I AM

Bible Study 11.5.25

Acknowledge Jehovah

Isaiah 42:8 YLT

It may be somewhat difficult for everyone to understand the context behind Isaiah 42:8 if we don’t understand the relationship to all of scripture.

In order to see the big picture it helps to know the name or names of God.

In Isaiah 42:8 we begin with the name I AM Jehovah. In scripture there are over 900 names for God.

“I [am] Jehovah, this [is] My name, And Mine honour to another I give not, Nor My praise to graven images.”

When we put the names of God in context it might help to understand why there are so many names.

For example, Jehovah in the original Hebrew YHWH was the name for God. It is translated as “I AM” or “He is”.

The reason “I AM” is so important for the ancient Hebrews and for us today goes way beyond identification. Names in English are generally used to identify the name we were given at birth. For example, I was given a first name and a middle name. My last name was the name of my father. While there can be differences among various western groups, that is generally how we identify ourselves.

Names in English may have meaning but we do not claim the meaning as being significant to our life purpose. We do however often know by our last name something about the origins of our father. My last name identified me as being Irish American.

Hebrew names had (and have) significant meaning to purposes. For example a name may be given to identify a tribe or clan.

Hebrew names gave a connection to ancestry, it honored the family, and gave a link to the families Hebrew narrative.

In addition to that the Hebrew names gave clues of their link to the Hebrew culture, could have established a link to prophecies of the name, and gave clues to the spiritual essence of the person.

Hebrew parents chose names carefully as they could have future meaning and the name chosen could have a link to the hope the parents had for the child.

In today’s world my first name is Biblical and does have Biblical spelling I was told my name was chosen because my parents liked the name. Because I had studied names I chose my children’s name for the meaning and family connection.

It’s no surprise that because names had significant meaning and purpose, the name identifying God as the only God (THE one), the identifier was “I AM”.

In Isaiah 42:8 the prophet makes it clear that YHWH was the only God. There are no other gods.

YHWH “I AM” is the only God to honor.

YHWH (I AM) does not see any other gods. Remember God, Jesus, Spirit are one.

YHWH (I AM) cannot be seen or identified by any graven image. No carved idol can replicate YHWH (I AM).

God is holy…set apart. The Hebrew word for Holy is Kadosh …קָדוֹשׁ

It means set apart and perfect. We need God because we are NOT perfect. Only through Christ are we whole. Only through God/Jesus…whole.

BE whole in God/Jesus!

Deborah

acrazyjourneycom.com