What is YAHVEH like? If you were asked to describe YAHVEH today, how would you respond? Would your description focus on YAHVEH’s power and what He can do or would it recognize the magnitude and wonder of His attributes that distinguish Him as YAHVEH Almighty? Knowing YAHVEH and discovering what He is like is the most worthwhile endeavour to which mankind can devote himself for this is the ultimate purpose for man’s existence. Many natural-minded men and women have put their trust in temporal things, inadvertently believing that success and achievement in life represent the purpose for their existence. The Word of YAHVEH however, offers this admonition: “Thus saith our Adonai, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am your Adonai which exercise loving-kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, saith our Adonai.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Though the natural mind could never fully contain the unfathomable greatness of YAHVEH, you and I can know Him and discover what He is like through the revelation of His Word and through relationship.
This unfolding process of knowing YAHVEH was eloquently described by A. W. Tozer in The Knowledge of The Holy when he wrote, “YAHVEH can be known in increasing degrees of intimate acquaintance as we prepare our hearts for the wonder. It may be necessary for us to alter our former beliefs about YAHVEH as the glory that gilds the Sacred Scriptures dawns over our interior lives.” And as we embark upon this quest to know YAHVEH, we begin an adventure in this life that reaches into eternity, bringing us face to face with the Living King and Creator! YAHVEH Almighty created man to know Him, for the Word of YAHVEH declares, “And this is life eternal; that they might know Thee, the only true YAHVEH” (John 17:3). This is man’s chief end and ultimate purpose and YAHVEH reveals Himself through an unfolding revelation of His Name.
We capture a glimpse of the inexhaustible grandeur of YAHVEH’s Nature and Character as we examine the revelations of His Name in scripture, for He reveals Himself to us in twelve glorious revelations of His Name: One Name, twelve revelations. Each revelation draws us closer to Him as we gain understanding of what He is like, bringing greater depth to our relationship and producing more intimate fellowship with Him. Although these revelations were given years apart, yet they were recorded in perfect order by the inspiration of Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and define with perfection the Nature of an awesome Adonai King.
TWELVE REVELATIONS IN YAHVEH’S NAME
YAHVEH Almighty reveals Himself to man in twelve revelations of His name: One Name, twelve revelations.
1. ELOHIM: YAHVEH, CREATOR --- GENESIS 1:1
“In the beginning YAHVEH created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
The revelation of who YAHVEH is begins as He is revealed as Elohim in verse one of Genesis chapter one. The Name Elohim is always connected to creation, authority, power, greatness, dominion and glory, but never to covenant or relationship. In Genesis 1:1 the Bible declares, “In the beginning YAHVEH created the heavens and the earth.” The Word Elohim is a plural form of YAHVEH’s Name that is used about 2,000 times in scripture. Therefore, the actual meaning when translated from the Hebrew says, “In the eternal past YAHVEHs brought out of nothing the heavens and the earth.” The Name Elohim presents YAHVEH and in Genesis 1 we find “and YAHVEH said and YAHVEH said and YAHVEH said” repeatedly. YAHVEH presents Himself in the Name Elohim to His creation and the angels. The first mention of YAHVEH occurs in Genesis 2:7 with the creation of man.
2. YAHVEH: MY FATHER --- GENESIS 2:7
“And our Adonai YAHVEH formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7
While the Name Elohim only presents YAHVEH, we see His personality revealed in YAHVEH for it is connected to covenant, relationship, fellowship and blood sacrifice. It’s like this: Elohim presents love; YAHVEH reveals love. Elohim presents power; YAHVEH reveals it. Elohim presents mercy; YAHVEH reveals mercy. In Elohim He presents His glory; in YAHVEH He reveals it. The Name Elohim is used in reference to YAHVEH in every aspect of creation until the creation of man. It is here that the second revelation of His Name appears as YAHVEH reveals Himself as Adonai YAHVEH, for the Bible declares in Genesis 2:7, “And ADONAI YAHVEH formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” When man came on the scene, YAHVEH’s Name was revealed as YAHVEH Elohim, emphasizing relationship before power and authority. Even though YAHVEH had revealed Himself as YAHVEH at the creation of man, yet when satan came to tempt the woman, there is no mention of the devil saying to Eve, “Has Adonai said?”
