by Matheus Zandona, Har Tzion, Brasil
“Then, if my people, who bear my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
My Name
The name of God is ‘yod hey vav hey‘ – יהוה. This is the name God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:16 and 6:2. This is His memorial name forever and was given for use in the natural realm. His name reveals that He was, is, and will be.
His name – יהוה – is not the same as titles that reveal His character traits. Some of his titles are Elohim (God of gods), Adonai, (the Lord), El Shaddai (The Powerful God), El Gibbor (The Mighty God) , RafaEl (The Healer), El Elyon (The Most High God).
It is important to remember that centuries ago when the Israelites were in Babylonian captivity, they stopped saying His name. They did this in order to keep ‘the name’ from being profaned among the pagans with whom they lived. Because of this decision, the correct pronunciation of God’s name has been lost.
My People
First Chronicles speaks about the people who are called by ‘His Name’ – יהוה. If those people will humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their evil ways, then He will heal their land. What people is being spoken of? What people bears the name of God?
Often times Christians embrace this verse as speaking about them. On one level anyone who has faith in יהוה is part of God’s people. However, at the time these words were spoken, there were no Christians. The people of God were Israel and within Israel, one of the Tribes had a unique name.
Judah or Y’hudah – יהדוה
If we look at the tribal name of Judah or Y’hudah, we can see that it is spelled similarly to the name of God – יהוה. In the middle of the ‘yod hey vav hey’, another letter:, the dalet ד, is added. Thus, the people who are called by God’s Name, who are central to His name, are known as Judah (or Jews).
The letter ‘dalet’ in Hebrew means ‘door’. In the name of Y’hudah, the dalet or door is central to knowing God. It is through ‘a door’ in Judah that יהוה would reveal Himself.
King David
The ‘dalet’ is the letter that begins and ends the name David – ד ו ד. It is the ancient rendering of the ‘dalet’ that makes up the Magen David or Star of David that is seen on the Israeli flag. King David who descended from the Tribe of Judah, was the door or lineage through which the Messiah would come.
The Vav ו found in David’s name means ‘to bind’. King David will bind two ‘doors’ together. The Jewish King David ruled as a king of Israel (and Judah) in this present world. He will once again rule Israel with Jewish King of the Jews, Yeshua, in the world to come (Millennial Kingdom).
Yeshua – יהוה – יהשוה
If we look at the name of Yeshua, we can see that his name is spelled similarly to God’s name as well. In the center of יהוה, the letter ‘shin’ ש, is added. The letter ‘shin’ has several different meanings, but two that are significant are ‘thorn’ and ‘presence of God’. In the middle of God’s presence we will find thorns. Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel descended from the Tribe of Judah and became the door of salvation – ישוע – not only for Israel, but all nations (gentiles).
Simeon, a prophet, when he held Yeshua in his arms said,
“Now, Adonai, according to your word, your servant is at peace as you let him go; for I have seen with my own eyes your yeshu‘ah, which you prepared in the presence of all peoples — a light that will bring revelation to the Goyim and glory to your people Isra’el” (Luke 2:29-32).
“Yeshua therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture” (John 10:7-9).
“I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
God’s People and Moses
In Exodus 6:6-8, Adonai reveals His plan for Israel, their redemption through Y’hudah, Yeshua and their eternal inheritance. This deliverance and redemption is remembered in the Passover memorial every year.
“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the יהוה”.
This is when Moses is told to reveal God’s name to the Israelites. Yeshua is the visible image of the invisible יהוה (Colossians 1:16).
“I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians I will free you from being slaves to them….”
Adonai will bring Israel out from the forced labor (slavery) and the false gods of the Egyptians. Yeshua “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15).
“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”
Yeshua is our redemption. He delivered us from works of sin and evil in our lives. Yeshua gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14).
“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”
Yeshua was given the name of God – King of “Y’hudah”.
And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”
“In Yeshua we also were made [God’s] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will, So that we who first hoped in Messiah [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory! (Ephesians 1:11-12).
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