S4 E8: The Names of God--Part 2

Season 4 of Spirit-Led Hope is covering the Doctrine of God, or theology, from a Spirit-led perspective. In this episode, Glenn continues a discussion on the names of God. Specifically, this episode looks at five of God's names that begin with his personal name of Yahweh. The episode also looks at the importance of these names in the life of a Spirit-led believer.

This episode has a transcript. If your podcast player does not support transcripts, please go to the Transcripts section of https://spiritledhope.com/ . These transcripts have been edited for accuracy and are typically of higher quality than those produced automatically by many podcast apps.

Season 4 is part of a long term goal to study systematic theology from a Spirit-led perspective. If you want to know more about systematic theology, or expand your study, Glenn is using the following text as a helpful framework to make sure the main topics are covered:  Foundations of Pentecostal Theology, by Guy P. Duffield and Nathaniel M. Van Cleave.  The book is published by Foursquare Media and Glenn is using the Second Edition published in 2016.       

Transcript

S4 E8 TRANSCRIPT 

THE NAMES OF GOD--PART 2

INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone and welcome to Spirit-Led Hope. My name is Glenn Erichsen, and in this episode, we are looking at:

     THE NAMES OF GOD—PART 2

This is our first episode of the year…so Happy New Year everyone!

In the last episode we looked at the general names of God in the Old and New Testaments. We also looked at, Yahweh, his personal name. In this episode we will continue by looking at other names for God that we find throughout Scripture.

One thing I should clarify, is that we are not going to discuss every name of God in the Bible. For example, in the last episode we talked about ‘elohim, or ‘elohim, depending on the how you want to pronounce it. We could have also mentioned El Elyon or El Shaddai or several others, but these are less common. If you want to know more of God’s names, this is a great area for self-study.

Something else we have not done yet is go into more detail about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These are three names for God we use all the time. We will talk more about them when we discuss the Trinity.

As we continue in this episode to look at more names, you will see that some of the names we are discussing feel more like a title given to God. And this is because names in the Jewish culture, often represented something about the person who bore that name. And this is one of the reasons we are talking about the names of God. In the Bible, God’s names give insight into who he is.

For the next several minutes, we are going to look at five names of God which are founded in his personal name of Yahweh. 

YAHWEH RAAH

The first name of God we are going to look at is Yahweh Raah. Again, as I mentioned in the last episode, my apologies if I horribly mispronounce these names…but I am not going to try and act like I can speak fluent Hebrew. Please do your own research to find the pronunciation you are comfortable with because you will hear these Hebrew names spoken by English speakers in many different ways. The main thing is that we understand what the name means. In your own study you will also find that scholars may emphasize different variations in spelling. For example, instead of Yahweh Raah, you may see Yahweh Rohi. Raah and Rohi both come from the same Hebrew root word and mean the same thing. So do not let that confuse you.

So where do we find Yahweh Raah in the Bible? If you have never heard of this name before, then it may surprise you that you most likely know the verse in which this name is used. Let me read it…

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1 ESV

That is the very first verse in the well-known 23rd Psalm. If you look at the Hebrew manuscripts which became our Bible, you will find that the personal name of God is combined with this other word “Raah.” “Raah” means a shepherd. So, the name “Yahweh Raah” means “The Lord is My Shepherd.”

It is easy to imagine why David declared this to be a name of God. As a boy, David took care of his family’s flock of sheep. We know he made sure they were well fed and protected. I can picture David thinking about his time as a shepherd and how God cared for the nation of Israel in the same way.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus taking on this same position. In John 10:11, Jesus said this:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:11 CSB

Notice that Jesus said he was the good shepherd? Living under a bad shepherd would be terrifying. You would never know when you were going to eat or drink. You would be anxious that danger was everywhere. But Jesus is a good shepherd. In Episode 4 we discussed that God is good. Jesus can only be a good shepherd because his very nature is one of goodness.

