JESUS AND JEHOVAH---AN UNDENIABLE LINK INTRODUCTION Thanks to some overly-pious Jews, the pronunciation of God's name has been lost forever. Out of fear that they might accidently violate the third commandment (i.e., "You shall not take the name of Jehovah your God in vain..."---Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 24:16), ancient Jews refused to pronounce the word which represented God's name (`YHWH'). Instead, they would say the word `adonai' (i.e., "my Lord"). Mistaken Piety This move on the part of the Jews was a mistake for at least two reasons. First, they did not succeed in protecting themselves from violating the third commandment. The commandment is broken whenever one calls on the Lord to witness an oath which he does not keep (Leviticus 19:12; James 5:12). So, it did not matter that the Jews refrained from speaking the actual name of God; the fact that they often showed little regard for His authority, and swore falsely by Him, was condemning enough. Second, by avoiding the name of God (and providing a substitute for it) they violated---in essence---the divine charge: "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it..." (Deuteronomy 4:2). BIBLICAL USAGE God is "Jehovah" Vowels were added to the Hebrew language about A.D. 1000. Since by that time the pronunciation of `YHWH' was lost, the Jews were unable to add the correct vowels; hence it remained unutterable. To remedy this, the vowels from `adonai' were inserted into `YHWH', producing the word `Yahweh'. This has been Anglicized to read Jehovah. Most English versions of the Bible represent `YHWH' with the word LORD, while a few employ "Jehovah." Throughout the Old Testament, the name is applied to the monotheistic God. When Moses demanded that Pharaoh release the Israelites, he did so in the name of "Jehovah." To this Pharaoh responded "Who is Jehovah, that I should hearken unto his voice...?" (Exodus 5:1-2). A psalmist once wrote: "That they may know that thou alone, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18). The name occurs in this way thousands of times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Clearly, God wanted men to know that His "name is Jehovah" (Jeremiah 16:21). "Jehovah" Applied to the Father In the majority of its occurrences, "Jehovah" is applied to the first person of the Godhead (i.e., the "Father"---Matthew 28:19). For example: "Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool" (Psalm 110:1). Jesus explained that this verse pictures the Father addressing His Christ (Luke 20:42). In speaking of Jesus, Peter reminded his audience: "For Moses truly said to the fathers, The Lord (Jehovah) your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you" (Acts 3:22). Hence, this passage pictures the Father (Jehovah) foretelling the coming of His Prophet (the Son). "Jehovah" Applied to the Son Although these applications of "Jehovah" are common in the Scriptures, they do not exhaust its usage; the name is also occasionally applied to Jesus. First, notice the prophecy concerning the mission of John: "The voice of one that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 40:3; see Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4;). John was sent to prepare the way of Jesus Christ---he made that abundantly clear (John 1:29-34). But, Isaiah said that John would prepare the way of Jehovah. Plainly, Jesus and Jehovah are one and the same in these passages. Second, the book of Hebrews quotes the Father as addressing His Son in this way: "You, Lord [Jehovah---Psalm 102:25], in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands" (Hebrews 1:10). Not only does this verse apply the word "Jehovah" to Jesus, but it attributes the quotation to the mouth of God. Again, Jesus and Jehovah are synonymous in these verses. Third, while describing his vision of Jesus, John exclaimed: "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last" (Revelation 1:17). The phrase "First and Last" is a clear reference to Isaiah 44:6 which says: "Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts; I am the first and I am the last; and besides me there is no God." By saying that He is "First and Last" Jesus claimed to possess the nature of Jehovah. The Lord's statement was either true or blasphemous! Who among His friends will charge the Christ with blasphemy? CONCLUSION Although the Bible has much more to say on this topic, these three examples clearly identify Jesus with Jehovah. It is only when one recognizes this truth, that he can truly appreciate the Savior's nature and the extreme cost of His sacrifice. (C) 1991 Apologetics Press, Inc All Rights Reserved This file may be copied, but is distributed on the understanding that it will not be modified or edited, and will not be used for commercial purposes. Further, it may not be copied without due reference to the original publication source, author, year, and name and address of the publisher. Apologetics Press 230 Landmark Drive Montgomery, AL 36117-2752 Downloaded from: The Christian Connection of Palm Beach 300/1200/2400 bps 407/533/5216