Advent Flow #2 - NAME OF GOD: Adonai

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"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:14-16, NIV

NAME OF GOD: Adonai

by Diane Anderson

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We're going to Southern Arizona for Christmas. My parents live there. We haven't been able to celebrate Christmas with them for over seven years. We have, however, spent many wonderful holidays with my husband's family, thankfully. That's what we most treasure about our Christmas traditions—celebrating our relationships with loved ones.

Christmas is seen as the season of relationships restored—families coming together in loving fellowship. There's a reason for this. Christmas started as a celebration of a birthday—a beginning of the culmination of God's plans to restore our relationship with Him. Jesus was born to become the sacrifice for—all sin, for—all mankind, for—ever.

God is ADONAI. What does this mean—this funky Hebrew word with lots of vowels? It's simplest form is "Sovereign Lord" (Genesis 15:2). However, as with all Scripture, it goes deeper.

This word was a substitute for the Hebrew name of God—Yahweh. "Sovereign Lord" was so holy and the Jews were so determined not to blaspheme God's name (3rd commandment), no one was allowed to say it or even write it all the way. They would only write it without the vowels. When the scripture was read aloud, the pronunciation "adhonay" was spoken. (These are the vowels of God's holy name with the sounds of the consonants YHWH scrambled up).

Still, that didn't really tell me what Adonai (and therefore Yahweh) MEANT! Being a word person, I had to look up the definitions for the English translations.

Sovereign means: supreme, ultimate, above all others; indisputable ruler who has all rank, power, and authority.

Lord means: leader with all authority, control, and great influence, owner

Wow! Adonai is THE ULTIMATE RULER OF ALL! Hallelujah! Hosanna!

The Experience God study has reminded me of my purpose—the reason God created us all. He created humankind for fellowship with Him. So, this all powerful, indisputable ruler who controls all of His creation, loves us enough to become human?

  • Do you get that?
  • Do you truly see this Holy, ULTIMATE RULER God becoming sin?
  • Can you even picture Pure Perfection becoming total degradation so we can be restored to relationship?

Our Love Letter from God opens with us being separated from a loving, close relationship, (Genesis) and ends with us living with Him, forever (Revelation). This happens because Jesus was born. He was and is the Adonai (Sovereign Lord) in all completeness, who introduces us to the Father and who gives us loving access to the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:14-16). The power to walk in that fellowship comes from the Holy Spirit—the part of Adonai that lives IN us.

Is your mind blown?

Is your heart humbled? relieved?

How do you respond to this?

Know that this season of relationships restored is all about our re-connection to fellowship with ADONAI. You can sit down and have coffee with the SUPREME RULER! You don't have to avoid speaking his name from fear—you can approach His throne of grace with confidence because…JESUS ADONAI.

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 10:9, NIV

FLOWFLOW StudyAdvent 2017