Nehemiah 9:12-21, YAHWEH and the Manifold Name!

There are just a few more things to say about the name or names of God.  In Genesis 1-2 (if you are on our Christmas list you received a booklet recently on “The Names of God” that discussed what we want to speak of here) there is an important distinction in the two chapters.  In Ch. 1, where God creates the heavens and earth, God is “Elohim.”  In Ch. 2, where God creates Man and establishes a relationship with him, God is “YAHWEH Elohim,” the LORD God.  God’s desire has always been to have a relationship with Man, to dwell with him.  This will be fulfilled in eternity (Rev. 21:3).

Now look at Neh. 9:5-8.  Israel is called to a relationship with God.  Neh. 9-10 are all about confession of sin, which separates man from God.  So at the beginning of the confession the people are called to “Stand up and bless YAHWEH your Elohim forever and ever!”  Your God, Israel, is YAHWEH, the name given by God that emphasizes relationship.  But lest anyone wonder, there is only One YAHWEH and He is creator of all things.  And it is this great God who desires a relationship with us who called Abram out of Chaldea and established His covenant with him.  Again, these words are spoken by and for those whom God has brought back from Chaldea, back from exile, to be in relationship with Him: to be His people!

In Neh. 9:10, again as part of the confession that leads to establishment of the covenant that is agreed to in Neh. 10, the people speak of God saying, “So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day.”  They are talking about the Exodus, of course.  But this “name” was not just YAHWEH, the name by which Israel knew God.  Look at the last half of Neh. 9:17: even when Israel refused to obey God, God was known as “ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.”  That is what we like to call the “manifold name of God” and it comes from Exodus 34:6-7.  God revealed Himself by this name, to Moses, at the time of the “molded calf” spoken of in Neh. 9:18.  Aspects of this name are given also in Neh. 9:31: “You are God, gracious and merciful.” 

Why is this name, made famous in the days of the gold calves, brought up now?  Because these people, somewhat fresh from exile, are again living in disobedience.  They are calling on God and all they can do, the best they can do, is to call upon the God who was made famous in rebellious Israel in the days of the Exodus.

Do we know God like this?  What name of God does the Bible use in connection with the type of affliction or temptation you are currently experiencing?  These are such valuable encouragements to our faith!