Luningning's Site

The Benefits of Being in God’s Family
by Rick Warren

Since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you. Galatians 4:7 (NLT)

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THE NAMES OF GOD

Chapter #8

Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord Is There

Ezekiel 48:35

With the eye of inspired prophecy, Ezekiel looked beyond all the struggles, trials, heartaches, and bitter tears which must be endured by God’s elect in this world. He looked beyond satan’s fury and the world’s opposition to the church’s conquest and final triumph, in the last chapter of his prophecy, the Holy Spirit moved Ezekiel to describe the fullness and completion of God’s church, his Holy City. When the end comes, all God’s elect shall be saved; the Holy City shall be fully inhabited. Ezekiel describes it in these words: "It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is There." Ezekiel’s final word is this: The name of God’s church, the New Jerusalem, shall be Jehovah-Shammah: "The Lord is There."

When Ezekiel measured the city of his vision, he tells us that its circumference is eighteen thousand measures, which is thirty-two thousand miles. He is telling us that the City of God is perfect, exact and exceeding large. But the figure is not to be taken literally. Obviously, Ezekiel is not talking about a literal city. He is talking about the latter day glory of God’s Church, the New Jerusalem, when our God shall make all things new. A large city it will be. It will be a city whose inhabitants are gathered from the four corners of the earth, elect, redeemed sinners out of every nation, kindred, tribe and tongue, a multitude which no man can number. And the name of that city is: Jehovah-Shammah: "The Lord Is There."

The church, the City of God, is given many names in the Scriptures. Jeremiah tells us that it shall be called, "The Lord our Righteousness" (33:16). Isaiah tells us that the Church of God shall be called "Hephzibah," which means, "The Lord’s Delight" and "Beulah," which means, "Married to the Lord" (62:4). Again the prophet Isaiah tells us that the church of God shall be called, "The Holy People," "The Redeemed of the Lord," "Sought Out," and "A City not Forsaken" (62:12). The apostle Paul calls the Church "Jerusalem which is above" (Gal. 4:26), "Mount Zion," "The City of the Living God," and "The Heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb. 12:22). When the apostle John saw the final glory of the church, the Bride of Christ, the Lamb’s wife, he described it very much like Ezekiel. He called it "That Great City, The Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God" (Rev. 21:10-11). All of these names describe not a literal earthly city, but the church of God, that vast multitude who are chosen, redeemed and called by the grace of God. They do not describe God’s church as the world now sees it, but as God sees it, as it shall be in the end, as the world shall see it in the last day, and as it really is. Of all the names given to God’s church, none is more blessed than this: Jehovah-Shammah: the "Lord is There."

The blessedness and glory, happiness and security of God’s church on earth and in heaven is the presence of God with her. This name, Jehovah-Shammah, given to God’s Church means that God dwells with us, "The Lord is There." It is true, God is with all his creatures in a general way. He is everywhere at all times because he is omnipresent. And he is everywhere in a providential way, sovereignly accomplishing his purpose in all things. But when the Holy Spirit calls the church Jehovah-Shammah, he means for us to understand that "The Lord is there" in a special way to exercise his grace and power and make himself known. Therefore the Psalmist sang, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice: the earth melted. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" (Ps. 46:5-7). The prophet Zephaniah said, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee singing" (3:17). And the Lord himself declares, "I will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her" (Zech. 2:5). All of these things God has promised to his church as a whole. And that which is true of the whole body is true of every member of the body.

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH IS A NAME SUITABLE FOR GOD’S ORIGINAL CREATION, FOR THE LORD WAS THERE. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." In great patience, our glorious Creator took six days to make the world and all things in it. He was preparing a place where he might place man, a place where he and man might walk together in high, holy communion. God planted a garden eastward in Eden, well-watered and fertile. In that garden he gave man everything he could possibly need. Then God created man in his own image and after his own likeness. "And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." For Adam’s further happiness and satisfaction, God took one of Adam’s own ribs and made for man a woman, "and brought her to the man." The first wedding ceremony was performed by God himself. He brought the woman he had made and gave her to the man he had made.

The earth was a place of majesty, beauty, and splendor in those days. The slimy trail of the serpent had not yet marred the handiwork of God. Adam and Eve lived in happiness and holiness to the glory of God. Much could be said about that beautiful garden of innocence and bliss. One of these days, God is going to do it again. He will make a new heaven and a new earth, even superior to Eden. But the best, most glorious, most blessed thing that can be said of paradise is this: Adam and Eve "heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in whose image Adam was made, walked in the garden with Adam. God walked with man; and man walked with God. This was the highest bliss and glory of Eden. This was the great incomprehensible privilege and inexpressible happiness of Adam in his innocence - The Lord was There!

Though Adam fell, the Lord did not forsake his creation. God still came to his own and made himself known. Though he would destroy the world with a flood, he commanded Noah to build an ark. And the Lord was there with Noah in the ark. When Abraham and Isaac went up to worship upon Mt. Moriah, the Lord was there. When Jacob was fleeing from Esau, he saw a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. Christ met him in the desert and he called the place, "Bethel," the house of God, because the Lord was there. Wherever men and women met and worshipped God, wherever men were found in those ancient days who believed God, the Lord was there. I cannot here describe the Lord’s presence in the tabernacle in the wilderness, the land of Canaan, during the times of the Judges, the Kings, and the Prophets in Israel. I cannot here describe God’s presence in the temple, at the altar, in the most holy place and with the ark of the covenant. But some four thousand years after the fall of our father Adam, in a filthy cow stable, in the little Judean town of Bethlehem, a child was born, and the LORD was there.

