The Significant Name of God (15)
Also non-Israelites knew and used the Name
André H. Roosma
9 June 2020 (NL original: 1 July 2016)
In previous episodes of this series I have already shown that the Bible
clearly indicates that in Isra’el, even in the time of the kings, the glorious
Name of God, יהוה - YaHUaH 1,
was simply used, albeit with great respect. However, the unsurpassed Name of
the God of Isra’el was not only known and used by the Israelites in testimony,
praise, and the like. The Bible gives several examples of foreigners who also
use this glorious Name with great respect. One of them we encounter in Joshua
2. Isra’el is about to enter the promised land. Joshua has sent out two scouts
and they have discreetly found shelter in the palm city of Jericho in the
house of a prostitute named Rahab. To the two Israelites, she gives a
resounding testimony about YaHUaH and how she views Him:
“I know that YaHUaH has given you the
land and that the fear for you has fallen upon us and that all the inhabitants
of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how YaHUaH dried up
the water of the Red Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt, and what
you did unto the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan, Sichon and ‘Og,
whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard that, our hearts melted and no one
had any courage left because of you, for YaHUaH, your God, is God in
heaven above and on earth below.
Now therefore, swear unto me by YaHUaH, that since I have dealt kindly
with you [she had hidden them from servants of the city
king who came to see her, told those an excuse, and thus saved their life], you will also deal kindly with my family, and give me a reliable sign that
you will let my father and mother, my brothers and sisters and all of them live
and deliver us from death.”
Joshua 2: 9-13
This testimony is very clear; it leaves no room for ambiguity. What she
and her people have heard about the actions of YaHUaH on behalf of His
people, makes her decide to side with Isra’el and rely fully on YaHUaH,
the God of Isra’el, and have faith that He and His earthly representatives
will show mercy on her and her family and let them live, just as she spared
them.
Everyone at that time in the very wide area – in fact, even throughout
the entire Middle East and beyond – had come to know and respect
YaHUaH, the God of Isra’el, by Name! And how! They shuddered when
they heard that glorious Name, and they spoke of Him with great awe!
Hallelu YaHUaH !
Notes
| 1 |
The names in the Bible have meaning. That is why I
transliterate them carefully so that they remain recognizable. Especially
the glorious Name of God I represent here as accurately as possible from the
oldest Hebrew original, instead of replacing this grand personal Name of The
Most High by a common word, such as ‘Lord’. For more background information
see:
André H. Roosma, ‘The
wonderful and lovely Name of the God Who was there, Who is there, and Who
will be there’  , extensive Accede! / Hallelu-YaH! study, July 2009. |
|
