Tue, Nov 29th - 9:51PM
WHO IS THIS GOD?
Our next name of God appears for us in Genesis 15:2, "And Abram said, LORD God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?" The Hebrew word here is Adon, Adonai. The primary meaning is Master, and it is applied in the Old Testament scriptures both to Deity and to man. The latter occasions are distinguished in the English versions by the omission of the capital. In its application to man, the word is used of two relationships: master and husband (Genesis 24:9-10, 12 and 18:12). Both of these relationships exist between Christ Jesus and believers (John 13:13 and II Corinthians 11:2-3).
We see two principles that belong in this relation of master and servant: (1) the Master's right to implicit obedience "You call Me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet (John 13:13-14)." "Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant(Matthew 23:10-11)." "And why call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say (Luke 6:46)?" Here we can see the Master's right to expect total obedience. Anyone who alleges that they are a Christian and do not obey Christ's sayings simply demonstrates their disobedience as a servant of the Most High God. Christians are not considered to be masters, but we all are servants of our Master, Jesus Christ. At least in the Church of the Brethren denomination we all practice feet washing as obedient servants of God.
"And Moses said to the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before, nor since You have spoken to Your servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said to him, Who has made man's mouth? or who makes the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord (Exodus 4:10-11)?" Moses clearly feels his weakness and incompetency. We find here first of all, Jehovah and then Adonai, being used in verse 10. Since service was in question, Moses appropriately addresses Jehovah as Lord. But then power comes into question, and it is not the Lord (Adonai) but Jehovah (God) who answers by referring to creation power. This same distinction appears in Joshua 7:8-11. It is this distinction which we frequently lose completely today. We fail to comprehend that God will provide us with the words to speak to the unbelievers, and to the believers when teaching them to be disciples of the Most High God.
Looking back at Genesis 15:2, notice "Lord God." In Hebrew this is Adonai Jehovah. This compound name when used distinctively gathers both special meanings into one, and it seems to emphasize the Adonai rather than the Jehovah character of Deity. Looking down at verses seven and eight it is seen that "I am" is presented to Abram in a reminder of who brought him from out of Ur to receive an inheritance. This same approach is used by God with Moses in preparing him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt to receive their inheritance. There are other instances that you can read on your own: Deuteronomy 3:24; 9:26; Joshua 7:7; Judges 6:22; II Samuel 7:18-20; Psalm 69:6; Isaiah 7:7.
That is all for today beloved. Next time I shall write about El Shaddai. May Christ richly bless you, and provide for all of your needs. Be reconcilors and peacemakers each day.
~Eric
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Thu, Nov 24th - 12:10PM
WHO IS THIS GOD?
I am squeezing a post in today before dinner and guests are upon me. The next name of God is presented to us in Genesis 14:18, "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine and he was the priest of the most high God." This name of God is given to us several more times in the ensuing verses, three times to be exact. In Hebrew "most high God" is El Elyon. "Elyon" means simply the highest. The initial revelation of this name indicates its distinctive meanings. Abram upon returning from his convincing victory over the confederated kings (verses 1-17) is met by Melchizedek who is identified as "priest of the most high God." This man blesses Abram in the name of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth. This revelation of God impressed Abram to the point of him giving tithes of all of the spoils of his recent battles and then refusing to accept anything from the king of Sodom.
Significantly Jehovah is known to a Gentile king by the name "most high God of heaven and earth." Melchizedek is also the priest of Jehovah. Over in the book of Deuteronomy we can find that "the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam"(32:8). Being the possessor of heaven and earth it was God's prerogative to distribute the earth among the nations according to whatever principle He chose. That principle is declared in Deuteronomy 32:8. This name of God appears in Daniel 3:26; 4:17,24,24,32,34,35; 5:18,21.