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH IS A NAME MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THE MAN CHRIST JESUS. That one who was born at Bethlehem is "Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." That baby is God Almighty, wrapped up in a body of human flesh! That child who was born in Bethlehem, was and is the Son of God given to redeem fallen sinners. His name is Immanuel, God with us! Jesus Christ the man is Jehovah our God. And Jehovah-Jesus, is Jehovah-Shammah, for wherever Jesus Christ is, "The Lord is There." God was in Christ, for Christ is God. "In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in the body of that man who is our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. That man is God; and God is that man.

Throughout the thirty-three years of his earthly life, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. In all that he said, in all that he did, in all that he experienced, from the moment that he came into the virgin’s womb until the moment that he was seated in glory again, Christ Jesus was performing the work of our salvation. And wherever you see him, the name of that place is Jehovah-Shammah: "The Lord is There." When the baby comes forth from the womb, "The Lord is there," coming to save His covenant people (Heb. 10: 5-10; Matt. 1:21). When that baby was carried into the temple to be circumcised on the eighth day, the Lord was there, "made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law." In order to redeem us from the law’s curse, our Lord Jesus Christ must first fulfill the law’s commands. When that holy man was tempted in the wilderness, the Lord was there, both suffering from and overcoming the devil on our behalf. He learned obedience by the things he suffered (Heb. 5:8). Having been tempted like we are, yet without sin, he is able to help his tempted children (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:15-16). And the Lord was there, showing us how to overcome the tempter’s power by faith.

Throughout the course of His life, the Lord was there, establishing righteousness for us as a man, by which we might be forever accepted in his presence (Rom. 5:19). And when we see our Lord Jesus Christ hanging upon the cursed tree, suffering ignominious, horrible agony until at last he was dead, the name of that place called Calvary is Jehovah-Shammah, "the Lord is There" (II Cor. 5:21; Isa. 5:9-12). God was there punishing sin; and God was there being punished for sin. God was there satisfying his justice; and God was there upon whom justice was satisfied. God was there bruising the cursed one; and God was the cursed one being bruised. God was there forsaking the sufferer; and God was the sufferer forsaken. God was there pouring out the vials of his wrath and damnation; and God was there drinking wrath and damnation dry. God was there killing the sinner’s Substitute; and God was the sinner’s Substitute who died. I give you these things for your heart’s meditation. Yet, I have said nothing compared with all that might be said, should be said, and shall be said. One day soon, the Lord himself who was there shall tell us what he did and suffered. Then, but not until then, shall we know, how much we owe. Now we will turn from the scene of Calvary where the Lord suffered to consider those for whom he suffered.

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH IS A PROPER NAME FOR EVERY ELECT SINNER IN THE WORLD, BECAUSE WHEREVER YOU FIND ONE OF GOD’S ELECT, THE LORD IS THERE. Is Jehovah-Shammah the name of all God’s elect? Then certainly that is the name of each one of the elect multitude. The Lord is there before conversion in his marvelous prevenient grace, taking care of the chosen object of mercy and preparing the way for his saving grace (Hos. 2:8). The Lord is there at conversion in saving power, awakening the dead, giving faith, and turning the hearts of his chosen to Christ (Ezek. 16:6-8). The Lord is there in all the trials of his people (Isa. 63:9). He is always there to comfort, teach, deliver, and preserve the objects of his love. And when the time appointed comes for God’s elect to leave this world, the Lord is there (John 14:1-3). He will not leave his saints to fend for themselves in that last struggle. He will carry them safely through the shadow of death and into the realms of everlasting life.

THE NAME OF GOD’S CHURCH UPON THIS EARTH IS JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, FOR THE LORD IS THERE (Matt. 18:20; 28:20). Wherever you find the church of God, whether you look upon the whole church universally or consider individual, local assemblies of God’s saints, let it never be forgotten - "The Lord is There!" This is the security of God’s church in the face of all her adversaries and troubles. He that touches you touches the apple of his eye. This is the power of God’s church by which she carries on and succeeds in her labors. This is the peace and unity of the church. Find a church where the Lord is and you will find peace and unity. This is the happiness of God’s church in this world - "The Lord is There!" This is the beauty, the glory, and the attraction of God’s church -"The Lord is there!"

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH IS THE NAME OF GOD’S CHURCH IN HER EVERLASTING GLORY. There is a day soon coming when all God’s elect shall be gathered in. The City of God will be complete. The House of God will be full. Then cometh the end! Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. There will be a resurrection of the dead. The present heavens and earth shall be destroyed. Somewhere in there, the judgment seat will be set. Then our God shall make all things new. When all the things of time have passed away, when sin is no more, when satan is no more, when sorrow is no more, when time is no more, there shall yet be a City Foursquare, which shall cover all the earth. It is the church, the Bride of Christ, the Holy Jerusalem. And the glory of that City of this: "The Lord is there." The name of that City shall be Jehovah-Shammah: "The Lord is there!"

Don Fortner

Jehovah - Rophe - “The Lord Heals”

Exodus 15:25-26

The children of Israel had just come through some harrowing and glorious times. After 400 years they were free from the bondage of Egypt. The process had been turbulent. They watched plague after plague hit the Egyptians until the final one killing the firstborn male of every household and even striking the livestock. Then they were finally allowed to go by the Pharaoh.

