Today, we continue to consider some implications of God’s name for those of us who want to honor it. If you missed last week’s post, here’s a link that will help you connect it to what we’re discussing today. https://www.cosdavis.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5486&action=edit&classic-editor&classic-editor__forget
God’s Name is a Covenant Name
Remember, God made a covenant with Abraham, a promise that was passed on to Isaac, Jacob, and ultimately to the Jewish people. Yahweh was the name of the God of Israel, not that of other countries or cultures. This was a special name for a special people, chosen to bring redemption and grace to all humanity.
When Moses met God at the blazing bush on Mount Horeb, the Jewish people were in bondage in Egypt, suffering under cruel slavemsters. God’s promise had been “on hold” for a while, but He had not forgotten His people. God had made a covenant-promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He was now commissioning Moses to execute His plan.
God’s covenant, His promise to bring our Savior into the world, was fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ. What began with a promise in the Garden of Eden and continued with Abraham and the Jewish people was completed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. According to Paul’s statement in Philippians 2:8-11, Jesus Christ is the long-awaited Messiah, whom God honors with a name that is above every name.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient unto the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Think about the wonder of this! The faithful God who spoke to Moses on Mount Horeb about how He would continue to be who He had always been had bigger things in mind than freeing Israel from slavery. He had you and me in mind. He wanted to free us from the bondage of sin. Jesus did that for us. Praise the name of Jesus.
God’s Name is Memorial Name
After God instructed Moses how to tell the elders about His name, He said, “This is my name forever, and this is my memorial name to all generations.” Exodus 3:15.
We typically think of a “memorial” as something done in honor or memory of a deceased person, such as a building, monument, or highway. God’s name, however, is to remind Israel that they serve a living God who has been active in their past, is with them currently, and will keep His word to them in the future. God is not dead but is very much involved in the nation, and can be trusted to deliver on His promises.
Saying His name, singing His name, or using His name in conversation was to elicit hope and confidence in Him, based on previous actions. When God’s name was used, it was to remind the Israelites of His continuous care and activity in their nation. You will notice this in many Psalms; the writer praises the name of God, recounts specific blessings, and encourages us to continue trusting Him. One of my favorite Psalms, 103, illustrates the memorial nature of His name.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:1-3
Verse 17 of the psalm moves from God’s past and present actions to the promising future of all who put their trust in Him. “The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to his children’s children.”
Jesus taught us to pray, to petition the Father “in His name.” When we do this, or sing praises to His name, we are memorializing what He has done to save us, what He is currently doing to sanctify us, and what He will do to raise us from the grave to spend eternity with Him in heaven.
What name or title do you use to speak to God, or about Him? As I wrote earlier, I don’t think it matters to God the name or title you use. What does matter is that you pray, sing, or speak of Him with respect for what He has done, is doing, and will do to see you safely to heaven. Praise His wonderful name!
Thank you, Lord Jesus.