Knowing Him by Name: Short Devotional Readings on the Names and References to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

By Lewis G. Larking

Knowing Him by Name is a book of 336 short devotional readings based on the names and references to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The names of God reveal details about his character. A person knowing these names, and the context in which they occur in Scripture, will be able to better understand the nature of God. The aim of every Christian should be to increase our knowledge of God. In turn, what we know about God should help transform us into his likeness as we apply these insights to our lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: Feb 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532673849

Lewis G. Larking

Lewis G. Larking is a retired teacher with classroom experience from elementary schools through university level. In his retirement, he has studied New Testament Greek, and then taught this subject at Bible college for several more years. Lewis lives in Brisbane, Queensland, following a successful teaching and lecturing career spanning New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and Brunei Darussalam.

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Knowing Him by Name

Short Devotional Readings on the Names and References to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

Lewis G. Larking

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Knowing Him by Name

Short Devotional Readings on the Names and References to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

Copyright ©

2019

Lewis G. Larking. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers,

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Resource Publications

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paperback isbn: 978-1-5326-7382-5

hardcover isbn: 978-1-5326-7383-2

ebook isbn: 978-1-5326-7384-9

Manufactured in the U.S.A.

May 2, 2019

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Preface

Introduction

Abbreviations

Names for, and References to, God the Father

God (Elohim) Creator of Heaven and Earth

The Great God—El

The LORD God

God Most High—El Elyon LORD God Most High

The Sovereign LORD—Adonai

The God who sees me—El Roi

God Almighty—El Shaddai

The Everlasting and Eternal God—El Olam

The God of Bethel

God, the God of Israel—El Elohe Israel

The Mighty One of Jacob

The LORD Who Heals You—YHWH Rophi

The LORD Will Provide—YHWH Jireh

The LORD is my Banner—YHWH Nissi

The LORD, Whose Name is Jealous

My Presence

The Compassionate and Gracious God

A Merciful God

The LORD Who Makes You Holy—M’quaddishkhem

The God of Jeshurun

God of Gods and Lord of Lords

The Lord of all the Earth

The LORD is Peace—YHWH Shalom

The LORD Almighty, The LORD of Hosts/Armies—YHWH Sabaoth

A God Who Knows

The Glory of Israel

My Stronghold, my Refuge, my Savior

My Lamp

God over all the Kingdoms of the Earth

The God of Heaven

The Great and Awesome God

The One Enthroned in Heaven

My King and My God

O LORD our Lord

The Praise of Israel

My Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer

My Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold

The King of Glory

The God of Glory

My Shepherd

My Light, My Salvation, My Stronghold

The LORD Strong and Mighty, the LORD Mighty in Battle

The Ruler of All Things

The God of Truth

My Hiding Place

The King of all the Earth

My Strength, My Fortress, My Loving God

A Father to the Fatherless, a Defender of Widows

The Shepherd of Israel

The God who Saves Me

The LORD Our Maker

My God the Rock

A Forgiving God

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

The Lord is Your Shade

The Holy One

A Strong Tower

The Mighty One of Israel

Immanuel—God with us

The Light of Israel . . . the Holy One, a flame

The Mighty God

The LORD the LORD—Yah, YHWH

A Glorious Crown, a Spirit of Justice, a Source of Strength

The Rock of Israel

The Holy One of Israel

The God and Savior of Israel

Our Redeemer

The LORD Your Maker

The God of all the Earth

The Potter

The Spring Of Living Water

The Living God

The Eternal King

The LORD, the God of Israel

The Hope of Israel

The Arm of the LORD

The LORD Our Righteousness—YHWH Tsidkenu

The One I Praise

The LORD Is There—YHWH Shammah

The King of Heaven

The Ancient of Days

Prince of Princes, The Prince of the Host

The Watchman over Ephraim

My Husband

The Pride of Jacob

The LORD Your God

The One Who Breaks Open the Way

The LORD our God

A Refuge

A Wall of Fire

A Refiner and Purifier

My Father

The Lord of the Harvest

The Living Father

The Judge

Abba Father

The Immortal God

The God of the Jews . . . The God of the Gentiles

The God of Hope

The Only Wise God

The Father of Compassion

The God of all Comfort

The God of Love

God our Father

The Glorious Father

To Him who is Able

The God of Peace

The King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only God

The Savior of all Men

God, the Blessed and Only Ruler

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

The Majesty in Heaven

The Father of spirits

A Consuming Fire

The Lord is my Helper

The Father of the Heavenly Lights

The One Lawgiver and Judge

The One Who is Able to Save and Destroy

A Faithful Creator

The God of all Grace

The Majestic Glory

The Only God Our Savior

He Who Is and Who Was and Who Is To Come

The King of the Ages/Nations

I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Almighty

The Mighty One

The Lord God Almighty

The LORD, the God of the Hebrews

The Lord of Hosts

The Blessed and Only Ruler

The Dew of Israel

Names for, and References to, God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ

