Names and Titles of God:
A Bible Study for Personal Devotional Use, Small Groups or Sunday
School Classes, and Sermon Preparation for Pastors and Teachers
God's names, titles, and descriptors are windows into his
character. As we learn his names and meditate on
them, we will come to know him more intimately. We will begin to
trust him more fully. And we will find our hearts drawn ever more
passionately to do his will here on earth as it is in heaven. And
so I invite you to undertake a journey with me to explore God by
means of his names.
Why Study the Names and Titles of God?
Should we study the names, titles, metaphors, and descriptors
of God so we can impress others with our God vocabulary? By no
means. I believe there are three ways that a study of God's names
and titles can benefit us, all of them closely related:
Our prayer life is enriched
by having meditated on
God's names, titles, and metaphors. For example, as I've
studied about God as my Shepherd, I find myself calling on God
in prayer as my Shepherd, trusting him to supply my needs and
to guide me.
Our worship is enriched
, as well. With a limited
vocabulary of praise and a limited understanding of God we are
reduced to a kind of hobbled, truncated praise. But as we begin
to know more of God's facets, we are able to praise him better.
Several passages in the Psalms and Isaiah indicate a joy in
naming the titles and metaphors of God before him.
Our faith in and understanding of God is increased
. As
I study how God provides as a shepherd, I now am able to trust
him more fully in this area of my life. Whereas I once had a
lot of anxiety about making ends meet, now my trust in God as
my Shepherd and Provider bring me confidence, assurance, and
joy that was missing before.
Chapters
Most High God ('El `Elyon). We discuss
'El, the generic term
for God and 'Elohim, the plural name used for the Israelite's God. In addition,
we explore titles by which God's exalted nature is revealed: Most
High God, Father of Glory,
High and Lofty One, King of Glory, and My Glory. And we examine
Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek in Genesis 14:17-24.
God of Might ('El Shaddai). We examine the names and
metaphors of God that refer to his power and might, including military might as the
LORD of Hosts/Armies (Yahweh Sabaoth). Also Mighty Warrior and
the LORD our Banner (Yahweh nissi). Joshua
5:13-6:2
Yahweh, I AM, the Eternal God ('El `Olam).
This is God's unique, self-revealed name, sometimes called
Jehovah or the tetragrammaton YHWH. We also examine the eternal
nature of God as the Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, First
and the Last, Everlasting God, I AM,
and the One Who Inhabits Eternity. Exodus 3:1-18.
God Our Creator. We examine God as our Creator, our Potter
as we are clay in his hands, our Builder and Maker. Is 45:5-12
and Psalm 95:1-7.
The Holy and Righteous One.
He is God of Holiness, Justice, and Righteousness.
He is known as Holy, Jealous, Righteous One, the Judge of All the
Earth, the Awe/Fear of Jacob. We'll also consider compound names:
The LORD who Sanctifies You
(Yahweh-M'Kaddesh) and the LORD our
Righteousness (Yahweh-Tsidkenu). He is the Protector of widows
and the fatherless The theme of God requiring ethical
justice is strong in the Bible. Isaiah 6:1-8.
God Our Lord and King. Here we examine God in his role as absolute
sovereign, or Lord and King. We'll consider such titles as King of Glory, God of gods,
and Lord of lords. Psalm 24.
God our Fortress and Protector. A number of metaphors refer to God's
protection for his people. He is our Shield, Fortress, Hiding Place, Keeper, Lifter of Our Head, Refuge, Rock, Shade, Shelter,
and Stronghold. Psalm 91.
The Lord Our Provider and Shepherd, the God who leads us and
supplies our needs. We explore the LORD
who provides (Yahewh-jireh), the LORD Our Shepherd (Yahweh-rohi), the God Who Sees ('El-Roi), the LORD
who provides (Yahewh-jireh), the LORD is our Healer (Yawheh-rapha),
and and The LORD is Here (Yahweh-Shammah).. Psalm
23.
Abba, Father. Jesus especially revealed God as our
Heavenly Father, building on an Old Testament theme. We also
consider God in relationships with his people as Husband, God of Israel, and God of our
Fathers..
