Chapter 3 - WHO IS THE TRUE GOD?

WHY YOU SHOULD USE GOD'S NAME

God's Unique name, Jehovah, serves to differentiate him from all other gods.  That is why that name appears  so often in the Bible, especially in its Hebrew text.  Many translators fail to use the divine name, but  Psalm   83:18 clearly says:  "You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth."  So it is appropriate for  us to use God's personal name when we speak of him.

The name Jehovah is a form of a Hebrew verb meaning "to become."  Thus, God's name means "He Causes to Become."  Jehovah God thereby identifies himself as the Great Purposer.  He always causes  his purposes to become reality.  Only the true God can rightly bear this name, for humans can never be sure that their plans will succeed.  (James 4:13, 14)  Jehovah alone can say:  "So my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. . . .It will have certain success in that for which i have sent it." -Isaiah 55:11.

The Hebrew patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob each "called on the name Jehovah," but they did not know the full significance of the divine name.  (Genesis 21:33; 26:25;  32:9; Exodus 6:3)  When Jehovah later revealed his purpose to deliver  their descendants, the Israelites, from slavery in Egypt and give them "a land flowing with milk and honey,"  this may have seemed impossible.  (Exodus 3:17)  Nevertheless, God emphasized the everlasting significance  of his name by telling his prophet Moses:  "This is what you are to say to the sons of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.'  This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation." -Exodus 3:15.

Moses asked Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to let the Israelites go worship Jehovah in the wilderness.  But Pharaoh, who himself was viewed as a god and who worshiped other Egyptian gods, replied:  "Who is Jehovah, so that I should obey his voice to send Israel away? I do not know Jehovah at all, and what is more,I am not going to send Israel away." -Exodus 5:1, 2.

Jehovah then took progressive action to fulfill his purpose, acting in harmony with the meaning of his name.  He brought ten plagues upon the ancient Egyptians.  The last plague killed all of Egypt's firstborn, including proud Pharaoh's son  Then the Egyptians were eager for Israel to go.  However, some Egyptians were so impressed by Jehovah's power  that they joined the Israelites in leaving Egypt. -Exodus 12:35-38.

Next time: Conclusion of WHY YOU SHOULD USE GOD'S NAME

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995