Lesson 1 (part 3): JEHOVAH and the Holy Spirit

Our Sunday School class is currently studying the NAMES of the HOLY SPIRIT and we are sharing the lessons here on the blog. There is such great joy in studying the names of God/Jesus/Holy Spirit because in EVERY name/title/description of God in scripture we find a DUAL REVELATION. Every name reveals something about Who He is and it also reveals something He wants to do for us. Nothing brings us into more intimate relationship with God than coming to know, apply and experience the truth of Who He is and what He wants to do in our lives.

In this first lesson, we have established that the Holy Spirit is a Person. Scripture does not refer to Him as an "it" as though He were merely an "influence." He is a Person with personality attributes of intellect, emotion and will. He expresses His personality throughout scripture in a multiplicity of actions such as teaching, speaking, sending, comforting, etc.

We have discovered that the Person of the Holy Spirit is fully God and are in the midst of seeing how the Holy Spirit is associated with some of the Old Testament names of God such as Elohim, Jehovah, Shekinah, El Shaddai and El Elyon.

Today we are exploring how the Holy Spirit is linked with the name, JEHOVAH.

As you read your Bible you will see God referred to frequently as LORD. You'll note that sometimes the word is written in all caps and other times it is written in both upper and lower case, i.e. Lord. Any time you see the word LORD written in all capital letters, it means that it has been translated from the Hebrew word JEHOVAH which was originally Yahweh or YHWH.
These four Hebrew consonants were transliterated YHWH. Originally, the Hebrew word was written without vowels. Later the vowels from the word Adonai (Hebrew for "Lord") were inserted and the word became Yahweh - then, Yehovah - now, JEHOVAH. It is derived from the verb "to be" repeated twice. When God identified Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14, He said, "I AM THAT I AM." This name speaks of God's very essence or being. It implies both His self-existence and His eternity. In HIMSELF, He possesses essential life and permanent existence.

The name JEHOVAH is used more than 4,000 times in the Bible and usually in association with God's people. If Elohim is the primary name of God in scripture, JEHOVAH (LORD) might be called the personal name of God in scripture. It has frequently been called "the covenant name of God" because it is often used to identify Him in covenant relationships with man.

I loved this picture to illustrate the personal nature of Jehovah (God) for isn't that exactly how we come to know Him personally . . . His hand reaches forth to touch our lives in some way and He shows Himself strong on our behalf? I spent nearly five years of my life wandering in and out of a wilderness of depression until I found myself in the darkest pit I'd ever known and despairing of ever finding a way out. That precious hand of the LORD reached down into that pit and with His might lifted me out and set my feet on the solid rock of His Word and established my steps. (Psalm 40:2)

The Holy Spirit is linked in scripture with Jehovah.
In Judges 3:10 He is called the Spirit of the LORD.
In Psalm 29:3-3 He is called the voice of the LORD.
In Isaiah 40:7 He is called the breath of the LORD.

When identity names of the Holy Spirit, like these, are associated with Jehovah, it reminds us of the role the Holy Spirit has in our relationship with God. The very name implies His desire to relate closely to His people.

Oh my sweet sister, doesn't the fact that the Holy Spirit relates closely and personally with you just mean EVERYTHING! His constant participating presence in our lives gives continual direction and guidance in our lives. Jack Hayford wrote: "He permeates our daily reality with the new wine of renewal." I love that quote! I copied it into my prayer notebook many years ago and pray it (almost) daily. LORD, permeate my daily reality today with the new wine of renewal by Your Spirit!

In the Old Testament, it was the Spirit of the LORD who repeatedly came upon the judges as God used them to bring deliverance to His people from their enemies. See Judges 3:10, 6:34, 11:29, 13:25, 14:6, 14:19, 15:14. In my life, the Spirit of the LORD helped me gain deliverance over the enemy of depression.

How about you? Has the Holy Spirit ever assisted you in gaining deliverance over an enemy like He did the Old Testament judges? It doesn't have to be something as debilitating as depression to bring defeat in your life, you know. It can be a habit . . . or some persistent sin.

In my life, my tongue is an enemy I battle constantly. When my tongue joins forces with my impatience (another frequent enemy), it's a recipe for disaster. This is an area I have been concentrating on yielding to the Spirit's control lately and I have experienced Him supplying a soft answer many times when everything in "me" wanted to speak a snappy retort. Trust me, girls, that can ONLY be the Spirit of the LORD!

In the New Testament the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew, Jehovah, is the word kurios. It is not written in all caps but the meaning is the same. It still refers to the self-existent, eternal God who relates personally in covenant relationship with His children. The liberty that is ours as believers is linked to the Spirit of the Lord.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor. 3:17

We are free from the bondage of sin and condemnation and can live knowing that we are accepted, loved and forgiven. The power of the Spirit living in us means we no longer have to submit to any bondage. We are free in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice in these compound covenant names of Jehovah in the illustration below. He provided a lamb for Abraham's sacrifice and Abraham knew Him personally as Jehovah Jireh - the LORD our provider. He guided Hagar in the desert and she experienced Him personally as Jehovah Shammah - the LORD who is there. He met Gideon in the midst of great chaos and calamity and revealed Himself personally as Jehovah Shalom - the LORD is peace.

What are your needs today? Guidance? He is Jehovah Rohi - the LORD your shepherd. Healing? He is Jehovah Rapha - the LORD your healer. Purity - Holiness? He is Jehovah M'kaddesh - the LORD who is our sanctifier. Whatever your need, my friend, the Spirit of the LORD stands ready to meet you personally! Ask Him to permeate your reality today!