By implication the possessor of heaven and earth has and exercises authority in both of these spheres. I give you the scriptural references to check out on your own. The heavenly authority of El Elyon: Daniel 4:35,37; Isaiah 14:13-14; Matthew 28:18. the earthly authority of El Elyon: Psalm 9:2-5; 21:7; 47:2-4; 56:2-3; 82:6,8; 83:16-18; 91:9-12; II Samuel 22:14-15; Daniel 5:18. We are not to fool ourselves into thinking that God only exerts His authority in heaven and has nothing to do with events here on earth. The Most High God rules the entire universe, that which we can see, and that which we can't see. Everything that is created is under His Kingship and answers ultimately to only Him. Even Satan must answer to God. Satan has been allowed limited freedom to act as he wills, and only for a limited time before even he comes under final judgment by the Most High God.
I hope and pray that everyone is able to enjoy a time of thanksgiving this day. Be thankful for what you do have, and not ungracious to those who appear to have more than you. Be generous with what God has blessed you with, and share with others cheerfully. Grace and peace always be with you where ever you go.
~Eric
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Mon, Nov 21st - 6:56PM
WHO IS THIS GOD?
Jehovah is also the distinctive name of Deity as in covenant with Israel. "And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;(Exodus 19:3)" It is very important to see that Jehovah reminded the people that previously they had been the objects of His free grace; that the law is not proposed as simply a means of life, but as a means by which Israel might become "a peculiar treasure" and a "kingdom of priests." Jehovah also reminded them that the law was not imposed until it had been proposed and voluntarily accepted by them. This principle is stated in Galatians 5:1-4, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say to you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect to you, whosoever of you are justified by the law: you are fallen from grace." We find this also in Exodus 20:1-2, "And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This all is to lead us into considering the first of the compound names of Deity.
LORD God (Hebrew Jehovah Elohim) is the first of these compound names. LORD God is used distinctively: (a) Of the relation of God to man as Creator (Genesis 2:7-15); as morally in authority over man (Genesis 2:16-17); as creating and governing the earthly relationships of man (Genesis 2:18-24; 3:16-19, 22-24); and as redeeming man (Genesis 3:8-15,21). It is also used distinctively of the relation of Deity to Israel (Genesis 24:7; 28:13; Exodus 3:15,18; 4:5; 5:1;7:6, etc.)
In the first use of this compound name in Genesis 2 we find the act of creating man from the dust of the ground. Science verifies that all of the elements and molecules composing our bodies are found in the dirt of our planet. It also provides man with purpose and service in life. Jehovah meant for each of us to serve Him in being good stewards of this planet created explicitly for us. We also discover in this initial passage from chapter two a very basic command given to man by God: You can eat of every tree found in the garden except the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is here in the following chapter that we find the Adamic Covenant which conditions the life of fallen mankind---conditions which must remain in place until, in the kingdom age, the creation shall also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God (Romans 8:21).
This God of ours provides in Genesis the very beginning of the chain of references which includes the promises and prophecies concerning Christ which were fulfilled in His birth and works at His first advent. In cursing Satan's presence in the serpent, God begins revealing what the ultimate solution to sin will be: Christ's sacrifice upon a wooden Roman cross outside of the holy city's gates. The serpent was Satan's tool and becomes God's illustration in nature of the effects of sin---from the most beautiful and subtle of creatures to a loathsome reptile doomed to slither around on its belly. The atonement for sin is intimated here as a deep mystery. Christ, made sin for us, in bearing our judgment, is typified by the brazen serpent in Numbers 21:5-9, and spoken of in reference in John 3:14-15 and II Corinthians 5:21. Brass speaks of judgment, as in the brazen altar of God's judgment, and in the brass laver of self-judgment.
We also find that "this God" reveals to us the first promise of a Redeemer in verse 15. This then begins the official highway of the Seed which is traceable through the entire Old Testament and on into the New Testament. We can therefore seek out signs about Christ all through the scriptures as this scarlet thread of redemption is of paramount importance to the salvation of man.
Finally, we find here the changed state of the woman (verse 16). This change is in three particulars: multiplied conception; motherhood linked with sorrow; and the headship of the man. The entrance of sin, which is disorder, made necessary a headship, and it is vested in man (I Timothy 2:11-14; Ephesians 5:22-25; and I Corinthians 11:7-9).