Even after that Pharaoh changed his mind and followed them out to the Red Sea to try to force them to return. But God instructed Moses to extend his hand over the waters and they parted so that the Israelites crossed over on dry land. From the other side of the sea they saw with their own eyes what happened when the Egyptians tried to cross behind them. When they got to the middle, God had Moses stretch out his hand again and release the waters. The Egyptians drowned and were utterly destroyed.

What a party ensued. They sang a great song of joy to the Lord. They danced with timbrels in triumph because they had been saved from their enemies. Now they were ready to move forward free from enslavement. Free at last. But three days later they still had not found water and they cried out and complained. God was testing them. When Moses prayed, God provided the water and he also revealed something new to the people about himself.

"If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)

There it is; God reveals himself as Jehovah-Rophe for the first time to his covenant people. Do you wonder why he chose that particular time to reveal this part of his character? He didn't do it after a big healing service although he had just healed the bitter waters of Marah where they were camping. I think he did it in this timing to comfort his people and to give them hope for their future.

They must have been wondering; what kind of God are we serving? Notice how God says "I will put none of the disease on you which I have brought on the Egyptians." The Israelites must have been thinking in their hearts; look what Jehovah did to them, is he going to bring plagues on us too? They had seen the mighty power of God as he controlled the weather and the natural force of the sea. They saw that his judgments could be terrible; they believed in his awesomeness greatness, yes, but was there any other side to him?

The Lord wanted them to know that he wanted to be known as their healer. In fact, he was making a solemn pact with them so that they would always live in healing. All they had to do was remain faithful to him and his commands and they would remain free from diseases. As time went along, they of course did not keep their end of the bargain. But that did not stop God from continuing to reveal himself as healer. Ultimately, God poured out his desire to be healer through Jesus Christ. Listen to what the prophet Isaiah says would be the destiny of the Messiah:

"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Please note the present tense, "we ARE healed." His work on the cross paid the totally price for our healing once and for all. Do you need Jehovah-Rophe today? For your body? For you soul? For your mind? He is still in the healing business today and he is only a prayer away. Call upon him!

THE NAMES OF GOD

Lesson #5

Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Our Peace

Judges 6:22-24

Would you like to have peace? I mean real peace, peace in you heart and soul, peace of mind and peace of conscience. What would you give to have peace with God, to know that God has no quarrel with you? Would you like to be able to go to bed at night and sleep in peace, without anxiety and fear? Blessed is the man who is at peace with God!

How would you like to have peace in this world of strife? What would you give to have a happy, peaceful home, a home without strife, envy, jealousy, and fighting? Blessed is that man whose home is a castle of peace!

What about personal, inward peace? Would you like to have a peaceful, restful heart? Would you be interested in having the secret to a life of peace? Blessed is the man who lives in peace, who has a quiet, peaceful heart, even in the midst of trouble, trial, and heartache! If your heart is at peace, no outward circumstance can greatly disturb you. If your heart is peaceful, though your life may be turned upside down and pulled inside out, nothing really has power to cast you down. If peace is something you crave, this study will be of interest to you. The name of our God is Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Our Peace.

We find this name ascribed to him in Judges 6. Gideon was a man who longed for peace. Because the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord by worshipping at the altar of Baal, God delivered them into the hands of the Midianites. For seven years, Israel knew nothing but war. Like many of the other Jews, Gideon, the son of Joash, hid in a cave. He planted a small field of wheat by a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. Working his little patch of wheat, hiding in a lonely mountain cave, Gideon longed for peace.

This mighty man of valor knew that the only way of peace was reconciliation to God. He knew that Israel would never have peace until Israel returned to Jehovah, the true and living God. Israel did return. Because of God’s gracious chastisement, Israel was impoverished by the Midianites. When they came to their wits’ end," the children of Israel cried unto the Lord" (vs. 6). Then the Lord sent a prophet to his afflicted people with the promised of deliverance. God spoke by the prophet, and said, "I am the Lord your God; fear not" (vv. 7-10).

While Gideon worked his field one day, meditating upon the words of God’s prophet, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and assured him that God was with him and that by his hand God would deliver his people from the Midianites and establish peace in Israel (vv. 12, 14, 16). The Angel who appeared to him was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ himself. This angel of the Lord is the Mediator between God and men by whom peace would be accomplished. Gideon offered a sacrifice and worshipped God. Once God accepted his sacrifice and promised Gideon peace and life, he" built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-Shalom" (vv. 22-24). In Ephesians 2:14, the apostle Paul shows us plainly who it is that Gideon worshipped by this name. "For he (the Lord Jesus Christ) is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." Jehovah-Shalom is Jesus Christ, who is our Peace. Christ made peace, proclaimed peace, provided peace, and gives peace. But here is something even greater and more blessed - Christ is our Peace! He’s name is Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord our Peace.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS JEHOVAH-SHALOM, OUR PEACE WITH GOD. When God first made man in the Garden, there was perfect love, peace, and harmony between God and man. They walked together in the Garden and spoke as friends; but as soon as Adam sinned a quarrel began. Adam, by sin, broke the peace. Ever since that time there has been a quarrel between God and man

