Hi Everyone,

In thinking about the name of God to look into today, I felt myself wondering how many we’ve covered thus far. We’ve looked at eleven:

Elohim, El Shaddai, Adonai,

YHWH,

Jehovah- Jireh, Rophe, Nissi, M’Kaddesh, Shalom, Tsidkenu, Rohi

And so I think it is fitting we conclude at twelve. Twelve is a frequent number used in scripture, so I will make today the last study on the Names of God.

I hope over these past few months you have begun to see how awesome the Lord God Almighty is. If you ever need to be reminded, just read your Bible and consider going to the ASYGR online website to see the archives there.

With this last study, I wish to remind whoever reads this email that knowing what we know about God… we are responsible for that understanding. God is a God of love and kindness and peace and compassion, etc… But let us not ever forget this next (and last) one…

Back in Genesis, Abraham is talking with the Lord about the coming destruction of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah. Just recall the word “Sodomy” to have insight about these wicked and vile cities.

Genesis 18:25

Far be it from You to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?

JUDGE = SHAPHAT

Here, God is JUDGE. He is SHAPHAT. And Sodom and Gomorrah were on trial. They had degenerated into all manner of wickedness. And such un-holiness and ungodliness cannot be left to remain unchecked indefinitely. Wickedness always angers Holy God.

And there comes a time when God’s tender compassion and patience runs out. If a person, people, city, nation, etc. willfully and continually reject God, disobey God, blaspheme God, then His anger can be kindled and His fire of wrath comes forth in Judgment.

Noah saw God as Shaphat while the flood water rose higher and higher and all those people who mocked Noah now begged desperately to be saved from drowning. Abraham saw God as Shaphat as the fire and brimstone annihilated two wicked cities. Moses saw God as Shaphat as he saw the Jews dropping dead in the wilderness on the account of their disrespectful grumbling. King David (a man after God’s own heart) saw God as Shaphat when his Kingdom was doomed to fall on account of his lustful adultery and murder over Bathsheba.

And did you know even Jesus Christ Himself experienced God the Father as Shaphat as He was nailed to the cross, during total and complete darkness over the land, on the account of the sins of His elect for which He was paying for with His life?!

I myself have spiritually experienced God as Shaphat as my formally blind eyes were divinely opened to see my utterly hopeless and wicked and sinful state before Him one December day. Tis a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God! But I’m so thankful I did!

Just so you know, another form of God’s judgment is abandonment. If people have heard and understood the gospel, but they never truly believed in (i.e. rejected) Christ, they are in danger of never coming to belief. Oh God is patient and compassionate and full of mercy, but if a person never desires righteousness, then God won’t force them; He’ll just let them have what they want. He’ll “give them over” to it (see Romans 1:28).

So.. If you never have seen God as Shaphat, you will one day… if not during your lifetime, then after your lifetime…

Matthew 12:36-37

I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

1. What do you think your verdict would be?
2. When is the best time to appeal to the Judge?
3. Is there such a thing as confidence before the Judge?

Peace,
Jim

p.s. I’m thinking next about soliciting questions from anyone about anything concerning Christianity, the Bible, Salvation, Judgment, etc. etc. etc.  

If you have ever had a nagging issue or unresolved question in your mind and are seeking answers, just ask them and we’ll look to scripture for the answer!

Take care!