This God of ours also reveals to us four other things. That the earth is cursed for man's sake. That there will be the inevitable sorrow of life. That the pleasant occupation of Eden is changed to burdensome labor. And that physical death is now a reality, as is spiritual death. These revelations so early in the Bible provide us with the reasons as to why people act the way they do, why we labor so hard, why there is contagious disease to afflict us, and why our climate becomes so hostile to us.
That is all for today beloved. Next time I shall begin with another compound name of God, El Elyon, or "the most high God." Grace and peace be yours as you prepare for a day of thanksgiving later this week.
~Eric
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Mon, Nov 14th - 8:05PM
WHO IS THIS GOD?
In God's redemptive relation to mankind, Jehovah has seven compound names which reveal Him as meeting every need of man from his lost state to the end. These compound names are: (1) Jehovah-jireh, which means "the Lord will provide" (Genesis 22:13-14), as in He will provide a sacrifice; (2) Jehovah-rapha, which means "the Lord that heals" (Exodus 15:26). The context shows that this refers to physical healing, but the deeper healing of soul-sickness is implied. (3) Jehovah-nissi, means "the Lord our banner" (Exodus 17:8-15). This name is interpreted by the context. The enemy was Amalek, a "type" of the carnal flesh, and the conflict that day stands for the conflict of Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary one to the other: so that you can't do the things that you would do." This is the war of the flesh against the Spirit and victory is due completely to divine assistance. (4) Jehovah-Shalom, means "the LORD our peace," or "the LORD send peace" (Judges 6:12-24). In that chapter of Judges almost the whole ministry of Jehovah finds expression and illustration. Jehovah hates and judges sin (verses 1-5); Jehovah loves and saves sinners (verses 7-18), but only through sacrifice (verses 19-21)(See also Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2;14; Colossians 1;20). (5) Jehovah-ra-ah, means "the LORD my shepherd"(Psalm 23). As can be seen Jehovah makes peace by the blood of the cross in Psalm 22; in Psalm 23 Jehovah is shepherding His own who are out in the world. This is echoed in John 10:7, "Then said Jesus to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." This shepherd work of our Lord Jesus Christ has three aspects: (1) as the "Good" Shepherd He gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11), and is therefore, "the door" by which "if any man enter in he shall be saved" (John 10:9). This then answers to Psalm 22. (2) He is the "Great" Shepherd, "brought again from the dead" (Hebrews 13:20), to care for and make perfect the "sheep." This then answers Psalm 23. (3) He is the "Chief" Shepherd who is coming in glory to give crowns of reward to the faithful ministers of peace and reconciliation (I Peter 5:4). This then answers Psalm 24. (6) Jehovah- tsidkenu, means "the LORD our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6). This name of Jehovah occurs in a prophecy concerning the future restoration and conversion of Israel. At that time, Israel will hail Him as Jehovah-tsidkenu, "the LORD of our righteousness." (7) Jehovah-shammah, means "the LORD is present" (Ezekiel 48:35). This name of Jehovah signifies His abiding presence with His people (Exodus 33:14-15; I Chronicles 16:27,33; Psalm 16:11; 97:5; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5.).
Next time I am going to delve into the first of the compound names of Deity. Hope you gain some greater understanding of who this God is that we choose to serve obediently and in love. Grace and peace be with you all!
~Eric
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Mon, Nov 7th - 8:00PM
WHO IS THIS GOD?