He said, “Hath Elohim said,” demonstrating that he had not known YAHVEH as YAHVEH. An even greater tragedy is reflected in the woman’s response. Although YAHVEH had revealed Himself to man as YAHVEH and she and Adam had walked with YAHVEH, it is clear from her response that she did not really “know” Him, for she said, “Yes, Elohim hath said.” The sin of the woman was not that she obeyed the serpent; her greatest sin was that she did not know YAHVEH as YAHVEH. The Bible tells us that the angels cry holy, holy, holy in response to His holiness. This is based on revelation and not relationship for no angel has ever known YAHVEH as YAHVEH. When we experience a revelation of His glory, we don’t have to cry out as the angels do, for YAHVEH wants you and me to participate and experience the glory of His holiness in our lives. Though the angels will never know Him as YAHVEH, you and I can know this privilege as believers because of the work of the cross, experiencing the intimate fellowship that comes as a result of having a covenant relationship with Him.
3. YAHVEH EL-SHADDAI: MY SUPPLY --- GENESIS 17:4
“As for Me, behold, My Covenant is with thee and thou shalt be a father of many nations.” Genesis 17:4
In the third revelation of His Name, YAHVEH Almighty revealed Himself to Abram as YAHVEH El-Shaddai. At the age of 99, “ADONAI appeared to Abram and said unto him, I am the Almighty YAHVEH; walk before Me and be thou perfect. And I will make My covenant between Me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly” (Genesis 17:1-2). Abram knew Him as YAHVEH through relationship and at the age of 99 he was about to experience a revelation of the Almighty YAHVEH El-Shaddai as YAHVEH’s promise was fulfilled: “Thou shalt be a father of many nations; I will make thee exceeding fruitful and I will make nations of thee and kings shall come out of thee” (Genesis 17:4, 6). When Abraham was an old man and Sarah’s womb was dead, YAHVEH said, “In one year, when you’re a hundred years old and you’re not good for anything, I’ll perform the miracle. I’m El-Shaddai.” And the seed came after the revelation of YAHVEH El-Shaddai: the Supplier, the Nourisher, the All-Sufficient One. Abraham did not know the revelation of YAHVEH El-Shaddai [the Supplier] until his body could not produce and death came to the flesh. YAHVEH made a covenant with Abram the moment he received the revelation, saying: “Your name is no longer Abram, you are now Abraham,” breathing in the mighty power of Ruach HaKodesh that began to produce the seed. Today in this age of grace we know Him in His fullness as YAHVEH, yet the fullness is not only found in the Name YAHVEH, but also in the Name that follows as El-Shaddai and He reveals Himself as our Nourisher and supplier when the flesh is no longer in the way.
4. YAHVEH: MY ADONAI, MY MASTER --- GENESIS 18:3
“And said, my ADONAI, if now I have found favour in Thy sight, pass not away, I pray Thee, from Thy servant:” Genesis 18:4
We find an example of the fourth revelation of YAHVEH’s Name Adonai in Genesis 18. As Abraham was sitting in the doorway of his tent at noontime with the sun beating down upon him, he saw the shadow of three men approaching. Bowing himself to the ground, Abraham called out, “My ADONAI” (Hebrew: Adonai, meaning my Master, wholly thine). YAHVEH reveals His will to those who know Him as Adonai. Up to this time Abraham did not have a full understanding of YAHVEH’s will. That’s why he tried to help YAHVEH accomplish the promise to make him the father of many nations when he took Hagar as a wife. The moment Abraham calls Him Adonai, Genesis 18:17 records: “And ADONAI said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do,” referring to what YAHVEH was about to do in Sodom. When Abraham addressed Him as Adonai, he was actually saying, “You’re my Master” and YAHVEH responded by revealing His plan for Sodom and what was about to happen. As YAHVEH’s servant and partner, “Abraham drew near, and said, “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:23). Abraham began to intercede for Sodom and Gomorrah. Great intercessors are born in intimate fellowship with YAHVEH. As Abraham drew near, he experienced intimacy with YAHVEH Almighty and became an intercessor.