This quarrel between God and man is a mutual quarrel. God is angry with man; and man is angry with God (Zech. 11:8; Rom. 8:7). It is a universal quarrel. All the sons and daughters of Adam, without exception, are born as children of wrath by nature (Eph. 2:3). God is angry with men. Those who tell unregenerate, unbelieving men and women, or even children, that God loves them, make a terrible presumption that is without warrant in Holy Scripture. God is angry with the wicked everyday. God loves righteousness and hates iniquity; and all men, by nature, are iniquity. God only loves sinners in Christ and for Christ’s sake. In Christ, God is love. Out of Christ, God is a consuming fire. No one has any basis for thinking that God might love him until he believes on Christ. Our faith in Christ does not cause God to love us. It is the result and evidence of God’s love (I John 4:19; Heb. 11:1). However, until faith is exercised, fallen man has no basis for assuming that God loves him. Only the wrath of God abides upon the unbelieving (John 3:36). Furthermore, all men by nature hate God. Man’s heart, his understanding, his will, his mind, all are opposed to God. In the very fabric and essence of man’s being there is nothing but sin; and sin is nothing but hatred for God. This quarrel between man and God is a growing quarrel (Hos. 4:1-2). The increase of sin and rebellion increases the quarrel. On God’s part, it is a righteous quarrel. Our sins are a debt. We are taught to pray, "Forgive us our debts." Because of sin, we are indebted to God and God is indebted to us (Rom. 6:23). We owe him righteousness and satisfaction. He owes us wrath, judgment, and eternal death. Though we cannot pay our debt to God, he will most surely pay his debt to us (Deut. 7:10). Our sins are trespasses, as well as debts. The law of God was given as a hedge to keep us in, but we have broken the hedge, transgressed the law, robbed God and encroached upon him. And our sin is treason, high treason against the throne and dignity of almighty God. Sin is an affront to God’s majesty and glory. It defies him, despises him, and denies him. Like Pharaoh, every sinner says by his deeds, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice?" This quarrel on God’s part is a most righteous and just quarrel; but on man’s part it is an unrighteous and unreasonable quarrel. God has done nothing to deserve our enmity (Jer 2:4-5; John 10:32). If the quarrel is not taken up and settled now, it will be an everlasting quarrel. Death puts an end to all other feuds, but not this one. Death only brings the sinner into a state of everlasting misery and torment. In hell, sinners will forever hate, curse, and blaspheme God. God will forever hate, punish, and torment his enemies.

The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, has taken up the quarrel on behalf of his people, and settled it. He is our Mediator. He is our Daysman (I Tim. 2:5; Job 9:33). He is the Arbitrator by whom all differences between God and man are settled. How? How does Christ put an end to the quarrel and make peace with God for us?

In order to make peace for us, Christ had to deal with God as our Mediator and Substitute. If he would be Jehovah-Shalom: the Lord our Peace, Christ had to make atonement for our sins, pacify the offended justice of God, and fulfill the law of God in our place. Christ Jesus stood as Jehovah-Shalom in the Covenant of Grace from old eternity (Job 33:23-24). He lived in this world as our Representative to bring in everlasting righteousness; and the name of our Representative is Jehovah-Shalom (Rom. 5:19). He died as our Substitute, in our place at Calvary, satisfying Divine Justice, and earned this name - Jehovah-Shalom (II Cor. 5:18-21). Christ still deals with God for us in heaven as our Advocate, through whom we have peace with God (I John 2:1-2).

Having satisfied the justice of God by his obedience unto death, Christ deals with each of his elect, graciously removing our inbred enmity against God, breaking down that wall of partition that separates man from God (Col. 1:21). By the preaching of the gospel, Jehovah-Shalom sends his Spirit to persuade stubborn rebels to be reconciled to God. He persuades us, tenderly and effectually, to lay down our arms of rebellion and be friends with the Almighty. Our sins stood like a huge wall separating us from God (Isa. 59:2). Christ put them away (Heb. 1:3). God’s broken law stood like a thick veil between him and his people. Christ rent the veil in two by his obedience unto death and opened the way for God and man to be united (Heb. 10:19-22). Our corrupt nature barred us from fellowship with the holy God (John 3:5-7). In regeneration Christ, by his Holy Spirit, has given us a new nature (II Pet. 1:4).

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS JEHOVAH-SHALOM, OUR PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER, TOO. When men and women are at peace with God, they are at peace with one another. Where the Prince of Peace reigns, there is peace. Where Jehovah-Shalom is known and worshipped, peace reigns. In the home that is under the rule of Christ peace reigns. In the local Church that is governed by Christ there is peace (John 14:27). Christ breaks down the walls of partition that separate men from one another (Col. 3:11). Jehovah-Shalom begets love in the hearts of his people, and love begets peace. Ever pray for and promote the "peace of Jerusalem" (Eph. 4:1-3). The Church of God is his Jerusalem, the City of Peace. Our charter is the gospel of peace. Our Ruler is the Prince of Peace. Our Defense is the Spirit of Peace.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, JEHOVAH-SHALOM, IS OUR PEACE WITHIN AS WELL. When all is well between me and my God, I have peace, an inward, sedate, composed, cheerful heart at all times, in all circumstances, under all conditions (Isa. 26:3). What is the source of this blessed, inward peace? Jehovah-Shalom. We enjoy peace from God in exact proportion to our faith in and understanding of his glorious sovereignty (Ps. 115:3), the efficacy of Christ’s blood and righteousness as our Substitute (Heb. 9:12), the wisdom and goodness of his adorable providence (Rom. 8:28), and the certainty and fullness of his boundless promises (II Cor. 1:20). If we would have peace, we must go to him for it (Matt. 11:28-29, Phil. 4:4-13). He alone is able to give true peace whose name is Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Our Peace!

