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John 17:6a – I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world:
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This statement by our Lord is so powerful. Jesus said He had manifested Father’s Name unto those whom Father had given Him. There is much here to examine. First, let’s examine what it means to “manifest a name.” Names have meaning. In our modern world, where names are often made up to suit the whim of a parent, we see clear indication that those who would do so have little if any understanding of the power of the words that come out of their mouth. I know this could be a controversial statement, and that some might “have their feelings hurt” by it. I do not make this statement to injure anyone, but to make the reader aware that words carry power; enormous power. The Scriptures are replete with examples of this truth.
Abram (meaning “father”) had his name changed to Abraham (meaning “father of nations”), and he has become the father of our faith. Jacob (meaning “usurper”) had his name changed to Israel (according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible means “he will rule as God”). The name Methuselah means “when he dies it will happen,” and it was the year that Methuselah died that the flood of Noah took place. Can there be any doubt that words are powerful, and that would especially apply to names. Once again I encourage you to read our Text for Today.
With that in mind, let us consider the “name(s)” of God. In Genesis 17 we encounter El Shaddai, a name have a broad meaning. “El” is “the almighty one.” “Shaddai” comes from an ancient word meaning “breasty one.” Two other names used for God in the Old Testament are “Jehovah,” meaning “Lord,” and “Elohim,” the plural version of “Eloi” meaning “Gods” (the Trinity). And as we read through the Old Testament, we encounter the redemptive names of God. Each one is preceded by the name “Jehovah.” They are “Jehovah Rohi” (the Lord my Shepherd), “Jehovah Jireh” (the Lord my Provider), “Jehovah Shalom” (the Lord my Peace), “Jehovah Rapha” (the Lord my Healer), “Jehovah Tsidkenu” (the Lord my Righteousness), “Jehovah Nissi” (the Lord my Banner), “Jehovah M’Kaddesh” (the Lord my Sacrificer), “Jehovah Shammah” (the Lord is there). And while I have given you here eight redemptive names of Jehovah, this is not an exhaustive list of terms used to speak forth the name of Jehovah. And when Jesus said that He had manifested the Name of His Father to all those Father had given Him, the immensity of that task is truly monumental. Yet He did it, and that fully. And having done it for us, it is without a doubt our responsibility to study it, learn it, and live our lives submitted to it, for therein resides our life, blessing, and victory.
Manna for Today – John 17; John 14:12-14; John 15:7; John 16:23; Mark 11:22-24; Luke 4:18-21; John 8:29; Luke 1:37; Hebrews 1:3; Joshua 1:6-9; Proverbs 4:20-23; Matthew 12:35-37
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My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 