The God of All Grace. While the Old Testament revealed the Merciful God,
the God of Love and Peace, and the God of My Mercy, the
New Testament's special emphasis is on God's love and mercy.
Exodus 34:5-7.
God Our Savior and Redeemer. We conclude with a strong theme of God who
rescues his people from trouble -- Deliverer, Redeemer, Savior,
and Horn of Salvation. We'll also consider
The LORD is Peace (Yahweh-Shalom, the name
of Gideon's altar). Mark 10:35-45.
Features of This Book
This study is designed with various of kinds of readers in
mind. It is written for Christians who are seeking to understand
and grow in their faith, though it will be profitable for Jews,
Muslims, and seekers. It is meant to be used for personal study,
in small group Bible studies and adult classes, as well as the
basis for preaching.
Hebrew and Greek Word Studies. Rather than relying on
previous books about the names of God, I've gone back to the
original Hebrew and Greek languages and the conclusions of
contemporary conservative scholars to determine the meanings of
the words as precisely as possible. If you find Hebrew and Greek
confusing, you're not alone. Please accept my condolences and
just skip it. But for preachers, teachers, and small group
leaders I've included this kind of information, as well as
footnoting my sources, so that readers can assess the value of
the information and not just pass it along blindly to their
listeners.
Questions are included at various points in each chapter
to help the reader pause and think more deeply. It's too easy for
us to read unthoughtfully and assume that we understand what we
are reading. The questions are designed to help readers
articulate and apply what they are learning to their own lives
and growing faith. Each question includes a hyperlink to the
Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum where participants can share their
answers to the questions and read what others have written.
Songs and Hymns are ways that we use the names and
character of God in our worship. To help those designing worship
services around the names and titles of God, I have tried to
include some of the more popular hymns and songs that I could
find. My list is, of course, incomplete, so perhaps you'll be
able to suggest some other songs.
Detail of Michelangelo's
"Creation of Adam" (1511), a fresco on the ceiling of the
Sistine Chapel, Vatican.
Lists of the Names and Titles of God in each of eleven
categories are included too. I encourage you to try to use these
ways of addressing God in your prayers for each week of the
study. Your prayers will be richer for it, and so will your
understanding of the great God whom we serve.
How Many Names, Titles, Descriptors, and Metaphors of God Are
There?
Detailed Index will help you quickly find any place where
a particular name of God is mentioned.
Artwork and paintings are windows that help us learn about
God in other ways. I've included some paintings that illustrate
incidents in which God's names were revealed. For those who are
preparing PowerPoint and multimedia presentations, you are
welcome to follow links in my webpage-in-progress,
"Artwork relating to the Names and Titles of God."
Who Is this Book For?
Names and Titles of God is designed for laypeople who want to
make a serious, and at the same time spiritual, study of the
names of God. Small group leaders and teachers will find it a
wonderful guidebook to an 11-week study, complete with handouts
that can be duplicated for group members. Pastors and preachers will find
this 220-page book a rich trove of careful, footnoted research
and reflection on the names of God, as well as application on how
these names should affect our lives.
"Amazed at the constant, reliable depth. I have never
experienced such devotion to God's word." -- Susan Dennis
"Brought me to a deeper place of intimacy and enhanced
my prayer life and times with God." -- Laura Chase
"Direct, straightforward, well-written,
well-researched, easy-to-understand, but not shallow." --
Norman Silver
"Truly anointed. God shows Himself in this study. You
start out reading and the next thing you know it's like God
takes over and He teaches you." -- Lori Binggeli
Order the book. I know it will enrich your thoughts, your
prayers, your worship, and your life.
Yours in Christ's service,
Pastor Ralph
You can study it week-by-week in our
free
online Bible study. But you might like to have the whole
study, either printed out from an e-book or purchased in print
form, to help you keep all your notes in a single place. Why
don't you order a copy. The price is right!
on Jesus and the Kingdom of God
joyfulheart.com
JesusWalk: Beginning the
Journey
