The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is involved in a study that has the potential to deepen our understanding of the very character and nature of God. As many of you know, names in the Bible are not merely labels; they reveal profound truths about who a person is. This is especially true when we consider the names of God. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through various names, each highlighting a unique aspect of His being, His power, His love, and His relationship with humanity. Over the coming sessions, we will explore some of these powerful names, such as Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, and many others, uncovering the rich tapestry of God's self-revelation and how understanding these names can enrich our prayer lives and our walk of faith.
These are the notes to session seven.
The combination names of Jehovah reveal different facets of His character by pairing His covenant name, often translated as LORD, Yahweh or Jehovah, with words that describe specific attributes or actions. We've looked at the combination name Jehovah-Jireh a Hebrew phrase that literally means "The LORD Will Provide. We also talked about the name Jehovah Rapha, "The LORD Who Heals"' Jehovah Shalom "The LORD is Peace", Jehovah-Nissi "The LORD our Banner.
In this session 7 we talk about Jehovah-Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
Moses asks for God's name, God replies "I AM WHO I AM".
Exodus 3:14-15 NIV [14] God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” [15] God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
The very first name God reveals to us in Scripture—Elohim. This name is found in Genesis, the book of the beginning, and we discover it inthe very first verse: “In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.”
Elohim is the first name used for God in the Bible. It is used exclusively to refer to God from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3, highlighting God as the powerful creator.
The combination names of Jehovah which we have been studying for the past few weeks reveal different facets of His character by pairing His covenant name (often translated as LORD or YHWH) with words that describe specific attributes or actions.
We've looked at the combination name Jehovah-Jireh, a Hebrew phrase that literally means "The LORD Will Provide.
Genesis 22:14 NIV So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
We also talked about the name Jehovah Rapha. Rapha: This Hebrew word means "to heal," "to restore," "to make whole," or "to mend." It encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Rapha conveys the idea of restoring something to its intended state.
The name Jehovah-Rapha reveals God as one who not only heals and restores physical needs but spiritual and emotional ones too.
Exodus 15:26 NIV He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.
The it took two weeks for the combination name Jehovah-Shalom.
Shalom: This Hebrew word conveys much more than just the absence of conflict. It encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, health, harmony, and prosperity. It speaks of a state of perfect tranquility and flourishing in every aspect of life.
Judges 6:21-24 (NKJV)21 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.22 Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face."23 Then the LORD said to him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die."24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Bold mine)
Therefore, "Jehovah Shalom" means "The LORD is Peace" or "The LORD is our Peace." It reveals that God is not only a provider of peace but is Himself the very essence of peace.
The name Jehovah Shalom appears only once in the Bible
Two weeks ago we considered the combination name Jehovah-Nissi, The LORD Is My Banner”
Putting it Together: Jehovah Nissi signifies "The Lord is my banner." It declares that God is our standard, our rallying point, our source of strength, and the one who leads us to victory in our battles.
Exodus 17:8-16 NIV [8] The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. [9] Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” [10] So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. [11] As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. [12] When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. [13] So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. [14] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” [15] Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. [16] He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”
Today we are going to consider the name Jehovah Tsidkenu"The Lord Our Righteousness." This name reveals a key aspect of God's character and His provision for humanity.
I. Introduction: Understanding the Name
What does "Jehovah Tsidkenu" mean?
"Jehovah" (YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God, often translated "I AM" or "The LORD." It speaks of His eternal, self-existent nature.
"Tsidkenu": From the Hebrew word tzedek, meaning righteousness, justice, uprightness. It carries the idea of conformity to a moral or legal standard.
Combined: "The Lord Our Righteousness." This name reveals a key aspect of God's character and His provision for humanity.
Where does this name appear?
Only one time and it is Read: Jeremiah 23:5-6
Jeremiah 23:5-6 NLT [5] “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. [6] And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.
Context: Jeremiah is prophesying about the future King, the "Righteous Branch" who will reign wisely and justly.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 is a powerful messianic prophecy that vividly describes the coming King who would bring righteousness, salvation, and security to His people, and would bear a divine name. Christians believe this prophecy finds its perfect and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Here's why this passage points to Jesus as the Messiah:
"A righteous Branch David":
"Branch": This is a well-known messianic title in the Old Testament, referring to a descendant who will emerge from a particular lineage. We see it in other prophetic books
Isaiah 11:1 NLT Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
Zechariah 3:8 NLT “Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.
It signifies a new, vital growth from an established, royal line.
"from David": "Branch" or "shoot" is a new growth from a plant or tree. In a genealogical sense, it refers to a descendant, an offspring.
Crucially, when applied to the Messiah, it almost always ties back to the lineage of David. The image is of a tree that might seem cut down or diminished (like the royal house of David after centuries of decline and exile), but from its roots, a new, vital shoot or branch will emerge. This emphasizes continuity and the fulfillment of God's covenant with David (2 Samuel 7), promising an eternal dynasty.
God made an unconditional covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7, promising that his throne would be established forever.
2 Samuel 7:1-17 NLT [1] When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, [2] the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!” [3] Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” [4] But that same night the Lord said to Nathan, [5] “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? [6] I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. [7] Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’ [8] “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. [9] I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! [10] And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, [11] starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. “‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! [12] For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. [13] He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. [14] I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. [15] But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. [16] Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’” [17] So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.