5. YAHVEH YIREH: MY PROVIDER --- GENESIS 22:8
“And Abraham said, my son, YAHVEH will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:8
YAHVEH’s promise was fulfilled to Abraham and Isaac was born. Imagine the joy Abraham experienced as he watched his son grow. Then one day Abraham heard YAHVEH say, “Take thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2). Abraham did not hesitate but obeyed YAHVEH’s command. “And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his ass and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son and clave the wood for the burnt offering and rose up and went unto the place of which YAHVEH had told him” (Genesis 22:3). After travelling for three days, they finally saw the land of Moriah (meaning: mountains of provision) in the distance. Abraham told the two young men, “Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you” (22:5). Then Abraham and Isaac set off together, Isaac carrying the wood for the burnt offering and Abraham carrying the fire in one hand and a knife in the other.
As they walked along Isaac said, “Father, I see the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Because Abraham knew YAHVEH intimately as his Provider, he responded with a glorious revelation. “My son, YAHVEH YIREH will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (22:8) speaking of redemption. The Hebrew suggests two meanings: “YAHVEH shall be seen” and “Provider”. The revelation contained in Abraham’s response is glorious! When Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb?” Abraham was actually saying, “YAHVEH shall be seen!” In that moment I believe Abraham had a vision of HaMashiach on the cross for the place where Isaac was offered (land of Moriah) is where HaMashiach was crucified. This is confirmed in John 8:56 as Yeshua was walking toward the mountains of Moriah which is Golgotha in Jerusalem when He said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad.” Abraham had a vision of the provision that was to come as he saw HaMashiach on the cross. Provision is impossible without possession.
6. YAHVEH ROPHE: MY HEALER --- EXODUS 15:26
“And said, if thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of ADONAI thy YAHVEH 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 your ADONAI that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26
How amazing it is to realize that each of these revelations appears in such perfect order in the Word of YAHVEH under the inspiration of Ruach HaKodesh, for to know Him as YAHVEH Rophe, your Healer, you must first know Him as your YAHVEH, your Avi (Father), your Supply, your Master and Adonai and your Provider. When you see the Lamb as your Provider, healing comes as YAHVEH Rophe is revealed. The sixth revelation of His Name is YAHVEH Rophe, my Healer. This revelation came through Moses to the children of Israel as they were freed from the bondage of Egypt. When they came to the waters of Marah, the Israelites found that the water was bitter and unsuitable for drinking. As they complained, Moses “cried unto ADONAI; and ADONAI showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There he made for them a statute and an ordinance and there he proved them. And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of ADONAI thy YAHVEH and wilt do that which is right in His sight and will 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 YAHVEH that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:25-26). This is the key. The moment we see HaMashiach as provision through redemption, we see healing.
The word provision is connected to redemption. When Abraham said, “YAHVEH will provide Himself the Lamb,” he was speaking of redemption. While the sinner may receive healing because of grace, the believer receives healing because of his covenant relationship. Abraham and Moses both experienced the revelation of Who YAHVEH is through a revelation of His Name, yet there was one great difference. Abraham knew the Name, but Moses knew what the Name could do! He witnessed the power of YAHVEH’s Name in Egypt when the gods of Egypt bowed, when Pharaoh bowed and when the plagues descended upon the Egyptians. A glorious demonstration of that power was manifested when 430 years of captivity came to an end for the children of Israel. With the wealth of Egypt in hand, three million slaves were delivered from bondage as they saw the power of the Name YAHVEH demonstrated! Many individuals today only know YAHVEH as Elohim. They have never met YAHVEH or experienced a revelation of Who He is through a covenant relationship. The covenant begins with the knowledge of YAHVEH.