YAHWEH JIREH

The second name we are looking at in this episode is Yahweh Jireh, or Yahweh Yireh depending on how the scholars translating your Bible might view the original Hebrew. I am going use Yahweh Jireh because I was raised learning it as Jehovah Jireh, but we already said in Episode 7 that Yahweh is a better translation than Jehovah. Also, in areas of uncertainty, I am sticking to what Duffield and Van Cleave used in “Foundations of Pentecostal Theology,” our reference book for this Season…and they use Yahweh Jireh.

The meaning of the name “Yahweh Jireh” comes out of the book of Genesis where Abraham is ready to sacrifice Isaac. Let us pick up the story when Abraham and Isaac have arrived at the place where God directed them to go.

When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide, so today it is said, “It will be provided on the LORD’s mountain.”

Genesis 22:9-14 CSB 

What we see here is that God’s name of Yahweh Jireh means “The Lord Will Provide.” In these verses, we see that God provided for Abraham just what he needed at just the right moment. Of course, this was looking forward to the provision of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who became our substitute.

As a side note, Lamb of God is another name for Jesus, and thus is another name for God. We may cover that in a future episode…we shall see.

YAHWEH NISSI

The next name of God we are looking at is “Yahweh Nissi.” And this name comes from the account of a battle which the Israelites fought while Moses was still leading them. Let us read the account from the book of Exodus where Moses is supported by two men, Aaron and Hur.

At Rephidim, Amalek came and fought against Israel. Moses said to Joshua, “Select some men for us and go fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with God’s staff in my hand.” Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword. The LORD then said to Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua: I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and named it, “The LORD Is My Banner.”

Exodus 17:8-15 CSB

And this is where we get the meaning of God’s name Yahweh Nissi. Yahweh Nissi means the “The Lord is My Banner.” In a battle, the banner shows who you are fighting for…an example would be carrying a flag into battle so your allegiance can be identified. Sometimes the banner is waved as a rallying point for the troops. 

In the battle with Amalek, it was clear that God was responsible for the victory because the Israelites only prevailed when God’s staff was raised. Moses built an altar and named God “Yahweh Nissi” so that we would know that God is our rallying point, and the one who will secure our victory.

In the New Testament, we see that Jesus is the ultimate banner. Here is what Jesus said about himself in John 12:32.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

John 12:32 ESV

Jesus, on the cross, became a banner visible to all people. Everyone has a choice to give him their allegiance and make him their rallying point and source of victory.

YAHWEH RAPHA

Our fourth name of God is “Yahweh Rapha.” This name comes from an event that happened shortly after the Israelites left Egypt. Let us read about it from the book of Exodus.

Then Moses led Israel on from the Red Sea, and they went out to the Wilderness of Shur. They journeyed for three days in the wilderness without finding water. They came to Marah, but they could not drink the water at Marah because it was bitter ​— ​that is why it was named Marah. (Just a side note…you may have figured out that the word Marah means bitterness.  All right, let us continue.) The people grumbled to Moses, “What are we going to drink?” So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he threw it into the water, the water became drinkable. The LORD made a statute and ordinance for them at Marah, and he tested them there. He said, “If you will carefully obey the LORD your God, do what is right in his sight, pay attention to his commands, and keep all his statutes, I will not inflict any illnesses on you that I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

Exodus 15:22-26 CSB

From this account, we learn that Yahweh Rapha means “The Lord is My Healer” or “The Lord Who Heals.” 

When we look at these verses and think about the plagues on the Egyptians, things like boils breaking out on their bodies, we understand that God’s name shows his power and desire for physical healing. If we look throughout Scripture, we also see that God cares about healing for our whole being…body, soul, and spirit. In other words, Yahweh Rapha is a name which embodies all types of healing.

I think it is interesting that healing in these verses was a conditional promise. The Israelites were told that sickness could result if they did not obey God. We do not need to fear that one sin will cause boils to break out on our body. But at the same time, we also know that some of our choices can lead to sickness. And we do live in a broken world where sickness and death are a reality.

The good news for us is that Jesus fully embodies the name of Yahweh Rapha. In Matthew 4:23 we read this:

Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Matthew 4:23 CSB

I know that the topic of healing is sometimes difficult, but because God is Yahweh Rapha, we can always ask for healing. If you want to know more about healing and the gifts of healing, check out Episodes 22, 23, and 24 of Season 1.