A Shoot

My Servant

The Son of the Most High

My Righteous Servant

The Consolation of Israel

The Christ—Messiah

The Chosen One

The Branch

He Who Had No Sin

Jesus Christ the Son of God

The Son of David

The Son

The Son of God

The Son of Man

The Son of the Blessed One

The Mighty God

Wonderful Counselor

The Everlasting Father

The Prince of Peace

The Author of their Salvation

The Messenger of the Covenant

God, the One and Only

The Word

The Word of Life

The Bread of God

Shiloh

A Witness to the Peoples, a Leader and Commander

A Covenant for the People

A Light for the Gentiles

The Rising Sun

The True Light

The Lamb of God

A Ruler who will be the Shepherd

A Prophet

A Man

The Living Bread

Rabbi

Lord of the Sabbath

The Holy One of God

I, I AM

The Light of the World

The Bread of Life

The Gate for the Sheep

The Good Shepherd

The Lord

The Resurrection and the Life

The Way the Truth and the Life

Your Lord and Teacher

My Lord and My God

The One Greater than Jonah, The One Greater than Solomon

The Bridegroom

The Christ of God

A Friend of Tax Collectors and Sinners

King of the Jews

The One who was going to Redeem Israel

A Man of Sorrows

The Christ, the Son of the Living God

The Physician

Jesus of Nazareth

A Man Accredited by God

A Prince and Savior

Lord and Christ

The Holy and Righteous One

The Author of Life

The Anointed One

The Man He Has Appointed

Christ, who is God over All

Jesus is Lord

The Lord of All

A Deliverer

The Lord of both the Dead and the Living

A Servant of the Jews

Christ the Power of God

Christ . . . the Wisdom of God

Our Righteousness, Holiness, and Redemption

Christ our Passover Lamb

The Lord of Glory

The Rock

The First Fruits

The Last Adam

The Man from Heaven

Jesus Christ is Lord

A Husband

His Indescribable Gift

The One He Loves

Your Seed

The Head that is Christ

Our Peace

A Fragrant Offering and Sacrifice

The Carpenter, Mary’s Son

The Image of the Invisible God

The Beginning and the First Born from among the Dead

The Hope of Glory

The Head over Every Power and Authority

A Master in Heaven

Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord of Peace

Christ Jesus Our Hope

The Man Christ Jesus

The Master

Our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ

The Heir of All Things

The Radiance of God’s Glory

The Exact Representation of His Being

The One Who Makes Men Holy

The Apostle and High Priest

The Source of Eternal Salvation

A Great High Priest

A Priest Forever in the Order of Melchizedek

The Guarantee of a Better Covenant

The Mediator of the New Covenant

A Ransom

The Architect and Builder

The Author and Perfecter of Our Faith

The Judge of All Men

Our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ

The Great Shepherd of the Sheep

The Noble Name

A Lamb without Blemish

The Shepherd and Overseer

The Living Stone

Christ as Lord

The Chief Shepherd

Our Lord and Savior

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

The Life, The Eternal Life

The Righteous One

The Advocate

The Atoning Sacrifice

The Savior of the World

The True God

Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son

The Name

He who is Holy and True

The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness

Our Only Sovereign and Lord

The Firstborn from the Dead

I Am the First and the Last . . . the Living One

The Ruler of God’s Creation

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

The Word of God

KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS

A Star, a Scepter

A Horn of Salvation

Jesus

A Child, a Son

The Root of Jesse

Your Salvation, . . . a Light for Revelation to the Gentiles, a Glory to Your People Israel

The Bright Morning Star

I Am the Alpha and Omega

Names for, and References to, God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit

The Gift my Father Promised

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD

My Spirit

The Spirit of our God

The Holy Spirit sent from Heaven

The Mind of the LORD

Streams of Living Water

His Spirit

The Breath of the Almighty

Your Good Spirit

A Spirit of Judgment

The Spirit of Fire

The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding

The Spirit of Counsel and Power

The Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord

The Breath of the LORD

Power from on High

The Counselor

A Spirit of Grace and Supplication

The Same Gift

The Spirit of Jesus

The Spirit of Holiness

The Spirit of Life

The Spirit of God

The Spirit of Christ

The Spirit of Him who Raised Jesus from the dead

The Spirit of Sonship

The Spirit

The First fruits of the Spirit

The Spirit who is from God

The Holy Spirit who is in You

The One and the Same Spirit

The One Spirit

The Spirit of the Lord

The Spirit of the Living God

The Lord who is the Spirit

The Spirit of His Son

The Promise of His Spirit

A Seal

A Deposit

The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

His Power that is at Work Within Us

The Holy Spirit of God

The Spirit of Jesus Christ

His Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit Whom He Poured Out

Spirit of Truth

The Eternal Spirit

The Spirit of Grace

The Spirit He Caused to Live in Us

The Spirit of Glory

The Power of the Most High

The Spirit He Gave Us

The Sevenfold Spirit

Preface

Knowing Him by Name is a series of short devotional studies on the names and references to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each reading was limited to around 175 words and prepared for the weekly Church Bulletin at the Mueller Community Church, Rothwell, Queensland, Australia.