Don Fortner

THE NAMES OF GOD

Lesson #4

Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord Our Banner

Exodus 17:15

While Joshua and the army of Israel fought the Amalekites in the valley below, Moses stood on the top of Mt. Horeb, which is Mt. Sinai, with his hands stretched out before the Lord, with his rod in his hands. The symbolism in this picture is full of instruction. Moses lifted up his hands in prayer to God and held up the rod, which represented God’s omnipotent power, so that all Israel could see it standing erect, like an immovable banner upon Mt. Sinai. But when Moses hands got heavy, the rod he held sagged. When the army of Israel could not see the rod, they wavered and the Amalekites prevailed against them. Aaron and Hur found a stone and put it under Moses to support him. Then they stood by Moses and held up his hands until the going down of the sun. Thus, Israel defeated the Amalekites. We are like those Israelites. At times it seems that our spiritual warfare will surely end in defeat. Like Moses, we get weary. Our legs are feeble. Our hands begin to sag. It appears that we will surely fall to the enemy. But, just when we have no strength, Christ our High Priest, represented by Aaron, and the Spirit of God, represent by Hur, whose name means liberty, inspire us to lift up our hands in prayer to God. Fixed upon Christ, our sure Foundation Stone, we again see the Rod of God, our mighty Savior, exalted and lifted up like a banner before us. "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith," we prevail over our enemies. Our exalted Savior gives us assurance that, when the day of our warfare is over, we shall win the victory over our enemies. Our great Commander says to us, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). And by his grace we too shall overcome the world. At the end of the day, "Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-Nissi" (v. 15), which means, "the Lord our Banner".

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS JEHOVAH-NISSI, THE LORD OUR BANNER. In the majesty of his person, the efficacy of his work, the merit of his blood, the perfection of his righteousness, the certainty of his triumph, and the glory of his second advent, Christ is the Banner of his Church. Under this Banner we fight and prevail. And to this Banner we rally. In ancient times the banner of a regiment was far more useful than it is today; but we are still familiar with the symbolism. What a nation’s flag is to its people, Christ is to his Church. He is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner. The banner is lifted up and displayed as the point of union. Countrymen have many things about which they have little quarrels. But let an enemy invade the land and every patriot will rally around the flag. When the chips are down, when liberty and freedom are in danger, all are one. All have one flag as their point of union. Even so, Christ is the point of union for all believers. All rally as one around Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner.

There are many things which separate God’s saints upon this earth. I am very sorry for that. But conscientious men cannot give up things which they see to be true, even for the sake of unity. To us, baptism is important. We cannot accept sprinkling and call it baptism. To us, the elements of the Lord’s Table are important. We must have unleavened bread and wine, or we cannot call it the Lord’s Table. To us, independence is important. We cannot submit to any form of ecclesiastical hierarchy. To us, Christian liberty is important. We cannot be brought again under any yoke of bondage. We cannot, in good conscience, yield to the judgments of others in any of these points. And these things distinguish us from many who truly are our brethren. But there is one rallying point around which all true Christians meet. That rallying point is the person and work of Christ, whose name is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner. When it comes to the person and work of Christ, all true believers are one, all true believers rally around and lift up the Banner of the Cross. Those who oppose and fight against the doctrine of Christ, his eternal Deity, effectual atonement, imputed righteousness, free grace salvation, sovereign rule over all things, or almighty intercession in heaven, are our enemies. All who uphold and defend these things are our brethren. In times of war, the banner directs the battle and encourages the soldiers. Moses held up the rod like a banner before Israel. The banner both directed and encouraged the army below. Aaron and Hur took great care to see to it that the banner did not fall to the ground. If it should fall the battle would be lost. Jehovah-Nissi, Christ our Banner, is the One who directs and encourages us in our warfare here below. We have no cause of fear. Though Moses grew weary, he never shall. He who is the same, yesterday, today and forever, will never fail. Child of God, fix your eyes upon him, and you shall never fail. If you would know the best way to fight, follow his steps, imitate his every action, mold your life after his example. Look to Christ for direction (Col. 3:1-3) and encouragement (Heb. 12:1-2), and press on to victory (Phil. 3:7-14). Remember, the banner is always the chief object of attack. The enemy says, "Take the banner and victory is ours." In our spiritual warfare, the powers of darkness are always attacking Jehovah-Nissi, Christ Jesus, the Lord our Banner. The fiend of hell always attacks, but shall never destroy or even shake our glorious Banner. Both by the teachings of false prophets and in the consciences of weak believers, satan constantly attacks and seeks to destroy our Banner in five areas:

• (1.) The Glory of Christ’s Person,
  
• (2.) The Efficacy of Christ’s Atonement,


• (3.) The Sufficiency Of Christ’s Righteousness


• (4.) The Freeness Of Christ’s Saving Grace, and


• (5.) The Fullness Of Christ’s Pardon.

Satan’s constant attacks upon our Banner are ever to be expected, because the banner is the symbol of defiance. As soon as the banner is lifted up and unfurled in the face of the enemy, it seems to say, "Come on, do the worst you can. We do not fear your power. We defy you!" When Christ is preached, we give defiance to the enemies of our Lord. We have no power over satan in ourselves. But his power has been forever destroyed by the cross of Christ. And we must defiantly hurl the Banner of his defeat in his face. The more his ministers attack the doctrine of the cross, the more defiantly we are to wave the Banner of the Cross. And, I assure you, wherever there is a man who plainly, courageously lifts up the Banner of the Cross, proclaiming free pardon to sinners through the merit of Christ’s blood and righteousness, all the powers of hell will oppose him. He will be scorned and derided by both the religious and the secular world. Yet, the Lord Jesus, Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner, will assuredly draw sinners to himself (John 12:32).

