I will now discuss some attributes which the bible associates with God’s name Jahovah. Sometimes , as in the case of Jahovah Tsidkenu (Jahovah our Righteousness), these attributes are used as a title for God. And even when they are not, they are intrinsic to His character.
When God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, and when Abraham had purposed to obey, at the last moment the angel of the Lord called unto him to cease. Abraham then saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns, which Abraham offered instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jahovah Jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of Jahovah it shall be seen. (Gen 22:14)
God sees all our sorrows and will not allow our trials and tribulations to become too much to bear. Paul writes: God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor 10:13)
While enduring the depths of sorrows, Jeremiah said: This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Jahovah ’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness . . . though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (Lam 3:21-23,32,33)
Paul, writing of his afflictions, said: out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Tim 3:11) And he had confidence, saying that until the time of his departure from this world: The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. (2 Tim 4:18)
And in comparison with eternity Paul writes: our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2 Cor 4:17) We can be thankful for trials and afflictions because their endurance earns for us an eternal reward, as well as prepares our hearts to receive that reward.
After the Amalekites had smitten the feeble straggling Israelites (Deut 25:17-19) when they were weary: Jahovah said unto Moses . . . I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jahovah Nissi. (Jahovah is my banner) (Exod 17:14,15)
Jahovah is our banner of victory in battle today, just as He was to the Israelites thousands of years ago. The greatest battle of the Israelites was during their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. God said to Moses: I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up . . . unto a good land flowing with milk and honey. (Exod 3:7,8) This was God’s purpose for His people and nothing can disannul God’s purpose.
To convince Pharaoh, God gave Moses three signs: his staff turning into a serpent and then back into a rod; his hand becoming leprous and then healed; and water poured out turning to blood (Exod 4:2-9). These were not sufficient to convince Pharaoh to let the people go, and initially Pharaoh made things worse for the children of Israel by not giving them straw to make bricks.
Then God sent ten plagues upon Egypt (Exod 8-11). The water of the Nile became blood. Frogs filled the land. The dust became lice. Swarms of flies filled the houses of the Egyptians. Pestilence was upon the cattle and all their cattle died. The Egyptians were smitten with boils. There was a grievous hail upon man and beast in the field. There was a plague of locusts. There was thick darkness. Finally God smote all the firstborn in Egypt. And only then did Pharaoh let the Israelites go.
But after he had let them go Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army after them, which caught up with them at the Red Sea. Then the Lord began to save them. First He sent a cloud between the camp of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians, which was darkness to the Egyptians but light to the Israelites (Exod 14:19,20). Then the Lord divided the Red Sea. The Israelites went through on dry land. And after they had crossed, the waters returned to destroy the pursuing Egyptian army (Exod 14:28).
Then the Israelites praised the Lord saying: I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. (Exod 15:1) Today we can also praise the Lord for this mighty victory thousands of years ago, as God says: I am the Jahovah, I change not. (Mal 3:6) and: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. (Heb 13:8)
Jahovah was also David’s banner of victory as we read in Psalm 18. This Psalm is also repeated in 2 Sam 22, perhaps because Jahovah wants us to be mindful of it. David: spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that Jahovah had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies. (2 Sam 22:1) David was delivered from very much trouble. He said: the sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. (Psalm 18:4) In every way Jahovah delivered David, who said: I will love thee, O Jahovah, my strength. Jahovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust . . . I will call upon the Jahovah, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Psalm 18:1-3)
In response to David’s cry for help, Jahovah acted very definitely on David’s behalf. David said: he heard my voice out of his temple . . . Then the earth shook and trembled . . . because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down . . . At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. Jahovah also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice . . . Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomforted them. (Psalm 18:6-9,12-14) This was toward David’s enemies.
But toward David, David says of his rescue: He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. (Psalm 18:16) David also said: Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. (Psalm 18:35)
The victory was complete. Not only was David delivered, but he also says: thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me . . . It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. (Psalm 18:43,47) Read the whole Psalm for more inspiration for praise.