This collection is now dedicated to my dearest wife June and our children Christopher and Margaret, and their respective families. I also thank June and Margaret for their typing and editing of the text.

The readings come to you, and to the wider Christian community, with my prayer that in reading about these names and references to God you will want to know him better. As God said to Jeremiah: "let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me," (9:24). I trust you will want to make this your boast.

Introduction

A name represents the person who owns the name. When we read the many names, titles and metaphors referring to God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, they reveal something about God’s character. Therefore to understand a name is to know something of God’s nature and person.

Increasing our understanding of God so that we can know him must be a priority for every Christian. It was the Apostle Paul’s ambition: I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, (Philippians 3:10).

As we meditate on the names of God, we can expect the Holy Spirit will use our knowledge about God to transform us into the likeness of God, (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Getting to know God will be a lifelong task. Think of it as a journey with each name of God as a road sign. Each time you read about one of his names it will point the way to him. Pray that God will help you to know him.

Abbreviations

KJV King James Version

NIV New International Version

RSV Revised Standard Version

Names for, and References to, God the Father

God (Elohim) Creator of Heaven and Earth

(Genesis 14:19)

Elohim is the plural form of the Hebrew name for God that occurs about 2,500 times in the Old Testament and thirty times in the first chapter of Genesis. The name embraces the idea of his eternal being and his almighty power as the Creator.

Nine times in Genesis 1 we read that God said, and on each occasion something further was created. The Genesis account confirms that God saw his original creation as very good and pleasing to him (1:31).

Hebrews 11:3 reminds us that what is seen was not made out of what was visible, while Romans 4:17 states that he is the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

Reflection: Being made in the image of God, and being made new in Christ Jesus means that the creative nature of God is part of our new nature. Developing our creativity should be part of our development as we grow in Christ.

The Great God—El

The LORD your God (Elohim) is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God (El), mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes, (Deuteronomy 10:17).

The shortened form of the Hebrew name Elohim is El, which also has the meaning of an all-powerful God. What is significant about this title, the Great God, is that God revealed his greatness to Israel at a time of great need. He therefore expected them to act in ways that were upright, bringing Him honor among the nations.

As we worship the Great God through Christ Jesus, we also have an obligation to bring honor to Him and share his love in practical ways with others.

Reflection: Living selfishly comes from yielding to the false gods of our culture that lead us to think we can bring security and protection to our lives through our possessions. Have you thought that when you deal uprightly with people and help the needy, you are honoring the Great God?

The LORD God

The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground, (Genesis 2:7).

In Genesis 2, the name the LORD God is mentioned eleven times. This is the first time the name LORD, or YHWH is mentioned in the Bible. Its use lets the reader know that the name God, in the first chapter, is the same divine person that is mentioned here.

The name LORD God therefore combines the identity of the all-powerful Creator God with his identity as LORD, the one who is eternally self-existent and in covenant relationship with mankind. The name informs us that God intended Adam and Eve to have a special relationship with him.

However, this covenant relationship with the LORD God was broken through their sin of disobedience, and so they were expelled from the Garden of Eden.

Reflection: Satan continues to deceive people into thinking they can disobey the LORD God and live independently of him. Rather, knowing the LORD God means a living relationship in dependence on him.

God Most High—El Elyon LORD God Most High

Blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand, (Genesis 14:20).

The name God Most High refers to God as preeminent and supreme over all. The name occurs on the occasion when Abraham returned from a victory over the kings and was met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High (Genesis 14).

Melchizedek blessed him in the name of God Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth. Abraham was then told that God had given him his victory (14:20) and so he gave Melchizedek a tithe, or one-tenth of the spoils of the battle.

Abraham now knew who was responsible for the victory, and so he acknowledged God as the LORD God Most High, (14:22).

Reflection: The LORD God Most High is still preeminent and ready to listen to and work on behalf of his people. Like Abraham, we too need to be generous in giving to God as an expression of our thanks.

The Sovereign LORD—Adonai

(Genesis 15:2)

The name Lord, written in the Old Testament in lower case letters, refers to the majesty and authority of the Lord as Sovereign. It complements God’s personal name of LORD (YHWH).

The first mention of the name was the occasion when Abraham expected a son based on God’s promise (Genesis 12:2–3). Twenty years had passed and at eighty-five years of age there was still no child. Abraham shared his concern with the LORD recognizing him as Sovereign Lord (15:2). The LORD then assured him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the sky.

Abraham was given new hope, but now had to continue living by faith even when he still did not see the solution to his problem.

Reflection: Trusting God against seemingly impossible odds was not easy for Abraham and it will not be easy for us. Knowing the Lord as Sovereign and learning to believe his word and obey him is the pathway to knowing God and realizing his purposes for our lives.

The God who sees me—El Roi

(Genesis 16:13)

Hagar had been Sarah’s maid but the maid/mistress relationship changed when Sarah knew that Hagar was soon to be the mother of Abraham’s child. Sarah began to mistreat her and so Hagar ran off into the desert thus threatening her