What Can You Learn About the Creator From a Book? - Conclusion of Getting to Know the Author Better

The original pronunciation was eventually lost; modern attempts at recovery are conjectural," notes a Jewish commentary on Exodus. Admittedly, we cannot be certain how Moses pronounced the divine name, which we find at Exodus 3:16 and 6:3. Yet, frankly, who today would feel obligated to try to pronounce Moses' name or Jesus' name with the precise sound and intonation used back when they walked on the earth?  Nonetheless, we do not shrink from referring to Moses and to Jesus by name.  The point is, instead of being excessively concerned over  just how an ancient people speaking another language pronounced God's name, why not use the pronunciation common in our language?  For example, "Jehovah" has been used in English for 400 years, and in the English language, it is still widely accepted as the name of the Creator.

But there is something more significant than details about pronouncing the name.  That is its meaning. The name in Hebrew is a causative form of the verb ha-wah', meaning "to become" or to prove to be."  (Genesis 27:29; Ecclesiastes 11:3)  The Oxford Companion to the Bible offers the meaning " ' he causes' or 'will cause to be.' " Thus, we can sat that the Creator's personal name literally signifies  "He Causes to Become."  Notice that the emphasis is not on the Creator's activity in the remote past, as some might have in mind when using the term"First Cause."  Why not?

Because the divine name is tied in with what the Creator is purposing to do.  There basically are only two states of Hebrew verbs, and he one involved in the Creator's name "denotes actions . . . as in process of development. It does not ex press the mere continuance of an action . . .but the development of it from its beginning towards its completion."  (A Short Account of the Hebrew Tenses)  Yes, by his name,  Jehovah reveals himself to be active as  purposer. We thus learn that-with progressive action-he becomes the Fulfiller of promises.  Many  find it satisfying and reassuring to know that the Creator always brings his purposes to realization.

Next time: What Can You Learn About the Creator From a Book? - His Purpose -Your Purpose

From the book Is There a Creator That Cares About You?