In the book of Genesis we find immediately this divine Being who claims to have created our universe from out of nothingness. We are told about the "beginning." We are also given the name of this Being, "God." This is the English form of the Hebrew word from which it is translated from, Elohim. Sometimes this Hebrew word appears as El or Elah but it is the first of the three primary names of Deity, it is a uni-plural noun formed from El = strength, or the strong one, and Alah = to swear, to bind oneself by an oath, so implying faithfulness. This uni-plurality implied in this name is directly asserted in Genesis 1:26(plurality), verse 27(unity); in Genesis 3:22 we see plurality being voiced once again. So the Trinity is latent in Elohim. In utilizing the meaning as the Strong One it is fitly used in the first chapter of Genesis and appears in usage throughout the Old Testament around 2500 times. In chapter two of Genesis we can find in verse four this: "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens (2:4)." The primary meaning of the name LORD (Jehovah) is "the self-existent One." Literally, "He that is who He is, therefore the eternal I AM." But that is not all. Havah from which Jehovah, or Yahwe, is formed, signifies also "to become," which is to become known, pointing to a continuous and increasing self-revelation. By combing these meanings of Havah, we arrive at the meaning of the name Jehovah. He is "the self-existent One who reveals Himself." This name is an advance upon the name El, Elah, Elohim, which suggests certain attributes/characteristics of Deity, such as strength, etc., rather than His essential being. We must take note of the significance that the first occurance of the name Jehovah in Scripture follows the creation of man. It was Elohim who said, "let us make man in our image (Genesis 1:26);" but when man in the second chapter of Genesis is to fill the world and become dominant over creation, it is the LORD God (Jehovah Elohim) who acts. This indicates a special relation of Deity, in His Jehovah character, to man, and all Scripture emphasizes this relationship. We can also discover that Jehovah is distinctly the redemption name of Deity. When sin entered creation and redemption became necessary, it was Jehovah Elohim who sought the sinning ones, "And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat (Genesis 3:9-13)." In verse thirteen we discover Jehovah Elohim responding to Adam and Eve's sinful behavior. Deity clothes them with "coats of skins" (Genesis 3:21), a beautiful type of a righteousness provided by the LORD God through sacrifice (Romans 3:21,22). The first distinct revelation of Himself by His name Jehovah was in connection with the redemption of the covenant people out of Egypt (Exodus 3:13-17). As Redeemer, emphasis is laid upon those attributes of Jehovah which the sin and salvation of mankind brings to the forefront. These are: (a) His holiness (Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:1-2; 20:26; Habbukuk 1:12-13); (b) His hatred and judgment of sin (Deuteronomy 32:35-42; Genesis 6:5-7; Psalm 11:4-6; 66:18; Exodus 34:6-70; (c) His love for and redemption of sinners, but always righteously (Genesis 3:21; 8:20-21; Exodus 12:12-13; Leviticus 16:2-3; Isaiah 53:5-6,10). Salvation from sin by Jehovah apart from sacrifice is completely unknown to Scripture. That is all for today beloved. Next time I shall cover the redemptive names of Jehovah which further reveal Him to mankind. Until then, may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless you and keep you from sin. Grace and peace be yours. ~Eric
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Thu, Nov 3rd - 8:49PM
BASIC ELEMENTS OF HUMAN LIFE
I must remain very clear that the exercise of the spirit is not only in prayer and touching the Word of God, but in everything. If I do not have any sense in the spirit, then I need to stop what I am about to do and stop what I am about to say. My only consideration ought to be, "Am I in the Spirit or in the soul? Am I doing this on my own or by the Lord?" By the Lord is being used quite subjectively here. I am referring to Him as the life-giving Holy Spirit interacting with my spirit. I must use my spiritual nature at all times and in all places. Knowing the difference between the body and the soul is quite easy, but discerning the spirit from the soul is rather difficult. The soul often is clouded by emotions and thoughts which influence our will to choose. If I happen to meet an attractive woman who intrigues me my mind will immediately have thoughts. My emotions will immediately begin to impact my body. My will may even choose to approach this woman with the thought in mind to begin an overt affair. However, deep within me there will arise a sense that I ought not to do this. This sense comes from my spirit, the innermost part of my whole being. Christians mostly spend their time considering what is right or what is wrong. If something is wrong, we ought not do it, but if something is right, we must do it. But this is not the way of Christ. Right and wrong comes from the teaching of religion. If we act according to the way of religion, then Jesus Christ is of no value. Experiencing Christ and His salvation is completely different from religion. It is a matter of living and doing things in the soul or in the spirit. It