The banner is also the great source of consolation to every wounded soldier. Those Israelites who laid on the battlefield in Rephidim, wounded and hurting, looked up to Mt. Sinai to see if the rod was still held high by Moses. When they saw that banner lifted high and unshaken, they knew that the cause was yet safe, and they took comfort. Though they were hurting, the cause for which they were willing to die was safe. That gave them great comfort. Even so, every believer finds his heart’s consolation in Christ Jesus. The soldiers of the cross have no greater joy than seeing the Banner under which they live and die lifted up. We rejoice in our Savior’s triumph. We fall, but Christ does not. We go down to the grave and depart in peace, knowing that the cause of Christ prospers still.

The banner is the symbol of victory too. When the soldiers come home from war, having thoroughly defeated the enemy, as they march through the streets celebrating their victory, leading the procession is the flag, the banner under which and for which they have fought. That banner is now the symbol of their victory. Even so, in that last great day, when our enemies are all subdued beneath our feet, the Lord Jesus Christ shall be our Banner still. This is one name among many, by which we shall celebrate our Redeemer’s praise throughout eternity. He is and shall forever be, Jehovah-Nissi - the Lord our Banner!

CHRIST IS A BANNER TO THEM THAT FEAR HIM Read Psalm 60:4 with Exodus 17:15. Together they teach us three things about our Lord Jesus Christ, whose name is Jehovah-Nissi. First, Christ was given to us as our Banner by God our Father. He gave his dear Son to be our Banner of salvation in old eternity. From everlasting, before ever the earth was, he gave Christ to be our Mediator and Substitute, Messiah, King, Lord, and Savior. When the fullness of time was come, God gave his Son in the manger at Bethlehem to be our Banner. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Christ was given upon the cross when God our Father gave his dear Son to die in our place upon the cursed tree, "the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." Christ is the Banner of grace given by God the Father to his people upon this earth. The Lord Jesus Christ is given to every believer as a Banner of salvation, love, grace, mercy, and eternal life when he believes the gospel (Song 2:4). Christ is the Banner given to every gospel preacher when he is called of God to preach the gospel. All of God’s preachers have the same message. They all wave the same Banner. We are sent of God to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. God has committed this glorious Banner to our care. We dare not lay it down for a moment (I Cor. 1:17-23; 9:16; Gal. 6:14).

Second, Christ is given as a Banner to them that fear God. He is not given to all men. God has a chosen people to whom he will give his Son, over whom he shall display the Banner of his love. Those people are known in time by the character that is created in them by the grace of God. The character by which they are known is this: They fear God. Only those who fear God are allowed to carry this Banner. Only those who fear God can carry this banner. It is the fear of God in his people that gives them the courage to carry his Banner. The fear of man is cowardly; but the fear of God is the mother of courage and boldness. If you fear God, if you know, worship, and trust the living God, this Banner has been given to you. Wherever you go, take your Banner with you. Never be ashamed of your colors.

Third, God has given Christ to us as a Banner to be displayed "because of the Truth." In order to display a banner, you have to take it out of its case and unfold it. I cannot urge you strongly enough to make it your daily business to study the Scriptures. Open the Book of God. It is the case in which Jehovah-Nissi is held. If you would display him to others, you must take the Banner out of the Case yourself. Let nothing keep you from personally studying the Word of God. To display the Banner, it must be lifted up. If we would display the Banner, we must carry it into the world. But, no matter how we lift it up, no matter how diligently we carry it into the world, the Banner will never be displayed to anyone unless there is a wind to blow it. We must ever seek God the Holy Spirit, by prayer and supplication, that he may, like a heavenly wind blow across the people before whom we lift up Christ our Banner. If he will but blow with life giving power, men and women will see and rally round Jehovah-Nissi - the Lord our Banner.

WHY IS CHRIST GIVEN TO BE OUR BANNER? Isaiah gave a word of prophecy concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. "In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign (A Standard-Bearer or A Banner) of the people; to it shall the gathering of the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious" (Isa. 11:10). Christ Jesus has been given for a Banner for this purpose, that God’s elect scattered throughout the world might be gathered unto him (see verse 12 and Gen. 49:10). We are to lift high Jehovah-Nissi, Christ our Banner, and call upon sinners to come to him,. as sheep to the shepherd (John 10::28; Song 1:7-8), as doves to their window (Isa. 40:8; Ps. 116:7), as children to their father (I John 1:1-3), and as chicks to the hen (Matt. 23:37). All who come to Christ in true repentance and faith shall find rest in him. And his rest will be glorious. We also have this word of assurance: There is a day coming in which all the hosts of God’s elect shall be gathered unto him (II Thess. 2:1). When Isaiah said, "his rest shall be glorious," it could be translated, "His rest shall be glory." Believers find rest in Christ in this world from all their fears; and there is a rest yet to come in glory beyond our highest imagination (Heb. 4:9). Ever fix your eyes upon Jehovah-Nissi - the Lord our Banner. Set your heart upon Christ your Banner. Be courageous. Carry your Banner with you wherever you go. And live in this confidence: JEHOVAH-NISSI - THE LORD OUR BANNER, shall be our Banner forever. Always stay close to him (Ps. 20:5).