YAHWEH SHALOM

Our last name of God in this episode is Yahweh Shalom. Now because the word “shalom” is well known you may have guessed that “Yahweh Shalom” means “The Lord is My Peace.” And that is what it means.

This name of God shows up in the book of Judges. There we read about a man named Gideon who unknowingly had a conversation with the angel of the Lord. But then Gideon figures out who he is talking to and we read these verses:

When Gideon realized that he was (speaking to) the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face! ” But the LORD said to him, “Peace to you. Don’t be afraid, for you will not die.” So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace.

Judges 6:22-24

The Hebrew word “shalom” has a much broader meaning than the English word “peace.” Shalom means more of a wholistic well-being that can include health, prosperity, and soundness. It can mean personal peace or peace on a larger scale, like between nations.

In some ways, when I end each episode asking that God would fill you with joy and peace, that is asking for shalom.

Because one of the names of God is “Yahweh Shalom,” it makes sense that Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace,” or the “Prince of Shalom.” This is why Jesus, before he was crucified, said this to the disciples:

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

John 14:27 CSB

I love this verse because Jesus knew the disciples would need shalom to get them through the next few days…and he gave it to them.

SPIRIT-LED APPLICATION

So, we just mentioned five names of God that include his personal name of Yahweh:

·        Yahweh Raah—The Lord is My Shepherd

·        Yahweh Jireh—The Lord Will Provide

·        Yahweh Nissi—The Lord is My Banner

·        Yahweh Rapha—The Lord is My Healer

·        Yahweh Shalom—The Lord is My Peace

So, what is the big deal about knowing these names? I mean, what is in a name anyway?

Well, with these names it is a big deal. Remember, these names are not just names, but revelations of God’s character, and what he is like. This has tremendous implications and applications for us as we live a Spirit-led life. 

Because the Holy Spirit is God, each one of these names applies to him. Let me give a simple example of how that applies to us.

A Spirit-led life is an adventure where our own abilities and intellect yield to God and work in concert with the indwelling Holy Spirit. We can confidently follow the Holy Spirit because he is Yahweh Raah, The Lord is My Shepherd. He is a good shepherd, and we can trust his guidance and where he leads us. And that applies to however he leads us…which could be through Scripture, or through his voice, or through Godly counsel…however the Holy Spirit chooses. 

If we need provision for ourselves or to accomplish the tasks given to us, the Holy Spirit is Yahweh Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. If the Holy Spirit asks us to do something he will equip us with what we need…he is our provider.

If there is spiritual warfare, then the Holy Spirit meets us as Yahweh Nissi, The Lord is My Banner. The Holy Spirit will always guide us to the feet of Jesus, the living banner, and we move forward in the power of his name. And if we are wounded in any way, then we rely on Yahweh Rapha, The Lord is My Healer. 

If you think about everything I just listed where God is our shepherd, he provides for us, he is our banner, and healer, then there is no doubt that he meets us as Yahweh Shalom, The Lord is My Peace. We can have peace in this life, independently of the circumstances in which we live.

This is just one quick example of how these names of God reveal his character and how he works in our lives. And do not forget that God is all these names simultaneously. He is all these things all the time.

Be encouraged and gain strength as you reflect upon these names of God. God is all these things to all who put their trust in him.

CLOSING

In our next episode we are going to take a deep breath and begin looking at the Trinity.

As always, you can send me comments, suggestions, or questions, by email at glenn@spiritledhope.com, or simply use the Contact Form at spiritledhope.com. That is spiritLEDhope.com. You can also send me a one-way text message by going to the episode show notes and clicking on the link with your smart phone. This is one of the ways you can encourage me.

If you find these episodes useful, please share them with your friends, leave a good review on your podcast app, and make sure to follow the podcast so that you are notified when the next episode is published.

As we start the new year…

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Until the next episode, take care.

Copyright 2025 Spirit-Led Hope