Jesus' genealogy in both Matthew and Luke traces his lineage back to David, fulfilling this requirement.
"A King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land":
This describes the character and reign of the promised King. He will be a wise and just ruler, in stark contrast to the unrighteous and self-serving kings of Judah.
Jesus is presented in the New Testament as the ultimate King, whose reign is characterized by perfect wisdom, justice, and righteousness. He establishes a spiritual kingdom that impacts the hearts and lives of His followers, and ultimately, a coming literal kingdom where He will reign.
"In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety":
For Jeremiah's original audience, this would have implied a return from exile and national restoration.
This speaks of the salvation and security that will come under the Messiah's rule. For Christians, this points to the spiritual salvation offered through Jesus. He provides salvation from sin and eternal security for all who believe in Him, ultimately leading to a restored relationship with God. While there's a spiritual fulfillment, many also believe there's a future literal fulfillment when Israel will be fully restored under Christ's rule.
II. The Problem of Human Righteousness
Why do we need "The Lord Our Righteousness"?
Romans 3:10-12, 23 NLT [10] As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. [11] No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. [12] All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”
[23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
What do these verses tell us about humanity's natural state before God? Is anyone truly righteous on their own?
These verses clearly state that "there is no one righteous, not even one." They reveal that humanity, apart from God, is universally sinful, falling short of His glory and perfect standard. No one is inherently good enough or capable of achieving true righteousness on their own.
Isaiah 64:6 NLT We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
What does it mean for our "righteous deeds" to be like "filthy rags"? What does this imply about trying to earn God's favor through our own efforts?
This powerful imagery illustrates that even our best efforts at "doing good" or attempting to earn God's favor through our own works are tainted by sin and fall far short of God's holy standard. They are utterly unacceptable in His sight. It implies that we cannot earn salvation or merit God's approval through our own actions, no matter how outwardly "good" they appear.
We are inherently unrighteous and incapable of meeting God's perfect standard on our own. This highlights our desperate need for a righteousness that comes from outside ourselves.
III. God's Provision: Righteousness Through Christ
How does God provide this righteousness?
2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
How did God make us righteous? What exchange took place? Who is "He who knew no sin"?
God made us righteous by taking our sin and placing it on "Him who knew no sin" – Jesus Christ – and in return, crediting His perfect righteousness to us. It was a divine exchange: our sin for His righteousness.
What is "the righteousness of God"? How is it revealed?
Romans 3:21-26 NLT [21] But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. [22] We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [24] Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. [25] For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, [26] for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
"The righteousness of God" is God's own perfect standard of justice and holiness, but also His method of declaring people righteous. It is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the law.
How do we receive this righteousness? (Through faith in Jesus Christ).
We receive this righteousness "through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." It's not earned by works but freely given to those who trust in Him.
How does this demonstrate God's justice and His love simultaneously?
It shows God's justice because sin was paid for, and His holy standard was upheld. It shows His love because He Himself provided the means of payment through His Son, offering salvation to us while we were still sinners.
God's righteousness is imputed to us (credited to our account) not through our works, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who became our righteousness.
IV. Living in the Light of Jehovah Tsidkenu
A. Assurance and Peace:
Romans 5:1 NLT Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Being justified by faith means we are declared righteous by God, removing the barrier of sin that separated us from Him. This brings true peace because the war between us and God is over; we are reconciled. It means we are no longer under the sentence of eternal judgment or condemnation because Christ has borne it for us.
B. Motivation for Obedience (not earning):
Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT [8] God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
If salvation is a gift and not earned, why do we still do good works? How does understanding Jehovah Tsidkenu transform our motivation for living righteously? (From trying to earn to responding to grace).
We do good works not to earn salvation, but because we are saved. God "preparedthem beforehand that we should walk in them." Understanding Jehovah Tsidkenu transforms our otivation from a burdensome attempt to earn God's favor to a joyful response of gratitude and love for what He has already done for us. Our good works become evidence of our faith and a desire to honor the One who made us righteous.
C. Humility and Dependence:
How does knowing that our righteousness comes from God alone cultivate humility? How does it encourage us to depend on Him daily for strength and guidance?
It cultivates profound humility because it shatters any illusion of self-sufficiency or spiritual pride. We realize we bring nothing to the table. This realization drives us to depend entirely on God, not just for salvation, but for daily strength to live a life pleasing to Him, knowing that any good within us is His work.
D. Confidence in Prayer and Ministry:
Hebrews 4:16 NLT So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
How does the righteousness we have in Christ give us confidence to approach God's throne? How might this truth empower us in sharing our faith?
Because we are clothed in Christ's righteousness, we can "approach God's throne of grace with confidence." We are no longer afraid of judgment but come as beloved children. This confidence empowers us in sharing our faith because we are sharing God's solution to humanity's greatest problem—sin—and offering the incredible gift of His righteousness to others.
Understanding Jehovah Tsidkenu frees us from the burden of self-righteousness, grants us peace with God, and empowers us to live a life of grateful obedience, rooted in His divine provision.
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