My Father’s Name

Written by Elmer Towns (1991)

Adapted by Ron Williams

1 of 12 (1-hr)classes

Ridgecrest Baptist Church

© 2007 Ron Williams© 2007 Ron Williams

Why are names important?• Names and titles permit us to understand others. Take

for instance my wife. She has been called:

– Mary Evans– Mary (Babe)– Mary Evans Williams– Mom

• She has had different titles, so has God. She was given different names as the situation changed.

Life Situations• What situations in life require God to be

involved? What comes to your mind or when do you think you might need God?

– health (sickness and well-being)– direction (guidance)– survival (food/clothing/shelter)– protection (against your enemies)

How do we know what God is like ?

• By the creation- we see his genius

• His miracles- we see his power

• His Laws- we see his righteousness

• Our conscience-the Holy Spirit teaches us

• and His names- scriptures instructs us

• God provides us his titles so that: (1) we have a more fuller understanding of who he his

• The 2nd reason God has multiples names is: we can understand the different relationships we have with him (Creator, Judge, Savior and Sustainer). As our life situation changes, his different titles provide us comfort and assurance (such as Jehovah-jireh “provider”).

Why Study His Names?

• The 3rd reason for knowing God’s many names is: He reveals that he is the source and solution to our problems (such as Jehovah Rophe “healer”).

• The last reason to study His names is that: it teaches us to look to Him in our time of trouble and grow spiritually.

• By knowing God’s name, we can call upon the One who has been given the specific title for deliverance.

Importance of Names• Knowing the most appropriate name for us

allows us to :– fine tune our conversation with GOD

When you call someone by their name you get their immediate attention

Importance of Names to Israel

• Knowing the name of a god allowed a people to be able to identify

• Part of a greeting or blessing (Ruth 2:4)

• Knowing the name of a god represented having access to the power of that god

• Abraham needed to know the name of God (Gen 13:4; 14:8-19; 21:33)

The Names of God (Old Testament)

• There are three primary names of God in the Old Testament– God (Elohim)– LORD (Jehovah or Yahweh)– Lord/Master (Adonai)

• In addition over 80 compound names or titles are listed in the O.T.

The 3 Primary Names of GodHebrew English 1st used Root Meaning

ElohimorYahweh

God Gen 1:1 alah-toswearwith anoath

AllpowerfulCreater

Jehovah LORD Gen 2:4 hayah-tobecomeor revealoneself

Self-existentone

Adonai Lord Gen 15:2 to be amaster

Masterof aslave

• Elohim is listed 31 times in Genesis (Why do you think this is appropriate?)

• The name Jehovah is listed almost 7000 times in the O.T. (more than any other title). Read Exodus 3:14. Why would the name Jehovah (LORD) in this verse be appropriate?

• Adonai or Lord/Master refers to the master of a slave, indicating God’s headship over man and all creation. It also indicates that (1) God expects obedience from man and (2) man can expect direction and protection from God.

• Compound names provide further insight into the character of God. Some of the more commonly used are:

• LORD God (Jehovah Elohim, Gen 2:4) describes the relationship of God to man in creation; God’s moral authority; control over earthly relationships; one who redeems man

• Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah, Gen 15:2) emphasizes the Lordship character

• Lord God (Adonai Elohim, Daniel 9:3) reveals he is Master over all false gods (Daniel 9:3); Redeemer of man (Gen 3:8-15)

Compound Names• Jehovah El Emeth -LORD God of Truth (Ps

31:5)

• Elohe Chaseddi- The God of My Mercy (Ps 59:10)

• Jehovah Hashopeet-The LORD the Judge (Judg 11:27)

One Way to Use What You Are Learning (Substitution)

• 2 Chron 30: 6 “Do not be like your fathers and brothers who were unfaithful to the LORD (the self-revealing one), the God (Yahweh the creator) of their fathers....

God’s Name is to be Revered!

• The Jews revered His name (Exodus 23:13)

• Jehovah was considered so holy it was not spoken (except by priests on special occasions) and often written as YHWH or the “name”.

• Jesus took God’s name seriously (Luke 11:1-4)

Question• What does it make you feel

like when you hear someone curse using God’s name?

• What contributes to the carelessness in the use of God’s name in the world today?

Keeping His Name Today

• 10 commandments prohibit taking God’s name in vain (Exod 20:7). In doing so, person is either rejecting God’s authority or take the place or authority of God (Red Skelton)

• The Bible instructs us to get to know God and his character (Ps 46:10)

• The more we know about God, the more we learn about ourselves (Gen 1:27)

• We gain life through His name (Acts 4:12)

Discussion

• What names do you use in talking to Him (prayer)?

• Why do you call God by certain names (example “the Lord was telling me I should...”)

• What can you learn about yourself about how you address God?