The Name of Yahweh, Part 2 (#2 in Yahweh and the Angel of Yahweh)

When my parents named me, they gave me the first name of my father (and it was also the second or middle name of my grandfather) and, from who knows where, they came up with the second or middle name of Randall. Randall is what they always called me. When I got in school there were those who knew my name was Randall but would want to call me Randy instead. I suppose a diminutive of our name, as we call it, is intended as an affectionate address, but I didn’t like it, and my mom really didn’t like it. Were they taking my name in vain? Not really.

Yahweh commands His people, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7, King James Version). Other versions translate this, “Do not misuse.” The Message suggests, “No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won’t put up with the irreverent use of his name.” And there is truth to that, but the real concern of Yahweh here is using His name as a backup to your oath that you don’t keep. If you enjoin His name to your oath to assure its truthfulness and then you don’t follow through, you have in essence dishonored the name of Yahweh.

Scripture endorses making oaths or promises in Yahweh’s name (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20; 1 Samuel 20:42; 24:21; 1 Kings 22:16; 2 Kings 2:24; 2 Chronicles 18:15; 36:13; Isaiah 48:1; Jeremiah 12:16; Zephaniah 5:4) and, in Jeremiah 44:26, Yahweh even swears by His own name.

But hear the word of Yahweh, all you Jews living in Egypt: ‘I swear by my great name,’ says Yahweh, ‘that no one from Judah living anywhere in Egypt will ever again invoke my name or swear, “As surely as the Sovereign Yahweh lives.”

Yahweh’s name is great.

It is the name we are to call on in prayer (Genesis 4:26; 12:8; 13:4; 21:33; 26:25; 1 Kings 18:24; 2 Kings 5:11; Psalm 99:6; 116:4,13,17; Lamentations 3:55; Joel 2:32; Zephaniah 3:9; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; 1 Corinthians 1:2).

It is the name we are to honor and love (Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 28:58; 32:3; 2 Samuel 22:50; 2 Chronicles 16:8,10,29; Nehemiah 1:11; 9:5; Job 1:21; Psalm 7:17; 8:1,9; 18:49; 20:5; 29:2; 30:4; 34:3; 54:6: 68:4; 86:9,12; 91:14; 92:1; 96:2; 96:8; 97:12; 102:21; 103:1; 105:1,3; 106:47; 113:1,2,3; 115:1; 119:55; 122:4; 129:8; 135:1,3,13; 145:21; 148:5,13; Isa 12:4; 24:15; 25:1; 26:8,13; 55:6; 63:14,16; Jeremiah 3:17).

But we can misuse Yahweh’s name (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 18:21; 19:12; 21:6; 22:2,32; 24:16; Deuteronomy 5:11; Psalm 74:18; Proverbs 30:9; Isaiah 52:5; 65:15; Jeremiah 29:23; Ezekiel 20:39; 36:22,23; Zechariah 13:3; Malachi 1:6; 2:2).

Yahweh Himself proclaims His own name (Exodus 34:5; Ezekiel 39:7,25; Daniel 9:15; Joel 2:26; Malachi 3:16; Acts 9:15; 19:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Timothy 2:19; Revelation 15:4). In fact, He is jealous for it (Exodus 34:14; Daniel 9:15). He does good things despite us for the sake of His name (1 Samuel 12:22; Psalm 25:11; 109:21; 143:11; Jeremiah 14:7; Ezekiel 20:44)

We are to do things in His name, right and good things commensurate with His character:

• bless people Deuteronomy (10:8; 21:5; 2 Samuel 6:18; 1 Chronicles 23:13)
• prophesy and preach (Deuteronomy 18:22; 26:2; 1 Chronicles 21:19; 2Chronicles 33:18; Jeremiah 11:21; 14:14,15; 26:16,20; 27:15; 29:9,21; 44:16; Matthew 7:22; Acts 9:27,28; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; James 5:10)
• fight unrighteous enemies (1 Samuel 17:45; 20:42; 2 Chronicles 14:11; Psalm 118:10,11,12)
• honor friendship (1 Samuel 40:22)
• build altars (1 Kings 18:32)
• call down curses (2 Kings 2:24)
• come in blessing (Psalm 118:26; Micah 4:5; Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; 19:38; John 12:13)
• shepherd Messiah’s flock (Micah 5:4)
• cast out demons (Luke 10:17; Acts 19:13)
• baptize (Acts 8:16; 19:5)
• risk our lives (Acts 15:26; 21:13)
• discipline the unruly (1 Corinthians 5:3)
• find salvation (1 Corinthians 6:11)
• give thanks (Ephesians 5:20)
• do whatever we do (Colossians 3:17)
• anoint for healing (James 5:14)

He has chosen to let His name dwell in the temple in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:11;21; 14:23,24; 16:2,11; 1 Kings 3:2; 5:3,5; 8:17,20,44; 9:3; 2 Kings 21:4,7; 23:27; 1 Chronicles 22:7,8,19; 29:16; 2 Chronicles 2:1,4; 6:7,8,10; 12:13; 33:4; Isaiah 18:7; Jeremiah 17:11,30; 25:29). This is, in effect, the promise that He will dwell there, His name being synonymous with Himself.

He has called Israel, and Gentiles who are saved, by His name (Deuteronomy 28:10; Jeremiah 14:9; 15:16; Daniel 9:19; Amos 9:12; Acts 15:17), and the ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 6:2; 1 Chronicles 13:6).

His name will be great (2 Chronicles 17:24; Zechariah 14:9) and we may trust in it (Psalm 9:10; 20:7; 86:11; 102:15; Isaiah 50:10; 59:19; Zephaniah 3:12; Malachi 1:14) and find protection in it (Psalm 20:1; 124:8; Proverbs 18:10; Zechariah 10:12), even though we may be persecuted for it (Isaiah 66:5; Acts 9:16).

¹⁶ Cover their faces with shame, Yahweh, so that they will seek your name. ¹⁷ May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. ¹⁸ Let them know that you, whose name is Yahweh—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:16-18)