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 eight.
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 and Jehovah-Tsidkenu "The LORD our Righteousness""
In this session we start a discussion on the name Jehovah-Sabaoth "The LORD of Hosts"
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 last couple of weeks we studied 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
Last week 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.”
Last week the name Jehovah Tsidkenu "The Lord Our Righteousness." This name reveals a key aspect of God's character and His provision for humanity.
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.
Let's delve into a Bible study on the name of God, Jehovah Sabaoth. This name, often translated as "The Lord of Hosts," reveals a powerful and comforting aspect of God's character. As we explore this, it aligns with our ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will. Understanding His names helps us to better understand Him and His guidance in our lives.
Bible Study: Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of Hosts
Introduction:
The name "Jehovah Sabaoth" (or "Yahweh Sabaoth") appears frequently in the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic books and Psalms. It speaks to God's supreme authority, His vast resources, and His ability to command heavenly armies and earthly powers. It's a name that brings both awe and assurance, reminding us that the God we serve is in ultimate control.
I. Understanding "Sabaoth" - Hosts or Armies
Definition: The Hebrew word "Sabaoth" (צְבָאוֹת - tsva'ot) means "armies," "hosts," or "multitudes." It can refer to:
Heavenly hosts: Angels, celestial beings, the angelic army of God.
Earthly hosts: The armies of Israel, or even the stars and creation itself as an ordered host.
When combined with "Jehovah" (the personal name of God, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature), it emphasizes His sovereign command over all these forces. He is not merely a local deity, but the commander of all creation.
Scripture References:
1 Samuel 1:1-3, 11 NIV [1] There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. [2] He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. [3] Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord.
[11] Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
This shows that worship was directed to God in this capacity
In Psalm 24:10: Jehovah Sabaoth is equated with the King of glory, emphasizing His royal power and dominion.
Psalms 24:10 NKJV Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah
Reflection Questions:
How does understanding God as the "Lord of Hosts" impact your view of His power and authority?
It means He commands not just one army, but all armies, both heavenly and earthly. This immediately conjures an image of infinite power. It's not just that He's strong; it's that all strength, all organized force, all heavenly might (angels, celestial beings) and all earthly power (nations, natural forces) are under His direct command. This moves Him beyond merely powerful to omnipotent.
If God is the Lord of Hosts, it means there is nothing outside His jurisdiction. Every entity, every force, every army, every nation, every element of creation is ultimately accountable to Him and subject to His will. This establishes His authority as absolute and unquestionable. It paints a picture of a God who is never surprised, never thwarted, and always in control, even when things appear chaotic to us.
If He commands all these forces, then those who are on His side have the ultimate protector. In times of conflict or distress, this name reassures that His resources are limitless for our defense. It shifts the focus from our limited capabilities to His boundless ones. It also implies ultimate justice; if He commands all hosts, then He will ultimately bring all things to account, ensuring that His will and righteousness prevail.
Our human understanding of power and authority is often limited to earthly kingdoms, military might, or political influence. "Lord of Hosts" shatters those limitations, placing God far above any earthly power or conflict. He's not just a King; He's the King of all kings, the General of all generals, whose command spans the entire cosmos.
This title evokes a sense of profound awe and reverence. It's not a casual or friendly descriptor; it's a military, majestic, and holy title. It compels one to bow in worship and acknowledge His unparalleled majesty and might.
In essence, understanding God as the "Lord of Hosts" transforms Him from a powerful deity into the supreme, all-commanding, all-encompassing, and ultimately victorious Sovereign of the universe. It instills a deep sense of security and trust, knowing that the God who orchestrates the stars and commands angelic legions is the very God who cares for His people.
What does it mean to worship the God who commands all heavenly and earthly armies?
In essence, worshiping the God who commands all heavenly and earthly armies transforms our faith from a passive belief into an active, confident, and deeply reverent relationship with the all-powerful Sovereign of the universe. It shifts our focus from our own limitations to His boundless might, inspiring us to live lives of trust, obedience, and joyful participation in His eternal purposes
II. Jehovah Sabaoth as a Warrior and Protector
Often, this name appears in times of conflict, distress, or when God's people faced overwhelming odds. It served as a reminder that their God was not passive but actively engaged in their defense.Knowing that the Lord of Hosts is on your side brings immense comfort and courage in the face of fear or opposition.
Scripture References:
I Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV [45] Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. [47] Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
David's confidence was rooted in the power of Jehovah Sabaoth, not in his own ability.
Psalms 46:1-11 NKJV [1] God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [3] Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah [4] There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. [5] God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. [6] The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. [7] The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah [8] Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. [10] Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! [11] The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Reverence for Jehovah Sabaoth is connected to finding true security, rather than fearing human threats.
How can calling upon the name of the "Lord of Hosts" strengthen your faith in challenging situations?
When you face a challenge, it often feels overwhelming. Calling on "Lord of Hosts" immediately brings to mind an image of God commanding countless heavenly armies and earthly forces. It's a reminder that no problem, no enemy, no circumstance is too great for Him.
It acknowledges that while your resources or abilities may be limited, His are infinite. This shifts the focus from your weakness to His omnipotence.
In essence, calling upon the name "Lord of Hosts" is not just saying a phrase; it's engaging with the very nature of God as the all-powerful, all-commanding, victorious warrior. It transforms your internal landscape, replacing fear with faith and weakness with reliance on His infinite strength, thereby strengthening your faith in the midst of any challenge.
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