is a question of Christ or self, spirit or soul. In all four Gospels Christ Jesus repeatedly said to deny the self and lose the soul with its soulish life (Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:23-25; John 12:25). Then in the epistles we are told over and over to walk, live, pray, and do everything in the spirit (Acts 17:16; Romans 1:9; 12:11; I Corinthians 16:18; I Peter 3:4; Ephesians 6:18; Revelation 1;100. Therefore, it is quite obvious we must constantly remain in the spirit. Each time that I exercise my spirit the Holy Spirit is free to move and to flow through me. But Satan understands that if I release my spirit he will be defeated in his plans for me. So I have become a battlefield, I am in the midst of spiritual warfare. Satan subtly strikes the strategic point of choking the spirit of the saints. As long as Satan is able to choke our spirit, we are finished and he is successful. It is imperative therefore that we fight the good fight. It requires us to learn to practice releasing our spirit over to God. We must refrain from grasping our spirit to ourselves and refusing to allow God authority in our life-decisions. The bottom line in all of this is that we must first realize that Christ is the Spirit in our spirit. Then we must know the difference between the spirit and the soul by denying the soulish self and submitting to the Lord in our spirit. When we cooperate with our spirit in this fashion, Christ will have first place in everything that we think, do, and say. This way we experience Christ in our spirit, and we will learn how to apply Him and experience Him in all things. That is all for tonight beloved. This completes this particular study. I will be embarking upon a series of separate topics which should aid in shedding some light upon things which cause many people either confusion or miscomprehension. The first topics will be coming from out of the book of Genesis, beginning with Elohim. Hope that you continue to return and learn more about God and how He wants us to live. Grace and peace be with you all! ~Eric
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Wed, Nov 2nd - 10:45PM
BASIC ELEMENTS OF HUMAN LIFE
How do I know that exercising myself unto godliness means to exercise my spirit? I must consider it from a logical standpoint. Paul spoke of two kinds of gymnastics: one is the exercise of the body, but the other is the exercise of the spirit. It is not the exercise of the mind for I have been involved in that aspect all through my elementary school years, my junior and senior highschool years, my college years, and most of my adult life afterwards. Therefore the only aspect of myself which has remained untrained, unexercised, is my spirit. As a Christian, it is not a matter of what I am going to do, but how I am going to do it. Am I acting by the body, by the soul, or by the spirit? Too many brothers and sisters of faith simply are failing to use their spirit. They rely upon their mind, emotion, will, or their physical body, but not their spirit. I may pray, talk, argue, read the Bible, reason, debate, and discuss; but it is mostly by exercising my soul. Quoting Scripture comes from my soul. I must come back to my spirit. When I approach God in prayer, or come to the Word of God to find answers, I must reject my soulish life and turn to my spirit in order to contact and fellowship with Him. I can't ever meet Christ through the use of my mind or emotions or will. Christ is in my spirit and not my soul. He says so in the Bible. Only by using my spirit will I therefore be able to meet with Him. Does this mean that I can jettison my other faculties as a Christian? Heaven forbid! They are given to me by God for good reason, to be used for His glory. But Christ's demand is that I give up the corrupted, Adamic mind, emotion, and will, as the center of my life and let the life of Christ in my spirit gain utter control of my being. Those other aspects of myself were damaged to such an extent that the natural man can never contact God or fellowship with Him. "But a soulish man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God (I Corinthians 2:14)." It is why I need the new birth in my spirit as spoken of in John 3:6-7. Before salvation I was completely fallen. I lived in and by this fallen, soulish life. I was totally opposed to God. I must learn to never do anything on the basis of this fallen life ever again, but to live completely by the divine life which is now in my spirit. From this point forward I must never take my fallen life as my source of living, but from the divine life in my spirit. I have to realize that it is not the mind, emotion, and will that must be rejected; rather, it is the life of the soul that I must give up. It is this natural, soulish life which has already been nailed to the cross by Christ (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6) and I must now take Christ as my life. All the while the faculties of my soul remain as instruments to be used by the Holy Spirit to express God Himself through me. Heavy stuff, all of that. Take some time to ponder the ramifications of it all. Read the Scripture verses and find some others which also speak to this entire matter. I will post some more tomorrow. Grace and peace be yours! ~Eric
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Name: E J Rajaniemi