Although today we no longer fight to establish God’s kingdom on earth, the promise of this Psalm is still relevant to us, as Jesus said: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:26)
All Satan’s victories are temporary. Normally in this life we shall see the victory. But even if we die, we will still be victorious as it is written: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:35-39)
When a Christian dies it is: to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor 5:8) Paul even had: a desire to depart, and to be present with Christ; which is far better. (Phil 1:23) And we will be rewarded for: not accepting deliverance (by denying Christ) and shall: obtain a better resurrection. (Heb 11:35) But of our enemies, Jesus said: That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. (Matt 12:36)
When Gideon saw the Angel of the Lord, (the Lord Jesus Christ) he said: Alas, O Lord Jahovah! for because I have seen an angel of the Jahovah face to face. And Jahovah said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto Jahovah, and called it Jahovah Shalom. (Jahovah send peace) (Judges 6:22-24) Gideon was afraid because God had said: there shall no man see my face and live. (Exod 33:20) But Gideon had not understood that this referred to the face of the Father rather than of the Son of God, whom Gideon must have seen.
But in the next life some shall be able to see in peace, God the Father’s face. It is written that: round about the throne (of the Father) were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment. (Rev 4:4) Is it not amazing that mere man shall sit in the presence of the God of glory in peace? And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (Rev 22:4)
They shall not be full of fear. God shall even comfort them. It is written that: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. (Rev 21:4,5)
So the next life promises an abundant peace, more than can be known in this life. But even in this life it is promised: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3) But this peace is only for the obedient. God says: O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river. (Isaiah 48:18)
Not only do: we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1), but also: When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Prov 16:7) So: the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. (2 Thess 3:16)
How we can thank and praise God for the continuing peace that He gives.
During the millennium those who visit Jerusalem will experience fellowship with Christ for: the name of the city from that day shall be, Jahovah Shammah. (Jahovah is there) (Ezek 48:35) But the Lord’s fellowship with his saints who: shall . . . ever be with the Lord (1 Thess 4:17) will be far greater.
During the millennium it is written of a multitude: Therefore are they before the throne of God . . . and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them . . . the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. (Rev 7:15-17) And of another 144,000 Christians it is written: they sung as it were a new song before the throne . . . these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. (Rev 14:4)
And of the fellowship of God the Father with all the overcoming faithful, at the end of the millennium, when God creates a new earth with a New Jerusalem, it is written, that in this city: the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. (Rev 21:3)
We can also praise for the hope of heaven and we can also praise God for our present fellowship with God, with both the Father and the Son. Jesus said of those who love and obey Him: my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)
God uses the title Jahovah Sabaoth many times in the Scriptures, often to express might. For example: Therefore saith the Lord, Jahovah Sabaoth (Jahovah of Hosts) the mighty One of Israel. (Isaiah 1:24) Hosts refer to hosts of angels, as when Micaiah said: I saw Jahovah sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. (1 Kings 22:19) Although Israel’s armies are sometimes referred to as hosts, these are so weak compared to the angels that God would never express his strength by referring to these.
The translators of the New International Version, not realising this, and taking it upon themselves to withhold from the reader concepts that the translators do not understand, have rendered God’s title: the Jahovah of Hosts, as the Lord Almighty. It is not the role of translators to tamper with God’s word in such a way.
Jahovah’s hosts of angels perform many roles: praising God; carrying God’s messages; fighting battles; and protecting.
The angels, like men, praise God for His work of redemption, even though the angels themselves do not need redemption. When John was caught up into heaven he: beheld, and . . . heard the voice of many angels round about the throne . . . saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Rev 5:11,12) Perhaps God’s love to man, shown through redemption, teaches the angels of God’s love to them, even though their redemption is unnecessary.