Don Fortner

THE NAMES OF GOD

Lesson #2

Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord Will Provide

Genesis 22:14

Pay no attention to those who teach that it is never God’s will for his children to suffer, or that all suffering is an indication of God’s displeasure. Genesis 22 writes this message out in bold letters: TRUE FAITH MUST BE PROVED BY TRIALS. Here the Holy Spirit has recorded Abraham’s most severe trial. Abraham was the friend of God. But, in God’s wise and good providence, Abraham was called upon to endure the most heart-rending trial any man ever had to face in this world, other than the Man of Sorrows. Faith must be proved; and it is proved only when it is put to the test. HOWEVER, THE PRIMARY THING TO BE SEEN IN THIS CHAPTER IS NOT ABRAHAM’S TRIAL, BUT GOD’S PROVISION FOR ABRAHAM AND HIS SON UPON THE MOUNT. The Lord God provided a ram as a substitute to die in the place of Isaac. And there Abraham raised up an everlasting memorial to his God. Read verse 14. "And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen." The name by which God revealed himself to Abraham, "Jehovah-jireh," may be translated in three ways. It could be translated "The Lord will See," or "The Lord will Provide," or "The Lord shall be Seen." However we translate this name of our God, Jehovah-jireh expresses the idea of God seeing and of God being seen. For God, to see is to provide. You know how we sometimes say, "I will see to it," when we mean, "I will take care of it," or "I will provide for it." That is the meaning here.

The truth contained in this name of God, Jehovah-jireh, ruled Abraham’s heart even before he uttered it and established it as a memorial in the place where God provided a substitute for Isaac. It was faith in Jehovah-jireh that sustained the old patriarch’s heart throughout this ordeal. Faith in Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who will provide, enabled Abraham to render the prompt and unswerving obedience that is recorded in this chapter. Many things must have crossed Abraham’s mind which might have caused him to disobey his God. As he took that painful journey to Moriah, he must have had many perplexing questions about Sarah, his relationship with her, the promises of God that were wrapped up in Isaac, Isaac himself, and the response of his friends and neighbors to his act of slaying his son in the name of God. But the old man strengthened his heart, as he went up to Moriah. Determined to obey God, regardless of cost or consequence, Abraham said to himself, "The Lord will see and the Lord will provide. He will not break his promise. He will not alter his word. Perhaps he will raise Isaac from the dead. But even if he is not pleased to do so, by one means or another, my God will justify my obedience and vindicate his command. His name is Jehovah-jireh." This name of God, Jehovah-jireh, silenced every unbelieving thought and carnal objection. Do not miss the practical application of this to your own heart. If you believe God, if you follow the Lord’s bidding, he will see to it that you will not be ashamed or confounded (Rom. 10:11). If you come into great need by following his command, the Lord will see to it that you lose nothing by your obedience. If difficulties rise like mountains before you, so that your way seems to be completely blocked up, your God will see to it that the way is cleared. Walk in the way of obedience and, as you walk, every obstacle will fall before you. "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5). Confer not with flesh and blood, and the Lord will make a way for you to do his will (Gal. 1:16). The Lord will see us through the way of faith and obedience, if we are willing to walk in it. He will see to our way, if we dare to walk in his way (Pro. 3:5-6).

"The Lord will see and the Lord will provide." That is what Jehovah-jireh means. We should not be surprised to find Abraham declaring this truth and attaching it to the spot that was to be forever famous. His whole heart was saturated with it. His soul was sustained by it. His trial taught him more of his God than he knew before or could have known in any other way. In fact, it gave him a new name for his God. And Abraham’s grateful heart desired to keep this name of God as a memorial to all future generations, to encourage all who believe God to obey his will and persevere in his ways. Abraham says to all, "The name of our God is JEHOVAH-JIREH, the Lord will see and the Lord will provide."

This was not the first time Abraham had used such language in speaking of God. In verse 14, "Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh," because he had seen it to be the truth. This was something he had experienced for himself. The ram caught in the thicket had been provided as a substitute for Isaac. Not only had the Lord seen, but according to the promise made to Abraham’s faith, the Lord had provided as well. Even before he knew how this trial would end, Abraham confidently believed God, trusting him to provide what was needed (Rom 4:20). Read verses 6 and 7. Isaac said, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" And Abraham answered with confident faith in his God, "My son, God will provide!" And in due time, God did provide. Then, in verse 24, Abraham honored God, repeating the words he had spoken to his son, with only one change. Instead of using the ordinary name for God, he used his special covenant name, Jehovah. He said, "Jehovah will provide."

As these words were spoken prophetically by Abraham concerning Isaac and his substitute, they were also a direct prophecy of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Substitute whom God has provided for sinners. He was, by the Spirit of prophecy, saying to us, as God provided a substitute for Isaac, so he will provide a Substitute for all his covenant people in whom the Lord will be seen. That Substitute is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. He was also telling us that, as God provided for him in his time of extremity, so he will provide for all who trust him. The God of Abraham lives today! He is the same today as he was in Abraham’s day. In the hour of Abraham’s great need, when there seemed to be no possible way of escape, the Lord appeared for him and was seen in the mount. So it shall be with all the children of Abraham. We shall be tried and tested, but in the hour of our utmost need our God will see us. Seeing our need, he will provide for us. And he will be seen in the provision he makes. The name of our God is Jehovah-jireh. He is worthy of absolute trust and confidence. The Lord, Jehovah, is our preserver and our provider. Let this truth be firmly fixed in your heart. God’s provision for Abraham and Isaac typified the far greater provision of his grace, by which all believing sinners are delivered from sin and death. And God’s provision for us in Christ, by his death at Mt. Calvary, has given us the sure guarantee that all our necessities, both carnal and spiritual, shall be provided by him for both time and eternity. A careful examination of the three translations of this name by which God revealed himself to Abraham, Jehovah-jireh, will clearly demonstrate that this name for our God reveals his glorious saving purpose toward his people.

