Lesson 7What is Christ Like? |
The name that we will study today is Jehovah-M’Kaddesh (Je-ho′- vah M’- Kad′ - desh), which means the “unchangeable who sanctifies,” “the self-existent who sanctifies.” This name represents a new level in the relationship God has with Israel. In order to see the power of this name we must take it apart and see the circumstances that prevailed when it was given to Israel – God’s people. In case you have forgotten this means you, if you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord.
We have studied the meaning of the first name, Jehovah. Have you thought about the order in which God has revealed Himself through His names? As I think about this order, I am forced to look at my own spiritual life with God. As I am growing in my relationship with God, the more He can reveal Himself to me. We have the Old Testament, its events, and its people given to us for examples (I Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4).
I Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.However, if we do not understand the what, the why and the how of things being told to us, how can we grow in our relationship with God?
So, at what level are you in your relationship with God? By what name has He revealed Himself to you and allowed you to address Him? Please take some time now and answer these questions.
As we examine the second part of this name, M’Kaddesh, please allow God to talk to you about your relationship with Him. The term holy or holiness is from the Hebrew word “kodesh” and relates to “sanctify.” It is also translated by other English words such as, dedicate, consecrate, hallow and holy. This word in its various forms is found 700 times in the Old Testament. As it is found in Jehovah M’Kaddesh, it expresses the divine character of Jehovah and His design for His people more that any other name. Through this name we can know Him as Jehovah Who Sanctifies.
"But while sanctify is one with hallow (when we meet with the one word we automatically think of the other), yet there is a distinction to be preserved. When sanctify is used with reference to God, it cannot mean to “make holy” as it does in reference to man. For God is absolutely and forever holy. It can only mean “to think of, or to treat as holy.” When the term is applied to the Sabbath, God’s name, or to anything that is essentially and inherently holy, it implies to hallow or to recognize its true character, or to treat it as God would have it treated."
Herbert Lockyer,D.D.. All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. 1975, pages 32-33
In Exodus 31:12-17, we see God tell His people more about Himself. What is He telling His people about Himself? What is He telling them about themselves? How is He expecting them to act?
In Leviticus 20:6-8, we are called to obey, and in Leviticus 22:31-33, we are called to remember. In all of these things in which the LORD God sanctifies us, He has called us to do something. God wants us to be holy by our own free will and not because He made us. When He is calling us to remember, He wants us to remember where we come from. In other words, we are redeemed and He has started making our lives the way He wants them to be, so that He can reach other people through us.
Jesus came to this earth to redeem us from sin and reconcile us back to a holy relationship with the Father (Luke 21:25-28). I Corinthians 1:30 reminds us that only Jesus Christ “…who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption…” We are called of Christ and we are reminded in 1 Peter 1:15-16, that a life lived in Christ is one of obedience to God and holiness.
1 Peter 1:15-16
15.But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Jesus as the Son of God is holy and sanctified. He calls us to be holy and we are sanctified by Him.
|