FIRST FRUIT FASTING EXERCISE Jan.22 – Feb 11. 2024 (Day 16)
Theme: JUMPING IN THE JOY OF JUBILEE
Texts: Ps.4:3-8; 32:11; 126:1-6
Subtexts: Ex. 20:7, Prov. 18:10-13
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The flurry of fearful sights and negative news flying around the nations makes it necessary for the child of God to be fully equipped with truth so as to enjoy peace of heart in the midst of the contemporary commotion. (Ps. 23:1-5; 4:7-8)
The revelation of the name of the Lord will birth a life of moral excellence and resounding faith, notwithstanding the billows.
Let‟s view the 3
rd commandment and conclude with the assertion: the name of the Lord is a strong tower.
„Respect for the name of the Lord‟ is one of the 10 commandments which indicts the improper use of God‟s name (cons. Lev. 24:10-16), and insinuates a directive to exalt it through pious deeds and praise (Prov. 30:8,9). The Divine name Yahweh (transliterated Jehovah) appeared in the Hebrew texts as a tetragrammaton
YHWH because the scribes so hallowed the name that they feared people getting into blasphemy by improperly pronouncing the divine name. So they combined consonants of Yahweh and vowels of Hebrew word Adonai (meaning Lord) so readers could pronounce “Adonai” which replaced the tetragrammaton.
While their fear may be at the extreme, the obligation to treat the proper name with reverence must not be downplayed. Using the name of God lightly and carelessly for jesting, sports or charms, rash or false swearing attracts divine retribution. (Ex. 20:7b, Lev. 24:10-16)
The insinuated directive in that commandment to exalt the Lord‟s name through pious deeds reflected in the Master‟s prayer format: “Hallowed be Thy name” (Matt. 6:9, Prov. 30:7-9)
So as in 2 Tim. 2:19, anybody that is associated with the name of the Lord is required to depart from iniquity:
Hypocrisy-making profession of God‟s name but not living up to that profession. (1 Tim. 4:2)
Covenant breaking – failure to carry out a promised act; acts of scandalization etc. fall under breakage of the 3
rd commandment. (2 Tim. 3:1-3,5, Ps. 15:1-2,4)
- THE ASSERTION: THE NAME OF THE LORD IS A STRONG TOWER
One major school of thought states that: The name of the Lord is a biblical expression of the whole character of God. So it refers to God‟s Person and Character. The proper names of God were all expressions of His divine character at one time or the other, hence
Jehovah Elohim – God of gods (Gen. 1:1),
El Roi – The God who sees me (Gen. 16:13,14),
El Olam – Everlasting God (Gen. 21:33),
Jehovah Jireh – The Lord my Provider (Gen. 22:13-14),
Yahweh – He
brings into existence whatever exists (Ex. 6:2-3),
Jehovah Rapha – The God who heals (Ex. 15:26),
Jehovah Mekaddishkem – The Lord who sanctifies (Ex.31:13, Lev. 20:8),
Jehovah Shalom – The Lord is Peace (Judg. 6:22-24),
Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is my Banner (Ex. 17:14-16),
Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of armies (2 Kgs. 6:15-16).
Jehovah Raah – The Lord my shepherd (Ps. 23:1),
Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is there (Ps. 46:1),
Adonai – Lord (Ps. 135:5),
El Elyon – The Most High (Deut. 26:19, Isa. 45:6-7),
Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness (Jer. 23:5-6),
El Shaddai – The Almighty (2 Cor. 12:9).
The church fathers saw “the name of God” as a
representative of the entire system of divine truth revealed to the faithful (cons. Mic. 4:5, Rev. 3:12) The teachings of Jesus was presented as the manifestation of the name of God to the disciples. (Jn. 17:6) The baptism and later crucifixion/sacrifice of Jesus for the ensuing salvation were portrayed by the Father as a glorification of His name. (Jn. 12:28)
Seeing that the term “strong tower” is figurative of impregnability/preservation, the assertion means that
embracing God and His truth is a guarantee for infallible protection/preservation.
At such a perilous time as we live, confidence in the Lord and His word is the guarantee for crossing over and crossing over and crossing over, till ministry is fulfilled (Prov. 21:31, Isa. 46:10-12, Jer. 32:27, 33:3).