7. YAHVEH NISSI: MY VICTORY --- EXODUS 17:15
“And Moses built an altar and called the Name of it YAHVEH NISSI:” Exodus 17:15
As the revelation of who YAHVEH is continues, the moment He becomes our Healer, we experience the next revelation: YAHVEH Nissi, My Victory. This revelation of YAHVEH’s Name is found in Exodus 17 following Israel’s conflict with the Amalekites. A descendant of Esau named Amalek led an attack on the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses told Joshua to organize the mighty men of Israel for battle on the following day, promising to stand on the mountaintop and petition YAHVEH for victory with the rod of YAHVEH in hand while Israel faced Amalek in battle. The following day Joshua did as Moses had commanded, leading Israel into battle while Moses stood atop the mountain with the rod of YAHVEH extended as he prayed for victory. The Bible tells us that as long as Moses lifted up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed in the battle. When he grew tired and let down his hands however, Amalek began to triumph.
After several hours Moses became exhausted. Unable to hold his hands up any longer, he sat down on a rock. Aaron and Hur, who had climbed the mountain with him, came to his aid and held up his hands and with one on each side of him, they steadied his hands until the sun went down. As soon his hands were lifted up again, Joshua and his band of warriors defeated the Amalekites. Moses built an altar to commemorate the victory, for ADONAI said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in a book and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it YAHVEH-NISSI” (Exodus 17:14-15). In this revelation of YAHVEH’s Name as YAHVEH Nissi (my Victory) we see YAHVEH’s power displayed as He brings victory in defence of His people.
8. YAHVEH M’KADDESH: MY SANCTIFIER --- LEVITICUS 20:7-8
“Sanctify yourselves therefore and be ye holy: for I am ADONAI your YAHVEH. And ye shall keep My statutes and do them: I am yourADONAI which sanctify you.” Leviticus 20:7-8
Another glorious revelation of YAHVEH’s Name is found in Leviticus 20:7-8. Here He is revealed as YAHVEH M’Kaddesh, My Sanctifier, the One who takes me out of sin into holiness, out of bondage into liberty, out of filth into righteousness. “Sanctify yourself therefore, and be ye holy: for I am ADONAI your YAHVEH. And ye shall keep My statutes and do them: I am ADONAI which sanctify you.” (Leviticus 20:7-8) In Genesis YAHVEH reveals sin, in Exodus He reveals redemption and in Leviticus He reveals sanctification. As you and I choose to follow YAHVEH’s example of holiness, we become more like Him. Sanctification sets you apart for service, bringing you into a new dimension of ministry in your life and into the next revelation of YAHVEH’s Name: YAHVEH Shalom.
9. YAHVEH SHALOM: MY PEACE --- JUDGES 6:24
“Then Gideon built an altar there unto ADONAI and called it YAHVEH SHALOM: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” Judges 6:24
The next revelation of YAHVEH’s Name is demonstrated through the life of Gideon. After Israel’s miraculous liberation from Egypt, they soon forgot that ADONAI had rescued them from the bondage of the Egyptians. As the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, they met with opposition from the Midianites. Because the Midianites didn’t have enough men to wage war on their own, they often formed coalitions with people from the surrounding area, making them a formidable foe. YAHVEH commanded Gideon to lead Israel into battle against the Midianites, adding this promise, “Surely I will be with thee and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man” (6:16). Unaware of whom he was in YAHVEH, the words Gideon spoke revealed the unbelief in his heart when he said, “If I have found grace in Thy sight, then show me a sign” (6:17). When YAHVEH revealed Himself as YAHVEH Shalom to Gideon, fear and unbelief vanished as his life was filled with peace when he obeyed YAHVEH. “Then Gideon built an altar there unto ADONAI and called it YAHVEH-Shalom” (Judges 6:24).
Shortly after Gideon experienced the revelation of YAHVEH Shalom, My Peace, Gideon led 300 men to a supernatural victory over the Midianites. This victory was long remembered in Hebrew history. The kind of peace that stilled Gideon’s troubled heart was supernaturally given by YAHVEH, driving out fear and unbelief: “And let the peace of YAHVEH rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). It was beyond human understanding as the scriptures declare, “And the peace of YAHVEH, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Yeshua HaMashiach” (Philippians 4:7). This is only possible as you and I come to know ADONAI as YAHVEH Shalom and when this happens, we will discover the tenth revelation of YAHVEH’s Name: YAHVEH Tsidkenu, My Righteousness.
