'A Beautiful Name for Himself'

Still, the material loss of the Israelites pales in comparison with the loss of the privilege they have tossed away, namely, that of sharing in the glorifying of God's name.  Moses promised the Jews:  "Jehovah will establish you as a holy people to himself, just as he swore to you, because you continue to keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, and you have walked in his ways.  And all the peoples of the earth will have to see that Jehovah's name has been called upon you, and they will indeed be afraid of you."  (Deuteronomy 28:9, 10)  When Jehovah acted in defense of Abraham's descendants, rescuing  them from slavery in Egypt, he was not doing so simply  to make life more convenient or pleasant for them. He was acting in behalf of something far more important-his name.  Yes, he was seeing to it that his name was  "declared in all the earth."  (Exodus 9:15, 16) And when God showed mercy after the rebellion of Israel in the wilderness, his reason for doing so was not mere sentiment.  Jehovah himself said: "I went acting for the sake of my own name that it might not be profaned before the eyes of the nations." -Ezekiel 20:8-10.

What a powerful conclusion Isaiah then gives to this prophecy!  He says:  "Thus you led your people in order to make a beautiful name for own self." (Isaiah 63:14b)  Now it can be clearly seen why Jehovah fights mightily in the interests of his people.  It is to make a beautiful name for himself.  Isaiah's prophecy thus serves as a powerful reminder that bearing the name of Jehovah is both an awesome privilege and a great responsibility.  True Christians today love the name of Jehovah more than their own lives.  (Isaiah 56:6; Hebrews 6:10)  They are  loath to do anything that could possibly bring reproach upon that sacred name.  They respond to God's loyal love by remaining loyal to him. And because they love Jehovah's beautiful name, they long for the day when he will trample his enemies in the winepress of his anger-not merely because it will benefit them but because it will lead to the glorification of the name of the God they love. -Matthew 6:9.

Next time: A Prayer of Repentance, Chapter Twenty-Five

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001