JEHOVAH-JIREH MEANS "THE LORD WILL SEE." Jehovah-jireh tells us that the Lord will see our great need. God constantly sees the needs of his children and provides for them. The provision of the ram to die in the stead of Isaac was the significant type that was before Abraham’s eye when he called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh. Our Lord tells us that "Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56). Surely, if ever Abraham saw Christ’s day and was made to rejoice for it, it was at that moment when the Lord provided a substitute for Isaac. Whether he understood the full meaning of what he said is not important. He spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not for himself, but for us. Every word he uttered was for our instruction (II Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 15:4; I Cor. 10:11). The teaching is this: God, in the gift of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, made full provision for all the needs of his people. He sees us in our need, because of our own sin, and provides for all our needs in his Son. The Lord graciously beheld the needs of his sinful people long before we were even aware that we had any needs before him. The law of God demanded our punishment (Gal. 3:10). The gates of hell were opened wide, ready to swallow us up into perdition. We were all perishing, dead spiritually and condemned to die eternally. But our great and merciful God beheld our need and intervened to save us by his free grace (Eph. 2:5-9; Ezek. 16:6-8). Just when Isaac was in imminent danger of death, the Lord stepped in to deliver him. The knife was lifted up by the resolute hand. Isaac was but a second from death, when the angelic voice was heard, saying, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad" (v. 12). God provided when the need pressed urgently. So it was with us. When God saw that the world had come into a state of great danger and misery, he sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law. God sent his Son into the world that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17). "In due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:6). "When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son" (Gal. 4:4). The same thing is true in the experience of grace in conversion. It is not until men and women feel themselves lying at hell’s door, with the anguish of their guilt and sin crushing them down into eternal ruin, that God the Holy Spirit reveals Christ, the sinner’s Substitute. No man will ever be saved until he is lost. No one will ever be clothed until he is stripped. No one will ever be filled until he is empty. Christ comes only to those who need him. But he always comes to those who need him.

JEHOVAH-JIREH MEANS "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE." If God sees our need, his provision is sure. This is what Abraham tells us by the name, Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide. Jehovah-jireh was Abraham’s testimony to the goodness and grace of God in providing a ram to take the place of his son, Isaac, upon the altar of sacrifice. And it is the testimony of every sinner who sees Christ, as his Substitute, sacrificed upon the altar of divine justice at Mt. Calvary. God’s provision upon the mount was made spontaneously. It was altogether voluntary and free. And the provision God displayed in the fullness of time at Calvary, when he gave his Son to die in the place of sinners, was also voluntary, free, and spontaneous. Christ died for us freely, unsought, undesired, and unwanted. God sent his Son to redeem us, and Christ came to redeem us by his death, simply because he loved us (John 10:15-18; I John 3:16; 4:9-10). The provision God makes is always the very thing needed - "a ram!" Here is a substitute to take Isaac’s place. This is just what was needed, a bloody sacrifice to die in the place of Isaac upon the altar. God knew what we needed; and only he could provide the needed Sacrifice. We needed a Substitute; and Christ our passover was sacrificed for us (I Cor. 5:7; II Cor. 5:21). And this provision for our need was made by God himself. Where shall a redemption be found by which it shall be possible for the vast multitude of God’s elect to be effectually redeemed from death and hell? Such a ransom could only be found by God himself. And he could find it only in himself. Since no one else could provide a ransom for our souls, God provided it and said, "Deliver them from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom" (Job 33:24). One other thing that must be noted is this: God’s provision is gloriously effective. Isaac did not die! Like the ram that was slain for Isaac, our Lord Jesus Christ is a burnt offering, acceptable and well-pleasing to God on our behalf (Eph. 5:2). By his one sacrifice, Christ put our sins away. Therefore God’s elect, for whom he was slain, cannot die (Rom. 8:1).

JEHOVAH-JIREH MEANS "THE LORD WILL BE SEEN." He will be seen in the mount of sacrifice. He will be seen in the gospel of Christ, our crucified Savior. Go often to Calvary, for there the Lord will be seen. He will be seen in the mount of trial. Your trials may seem severe; but do not despair. In your greatest extremity, the Lord will be seen. He will be seen in Mount Zion. Look up to heaven, there the Lord will be seen in the person of Jesus Christ our Substitute. Would you know God? Then study Christ. Learn of him. Know him. Soon all who are born of God, all who believe, all for whom the Son of God died upon the cursed tree, will see him as he is, and shall be seen with Him (Heb. 9:28). Jehovah-jireh shall see us with satisfaction; and we shall see him with satisfaction. Jehovah-jireh shall provide us with glory; and we shall provide him with pleasure. Jehovah-jireh shall be seen with us; and we shall be seen with him. The gift of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Substitute is a provision that secures all other provisions. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things?" He will give us all things in providence. He will give us all things promised in the covenant. He will give us all things in heaven.

Don Fortner

Because of who You are; I give You glory!

Because of who You are; I give you praise!

Because of who You are, I will lift my voice and say:

Lord, I worship You because of Who You are!

Lord, I worship You because of Who You are!

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider

Jehovah Nissi Lord, You reign in victory

Jehovah Shalom My Prince of peace

And I worship You because of who You are

Jehovah Rophe, You’re my Healer

Jehovah Shammah, Always with me

Jehovah Tzevaoth Strong Deliverer!

And I worship You because of who You are