10. YAHVEH TSIDKENOU: MY RIGHTEOUSNESS --- JEREMIAH 23:5-6
“Behold, the days come, saith ADONAI, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His Name whereby He shall be called, ADONAI OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:5-6
Throughout eternity we will continue to make new discoveries about our Infinite YAHVEH. When we experience YAHVEH’s peace through a revelation of YAHVEH as YAHVEH Shalom, we will walk into the next revelation of YAHVEH’s Name: YAHVEH Tsidkenu, My Righteousness. “Behold, the days come, saith ADONAI, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall well safely: and this is His Name whereby he shall be called, ADONAI OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Through this revelation we recognize that righteousness is impossible without YAHVEH, for Adonai is our righteousness. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of YAHVEH in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This revelation of YAHVEH’s Name prepares us for the intimacy we discover in Him as YAHVEH Rohi, My Shepherd.
11. YAHVEH ROHI: MY SHEPHERD --- PSALM 23
“ADONAI is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of ADONAI for ever.” Psalm 23
Psalm 23:1 is perhaps one of the most familiar of all the psalms and begins with this often-quoted verse: “ADONAI is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” No other revelation of YAHVEH’s Name conveys such tender intimacy and fellowship as YAHVEH Rohi, meaning My Shepherd. The word Rohi means to feed, to lead. This describes much of what a shepherd’s duties and responsibilities are toward his sheep. Some interesting facts about sheep that apply to both the natural and spiritual realms include the following:
1. Sheep respond to the shepherd’s voice.
The voice of the shepherd brings comfort and security to the sheep. Yeshua said, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
2. Sheep get lost easily.
While grazing, sheep can wander away from the flock. When they go astray, the shepherd goes after the one that was lost and brings it back into the flock. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;” (Isaiah 53:6).
3. Sheep become restless.
There are three major reasons why sheep become restless: hunger, bugs and the presence of goats.
• Hunger: Sheep can graze peacefully for hours, but they become restless when there is a lack of food. In the Spirit realm, spiritual hunger occurs when the Word of YAHVEH is lacking. The Bible makes this statement about the Good Shepherd, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2).
• Bugs: An insect exists in the Middle East that torments sheep by landing on the sheep’s head and making a nest there. If it remains undetected by the shepherd, it will multiply and eventually it can even cause blindness in the sheep. To eliminate the problem and keep the bugs off the sheep, shepherds rub olive oil on the sheep’s head. In scripture the devil is called Beelzebub (the lord of the flies). In the Spirit realm, bugs are symbolic of demons. The anointing of Ruach HaKodesh protects us from being harassed by demons.
• Goats: When allowed to infiltrate the flock, goats steal the sheep’s food and cause strife among the sheep. Spiritually, the “goats” (carnal Christians) in the church have no commitment to that body of believers. They simply come to steal the spiritual food and cause strife before moving on to other pastures.
When YAHVEH Rohi is revealed to us, Our Shepherd brings us into another glorious revelation of YAHVEH’s Name as YAHVEH Shammah where we discover the ever-present glory and abiding presence of YAHVEH!
12. YAHVEH SHAMMAH: ADONAI IS THERE --- EZEKIEL 48:35
“It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, ADONAI is there.” Ezekiel 48:35
The final revelation of YAHVEH’s Name that we are going to look into is YAHVEH Shammah meaning “ADONAI is there.” This glorious revelation deals with the abiding presence of YAHVEH and is revealed through the prophet Ezekiel. As a 25-year-old exile in Babylon, Ezekiel prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem eleven years before judgment fell on the city. Years later and still residing among the Babylonians, he began to prophesy about the restoration of YAHVEH’s glory, describing a temple and city of the future in which the glory of YAHVEH shall abide forever, declaring: “and the name of the city from that day shall be, ADONAI is there” (Ezekiel 48:35). When YAHVEH is our Shepherd, He leads us into the grandeur and glory of His abiding presence to dwell with Him forever as YAHVEH Shammah: ADONAI is there. As we discover who YAHVEH is through each revelation of His Name, deep calleth unto deep and we begin to discover the ultimate purpose for which we exist: to know our magnificent, unfathomable, mighty YAHVEH in all His power and glory forever and ever. |