Angels carry God’s messages. The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary with the message: thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest. (Luke 1:31,32) Sometimes when a message is not understood the angel will explain. After Daniel had seen a vision he did not understand, God said: Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. (Dan 8:16)
God’s angels fight against the devil’s angels, the demons. When the church is caught to heaven, there is war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan . . . he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Rev 12:7-9)
Angels have great strength, some even exceeding that of Satan. When Jesus Christ returns to the earth and defeats the armies of the antichrist, John saw in a vision: an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit. (Rev 20:1-3)
Angels also protect us, although we are not usually conscious of them. After Elisha had miraculously warned the king of Israel of the place of several Syrian ambushes, the king of Syria thought to capture Elisha in the city of Dothan. And Elisha’s servant saw that: an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Jahovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jahovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-18)
Angels still protect us under the New Covenant. Peter was freed from prison by an angel: behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands . . . And he went out, and followed him . . . When they were passed the first and second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out. (Acts 12:7-10)
The protection and deliverance of angels is not the exclusive domain of apostles. All Christians no matter how weak or insignificant have an angel to protect them. Jesus warned: Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. (Matt 18:10) And the Father is ready to command His angels to help and to protect and to deliver.
The fate of the king who imprisoned Peter is that: the angel of the Lord smote him . . . and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. (Acts 12:23)
Angels also give general protection. It is written: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:10-12)
David said: Jahovah is my Shepherd. (Yahwey Raah) (Psalm 23:1) As discussed in my article: Flock of God, a shepherd has three roles towards his sheep: protection, guidance, and provision.
Regarding provision David said: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2) This was also the experience of the children of Israel in the wilderness: he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, and had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angel’s food: he sent them meat to the full. (Psalm 78:23-25) And of drink: he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. (Psalm 78:20) And at the end of their journey He brought them into: a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness. (Deut 8:7-9)
Regarding guidance David said: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3) God led the children of Israel through the inhospitable wilderness by a pillar of cloud: When the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents. This was how: At the commandment of Jahovah the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of Jahovah they pitched. (Num 9:17,18) The cloud turned into a pillar of fire by night and Moses reminded the children of Israel at the end of their journey, saying to them: Jahovah your God . . . went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day. (Deut 1:32,33)
God led Abraham. Stephen told the Jews how: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia . . . and said unto him, Get thee out of thy country . . . and come into the land which I shall shew thee. (Acts 7:2,3) After that Abraham had obeyed Jahovah, He appeared unto Abraham another nine times, encouraging him and strengthening him, commanding him, and telling him of things to come. He told him that his wife, Sarah, would have a son (Gen 17:16). God told Abraham of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:17). And God told Abraham that his descendants would be afflicted four hundred years, and would then escape with great substance (Gen 15:13,14).
Jahovah our Shepherd protects us in fellowship with Himself. It is written: He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust. (Psalm 91:4) and so David could say: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. (Psalm 23:4)
Our enemies must be dismayed when they see us enjoying God’s blessing that they cannot reverse. David says: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5) As in the case of Job, it is only through hardship, such as that of having enemies, that a double blessing is received.
Because Jahovah was his protection David could say: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6) Mercy because we do not deserve such goodness. But remember that these promises, as of all God’s promises, only come true to the degree to which we follow our good Shepherd, hearkening to his voice. David said: Jahovah rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. (Psalm 18:20) But even David went astray on one occasion, regarding Uriah and his wife Bathsheba.
Jahovah said to Moses: my sabbaths ye shall keep . . . that ye may know that I am Jahovah that doth sanctify you. (Jahovah Mekoddishkem) (Exod 31:13) The meaning of the word sanctify is to be holy, sacred. But the meaning usually given to it is the implied meaning of being set apart, appointed to an office or work.
Jahovah promises that if any man depart from iniquity, and separate himself from excessive association with those that are unclean: he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Tim 2:21) How wonderful that we can be: workers together with him (2 Cor 6:1) experiencing fellowship with God.
Paul speaks of such work as building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ: gold, silver, precious stones. (1 Cor 3:12) Such work will be: revealed by fire (1 Cor 3:13) to be of eternal value. And if so be that the work is revealed to be in accordance with the word of God, the labourer: shall receive a reward. (2 Cor 3:14)
Such work is primarily souls, saved and built up by the word of God. Paul said to the Thessalonians: what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (1 Thess 2:19)
Jesus said: he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (John 4:36) We should be thankful that God gives such joy.
