lo, he that formed the mountains, and created the wind, and declares unto man what is his thought, that makes the morning darkness, and treads upon the high places of the earth, Yahweh, The Elohimd of hosts, is his name. (Amos 4:13)
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Yahweh our Elohim for ever and ever.(Micah (4:5)
And he shall stand and feed in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his Elohim; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. (Micah 5:4)
The hope that was offered to the Patriarchs of Israel was also extended to the Gentiles The apostle John, as do other writers of the New Testament, stresses the importance of an understanding of Yahweh's name and name of the Messiah, his son, Y'shua which means 'Yah will save.'
Life and salvation are revealed in these names, for those who are humbled and believe.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. (John 2:23)
And many other signs truly did Jesus (Y'shua) in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus (Y'shua) is the Christ (Anointed), the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:30-31)
The nation of Israel and the name
Moses speaking to the nation of Israel had told the nation that they had been given promises.
(Yahweh Elohim of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he has promised you!) (Deuteronomy 1: 11)
These promises had been made to the Patriarchs of Israel and their seed, because of their faith. As we read through the Old Testament there are many reminders of the name and the promises that would would not fail and were to include the Gentiles. The following verses from Deuteronomy reflect the expressions used in so many places in the Old testament which were to 'LORD God of your fathers', which means Yahweh was the God of their fathers and of Israel. They are frequently reminded of 'LORD your God '. This expression is used many times to remind the people of their God, who is Yahweh their mighty one..
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgements, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Yahweh Elohim of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Yahweh Elohim which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:1-2)
Ruth was a Moabitess and Boaz recognises Ruth's faith in accepting Yahweh Elohim of Israel as her God. It was through the seed of Ruth that David came and through David's seed that the Messiah came.
Boaz answered and said unto her, It has fully been shown me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knew not heretofore. Yahweh recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of Yahweh Elohim of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.(Ruth 2:11-12)
The following quotations are a few examples of a similar use of the name of the Creator. They use terminology such as Yahweh Elohim of Israel, of the fathers and of hosts/armies.
Genesis 3:15; 9:1. Deuteronomy 1:11,21; 4:1; 12:1; 26:7; 29:25. Joshua 8:30; 10:42; 13:14; 14:14. 18:3. Judges 2:12; 4:6; 5:3,5; 6:8;11:21, 23; 1Samuel 2:30; 10:18; 23:10-11; 25:32,34; 2Samuel 5:10, 22-26; 1Kings 1:30,48; 8: 15,17,2o. 23,25; 11:9.
Israel were to reverence their God
The name of the Creator was to always be remembered by the nation of Israel. The nation and individuals were to keep Yahweh in their minds and thoughts. The following verses from Deuteronomy show that the promises to the fathers were extended to the people of Israel as shown in the phrase “ the LORD thy God (Yahweh thy Elohim)<”.
That you might fear the Yahweh thy Elohim, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as Yahweh of thy Fathers has promised thee, in the land that flows with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 6:2-3)
It is then that many times in the Old Testament we read statements such as Yahweh his Elohim, Yahweh their Elohim, Yahweh my Elohim and Yahweh thy Elohim.
Consider Psalm 7 and the Psalmist's plea.
O Yahweh my Elohim, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. O Yahweh my Elohim, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; (Psalms 7:1-3)
3) The name in the New Testament
We have frequently been told that the name does not occur in the N.T. For this reason these people affirm that it is of no importance to the Christian. In other places in this web site it has been shown that Y'shua and the Apostles many times told those who professed to be followers of the Messiah, that it was necessary to study the writings of Moses, the Psalms and the prophets.
In translations of the Bible such as the King James Version, for example the Oxford edition,we have been provided with an abundance of evidence, in the margins, of the use of the O.T in the N.T. By referring back to the O.T references cited in the margin of the N.T we will very quickly recognise the Name of Yahweh. Take for instance Psalm 110 as quoted by Matthew and Luke.
Yahweh said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Psalms 110:1)
Now consider Matthew and Luke.
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? (Matthew 22: 44)
And Luke quotes;
And David himself said in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Luke 20:42-43)
Here a clear distinction is made. “Yahweh said to my Lord” is further explained in Acts 2 by Peter, who also quotes from Palm110. It is an explanation of resurrection. David was dead, but it had been promised that a descendant of David would rule on David's throne . If David was to witness this, he would have to be resurrected, as Yahweh is a God of the living. Peter clearly concludes his speech that Y'shua is the Messiah, the 'Lord' referred to in the Psalmist's words “Yahweh said unto my Lord”, and David's greater son. The leaders of Israel had killed their Messiah, but Y'shua had been resurrected to wait until Yahweh's appointed time when he is to return to rule on earth.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he said himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:30-36)
This quotation has been used three times in the N.T and Peter's explanation is clear and a strong message to the leaders of Israel at that time.
The following chart is a list of just a few examples of the evidence of Yahweh's name in the N.T. There are many more that can be found with the tools available to us today. However a pencil to mark the quotation and the 'cited from' reference in the margin reveals a wealth of information. Below the first quotation/s is the N.T source and the second quotation is the O.T. Source.
New Testament............................Old Testament
Matthew 4:4 & Luke 4:4.............Deuteronomy 8:3
Matthew 4:7................................Deuteronomy 6:16
Matthew 4:10..............................Deuteronomy 6:13
Matthew 22:32............................Exodus 3:6
Matthew 22:37............................Deuteronomy 6:5
Luke 4:18....................................Isaiah 61:1
Acts 3:22.....................................Deuteronomy 18:15
Romans 4:3.................................Genesis 15: 6
Romans 9:29:..............................Isaiah 1:9
Romans 10:13.............................Joel 2:32
1 Corinthians 3:20......................Psalm 94: 11
What is the whole duty of man? To reverence his maker the God of Israel, to call upon the God of Israel in the days of trouble, to offer praise and thanksgiving to him in days of peace and plenty and to accept the mediatorship of the appointed and anointed High Priest King of the order of Melchisedec with thanksgiving and reverence.
For more Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth
Show All
