LORD OR JEHOVAH.

THE second name of God revealed in Holy Scripture, the name "Jehovah," which we translate "LORD," shews us qualities in God, which, though they are contained, can hardly be said to be expressed, in the first name, "Elohim." For the name 66 Elohim," as we have seen, in its very import and by its plural form, spoke of One whose very Being involved a

1 I may perhaps say here, for those who do not read Hebrew, that, in our Authorised Version, wherever we find the name "GOD" or "LORD" printed in capitals, the original is "Jehovah,” (as in Gen. ii. 4, 5, 7, 8, &c. ; vi. 5, 6 ; xv. 2; xviii. 1, 13, 19, 22, 26; Ezek. ii. 4; iii. 11, 27; Obad. i. 1.) Wherever we find "God," (as in Gen. i. throughout, and in countless other passages,) it is "Elohim." Where we find "Lord," (as in Gen. xv. 2; xviii. 3, 27, 30, 31, 32; and constantly in the prophecies of Ezekiel,) it is "Adonai." Thus "LORD God" (in Gen. ii. 4, 5, 7, 8, and elsewhere,) is "Jehovah Elohim ; " while "Lord GOD" (in Gen. xv. 2, and Ezek. ii. 4, and elsewhere,) is "Adonai Jehovah." I may add that wherever the name " Jehovah" stands alone, (as in Gen. iv. 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, &c.) or is joined with "Elohim," (as in Gen. ii. 4, 5, 6, &c.,) it is always written in Hebrew with the vowel points of "Adonai:" where "Adonai" is joined to "Jehovah," (as in Gen. xv. 2; Ezek. ii. 4, &c.) " Jehovah " is written with the vowel points of "Elohim." For the Jews scrupulously avoided pronouncing the name "Jehovah," always reading "Adonai" for Jehovah," except where "Adonai " is joined to "Jehovah," (as in Gen. xv. 2, and like passages,) in which case they read "Adonai Elohim,"

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covenant-relationship, which never could be broken. "Jehovah " on the other hand, as we shall see, shews One, who, being Love, is righteous also, and must therefore judge evil, wherever it exists, and at whatever cost, whether to the creature or to the Creator. Of course God is the same God, whether seen as "Jehovah" or "Elohim;" but "Elohim" gives us only one view, blessed as that is, of God our Saviour. We must know Him as Jehovah " also, if we would know ourselves, or what it costs the blessed God to make us "partakers of His holiness." 1

Let me try to shew more exactly what the difference between these two names is, and how the One unchanging God, who in Himself is perfect Love, may, as we apprehend Him, appear in very different aspects or characters, either as Love or Truth, as "Elohim" or "Jehovah." St. John tells us, "God is love." This is what He absolutely is. But in the expression of love we may see that love is righteous also. As to His Being, God is Love, and "Elohim" declares this. "Jehovah" reveals Him as the Truth; and Truth is not so much the Being of God as the Expression of His Being. And as apprehended by us these appear different, though in themselves they are and must be one. Some may

not yet see this. But all I think will see how Love must shew itself in truth and righteousness. Thus the selfsame Love in its Being and in its Expression may seem different. If we think of its Being, we

1 Heb. xii. 10.

2 1 John iv. 8, 16.

one.

shall see a will which cannot change, because it springs from and rests on being and relationship. If we think of its Expression, we shall see how variously it acts, and changes, or seems to change, in virtue of certain qualities or conduct in the loved A father's and still more a mother's unchanging love illustrates the first, a love which cannot change, spite of faults and failings in the loved one. This is love in its Being. But the Expression of this love varies in virtue of certain qualities in the beloved. If therefore a child rebels, or a friend deceives, or if a wife becomes unfaithful, there will be a breach of love. You must, much as it may pain you, part from them, and judge the evil; for if you do not, you countenance their evil doings.

Now Holy Scripture presents us with both these views of God. We have first the view of "Elohim," who, in virtue of His Being, in the might of love in virtue of relationship, cares for and works on His fallen creature, lost and fallen as it is, because it is His creature, and He is Love, and therefore He can never leave it nor forsake it. This is the view of God so fully shewn us in the first chapter of the Bible, and recognised and illustrated wherever we read of "Elohim" and His doings. But there is the second view, as to the Expression of love, namely, love in its relation to certain qualities in the loved one; and this it is which the name "Jehovah " wondrously reveals everywhere; shewing that God, who is perfect love, is and must be a "God of

truth," and that in all truest love there must be righteousness. And with creatures such as we are the result is plain. If in God there is perfect love, such love in its expression must regard conduct and quality; in other words, if there is in His love an element of righteousness, there may arise a breach between "Jehovah" and His creature; and if the creature sin, there must be a breach and separation.

Here then we meet with the first, and perhaps the greatest, of those apparent antagonisms in God, of which, not Scripture only, but Nature also, is so full everywhere. God surely is love; but if He loves only in virtue of quality, how can He love, what can He have to say to, sinners? Must He not hate us for our evil? On the other hand, if He only loves in virtue of relationship, what becomes of His righteousness, which must abhor and judge evil? It seems a hard riddle. But without this apparent antagonism we could not know God. For to creatures in our present state, who only see things as they appear, the full truth, or things as they are, can only be taught by the union of apparent opposites. The view we first need of God is to see Him as "Elohim." With this name therefore God

begins the revelation. But fully to know God, something more than this is needed. So long as only this view of Him is seen, there can be no proper knowledge either of righteousness or sin. For in "Elohim" what we chiefly see is One whose love 1 Isa. lxv. 16.

works with and overcomes all, and whose will prevails, whatever the hindrances. More than this is needed: even the knowledge of righteousness and sin, and how our sin, which is the opposite of righteousness and love, wounds, not the creature only, but "Jehovah." All this comes out in the knowledge of the second name of God, which Holy Scripture reveals "to make the man of God perfect." 1

This name "Jehovah," which thus supplements the primal name "Elohim," is first brought before us in the second and third chapters of the book of Genesis. In these chapters God is always "LORD God," in the Hebrew," Jehovah Elohim," except where the serpent twice speaks of "God" to Eve,2 and where the woman parleys with the serpent.3 In both these cases, Eve and the serpent omit the name "Jehovah," and only speak of "God," as if they would shut their eyes to all except His covenant relationship :-"Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" and "God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, nor touch it, lest ye die." All this is significant, as throwing light on the temptation. We are however now looking rather at the import of the name "Jehovah." And this name, like "Elohim," carries within itself its own meaning. It is formed of two tenses of the Hebrew verb, (Havah,) “to be,” and means, One who is what He is," thus containing the substance of the well-known words to Moses,

2 Gen. iii. 1, 5.

1 2 Tim. iii. 17. 3 Gen. iii. 3. • See Parkhurst's and Gesenius' Lexicons, under the word.