But what is truly amazing is that we can bring the angels joy. Jesus said: joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:7) So when we preach the gospel and a sinner hears and repents, heaven rejoices. And so does Jesus Christ, the good Shepherd, who, when the lost sheep is found: layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (Luke 15:5)
Just as truly as God said, that the evil before the flood: grieved him at his heart (Gen 6:6), so all our good works bring joy to the heart of God. What is man, who is a worm, that he should have the power to bring joy to God? Praise Jahovah that He is such a God, and bring Him joy through goodness and labour and worship.
Jahovah said: I will raise unto David a righteous Branch . . . and this is his name whereby he shall be called, JAHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (JAHOVAH TSIDKENU) (Jer 23:5,6) This is a prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is fulfilled in three ways: firstly Jesus Christ was righteous; secondly when he reigns he enforces righteousness; and thirdly when a man is saved, he is transformed to a life of righteousness.
Jesus Christ is righteous. His apostles, who witnessed His life, could say he: did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. (1 Peter 2:22,23) He: was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15) He was: holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. (Heb 7:26) And, of the Father who is righteous, Jesus said: there is none good but one, that is, God. (Matt 19:17)
So we should worship, not grudgingly simply because we have to (although this is better than not to worship at all,) but we worship Him who is worthy to be worshipped, because He alone and His Son are truly righteous.
Jesus Christ the: king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgement. (Isaiah 32:1) Those who do not know Jahovah, might be afraid of total righteousness, but Solomon’s wisdom says: When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting (Prov 11:10) for joy. How we can praise God that we shall have treasure in that land: where thieves do not break through nor steal. (Matt 6:20)
Jesus Christ’s doctrine can set us free from continual sin, even now on earth. Speaking in such a context, He said: If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31,32)
The truth is, that the way of God’s righteousness is always better than the way of Satan’s sin. A failure to appreciate this, strengthens the grip of Satan’s temptations. Satan cannot offer anything of true value as: Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17) When we believe such truth, Satan’s power over us is broken.
How marvellous to be delivered from the guilt and fear that is associated with sin, and for this to be replaced with love by the power of the Holy Spirit. John writes: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He also writes: Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17,18)
But to be: as he is, we must spend time with Him, reading His word, praying, going to church, and labouring for Him. This is how we behold the glory of the Lord and how: we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:18) Then the Holy Spirit empowers us with a heart of goodness, and we are enabled: to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)
Jahovah said: If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jahovah your God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am Jahovah that healeth thee. (Jahovah Rapha) (Exod 15:26)
This should be thought of as a general promise rather than an absolute promise. Job, a righteous man, was afflicted with sickness, although only for a time. And Paul’s co-worker Timothy was subject to: often infirmities. (1 Tim 5:23)
But God does promise deliverance from the worst afflictions. He promises: the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. (James 5:14) Jesus demonstrated such power to heal while on earth and promised of His disciples that after His ascension they would do even greater works than He had done, but only because Jesus is with the Father as our advocate (John 14:12).
We can praise God for all His mercies in healing, both now, and when Jesus was on earth, as it all shows His compassion. It is written: Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (Matt 14:14)
Jesus performed many miracles. He said: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up. (Matt 11:5) As you become familiar with the gospels, you can praise God for those miracles that are most meaningful to you.
We see the Lord’s gentleness when healing in His words to the woman who had had an issue of blood twelve years, and who touched the hem of His garment: Jesus said, Somebody has touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (Luke 8:46-48)
We see that it is Jesus who is on our side and Satan who is against us, in His words regarding a woman who had been bowed down and could not lift up herself. After the Lord had healed her, He said: ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond. (Luke 13:16)
Before Christ raised up Lazarus from the dead He said: I am the resurrection, and the life. (John 11:25) Christ: will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body. (Phil 3:21 NKJV) These transformed bodies shall never die, nor experience sorrow, crying, or pain. (Rev 21:4) How we can praise God for such a hope.