The Names of God - Psalm 23

THE NAMES OF GOD

The Seven Compound Names of Jehovah

Jehovah-Jireh

Jehovah-Rapha

Jehovah-Shalom

Jehovah-Tsidkenu

Jehovah-Shammah

Jehovah-Nissi

Jehovah-Raah

I want to introduce the seven compound names of Jehovah to you in a very special way, through Psalm 23.  David composed this Psalm toward the end of his life as he was surely reflecting back on his own life as a shepherd and embracing the LORD GOD JEHOVAH as his Shepherd.

In the next 7 sessions we will take an in-depth look into each of these compound Names of Jehovah but for today let us travel back with David as he remembers and fondly looks to his Shepherd, for this Psalm is one of the most intimate relationship analogies between Creator and creature - The Shepherd to His sheep.


The LORD (Jehovah) is my Shepherd,
I shall not be in want  (Jehovah-Jireh, "the LORD will provide")
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, (Jehovah-Shalom, "the LORD is peace")
he restores my soul. (Jehovah-Rapha, "the LORD who heals")
He guides me in paths of righteousness (Jehovah-Tsidqenu, "the LORD is my righteousness")
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, 'for you are with me;' (Jehovah-Shammah,"the LORD is there")
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies. (Jehovah-nissi, "the LORD is my banner")
You anoint my head with oil;  (Jehovah-M'Qadash, "the LORD who makes you holy")
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD (Jehovah) forever.


To fully appreciate how beautiful this Psalm truly is we need to take moment to search out exactly what an Eastern Shepherd looks like, how he takes care of his sheep, what the relationship truly is between the shepherd and his sheep.

 These shepherds love and protect their sheep.  They will know each of their sheep by name, and when the sheep hears the shepherd's voice they will respond immediately to him and him alone.  There are times when several shepherds pen their sheep together at night; and yet in the morning as each shepherd turns in different directions and call their sheep, they all separate from the masses and follow after their own shepherd. It is truly and awesome sight to behold.

The shepherds have to be constantly alert to wandering sheep.  They immediately take action when one of their sheep goes astray.  The shepherd's use their rod at times to throw at the errant and rebellious sheep in order to get their attention and keep them from danger.  At other times the shepherd would use his staff.  A staff is 6 ft long walking stick with a curved end.  The shepherd uses the curved end of the staff to gently guide a straying sheep back into the herd.  Therefore the rod and the staff work together to keep the sheep with the shepherd and therefore protecting them from harm.  Sometimes for particularly ornery sheep the shepherd may resort to breaking one of the sheep's legs and as he carries the sheep on his shoulders, the sheep will learn the shepherd's voice, and know the shepherd's heartbeat and rest on his shoulders.  The shepherd takes stringent measures to make sure his sheep do not fall off a mountain-side or get caught in thorny briars. They are his sheep and he cares for them.

Shepherd's of the East go to extreme measures to provide water, food, and shelter for their weary sheep. This could include walking miles in search of a spring of bubbling fresh cold water.   Sometimes that would mean that a shepherd would walk endlessly back and forth to a water source with a two-handled bucket, filling troughs for thirsting sheep.  They would allow their sheep to rest on tables of grassy lands and beautiful plains, patches of comfort found in a dry, and dusty land.

The shepherd always leads and the sheep always follow.  At the end of the day the shepherd leads the sheep into a fold, a fenced in area built of clay and rock with thistles on top for added protection.  As the sheep pass by the shepherd he would gently and meticulously examine each one for scrapes, sores, and dried horns; he then would take a healing salve and apply it to their wounds or bind their open sores.  None of his sheep are ever over-looked, he will take precious time with each one and then when the last sheep enters the fold, the shepherd actually sleeps at the entrance of the fold to protect his sheep from wicked men and wild animals.  Nothing could touch the sheep without first touching the shepherd.

As made famous by King David (who had been a shepherd as a young boy), these Eastern shepherds are master's at sling-shot weaponry.  The sing, made of goat's hair or leather could fire a stone far enough and fast enough to take down a large animal with just one shot.  They are fierce protective of their sheep.

The sheep, which are somewhat meek and mild animals tend to startle easily, especially since they do not have great eye-sight.  Thus the sheep find great pleasure and reassurance in the presence of their shepherd.

What a beautiful picture David painted of Jehovah, our Shepherd.  As it says in John 10:27, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."  I am in need of my Shepard, I need him to gently guide me back onto the path and out of danger, I thirst for Him and he fills my cup to overflowing. I find unexplainable peace in His presence and I wait patiently for His anointing of my soul and spirit.  The LORD is my righteousness and he is always near, just a whisper and the LORD tends my needs.  As Isaiah speaks in chapter 40 verse 11, "He will feed his flock like a shepherd.  He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.  he will gently lead the mother sheep with their young." 


My heart stirs with David's heart.  I feel that he must have known how many times he had strayed from The Perfect Love of The Shepard and how many times Jehovah forgave him and brought his wandering and rebellious lamb back into the fold with open arms and a loving heart. Then Jehovah, the Shepard would hold his broken and bleeding lamb close,  applying the healing salve of love and forgiveness to his wounds, peace to his weary soul, and protection from all that mean him harm.

Do you know the Good Shepard?  Will you recognize His voice when He calls?  You see, The Good Shepard died as a sheep to the slaughter for your sins, so that you could restore your relationship with God, Jehovah, Someday the Good Shepherd will return as the Chief Shepard to gather his sheep into the fold.  As He gathers his sheep from all the earth he will separate them from the goats (the ones that do not know the Shepard).  Until Jesus, the Chief Shepherd returns, there is time to yield your life to Him, for He is constantly searching for the lost sheep.  In Matthew 18: 12 - 14, Jesus says, "What do you think?  If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hill and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it I tell you the truth he is happier about the one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."  He wants to lead you into His fold, will you heed is calling today?


And for those of us who are His sheep, we can rest in the peace of His presence and perfect love.  We can look to the sky in anticipation and excitement for He is coming soon for his sheep, his bride.  "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.'  Then the angel said to me, ' Write:  'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'"  (Rev. 19: 6-9)


As we bring this session to a close, I just want you to know that I look so forward to studying the seven compound names of Jehovah (Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah-Rapha, Jehovah-Tsidqneu, Jehovah-Shammah, Jehovah-nissi, and Jehovah-M'Qadash), their meaning, where they can be found in scripture and what they mean to you as a child of The Great I AM - Jehovah.

POST SCRIPT: INTERESTING FACTS


1.  Do you know who other Bible Heroes were also Shepherds and shepherdess?
        **Other than King David, Abraham, the Twelve Tribes, the prophet Moses, and even the prophet Amos who was a shepherd around the rugged terrain of Tekoa.  Most surprising though, for me, was that Rachel was a shepherdess.  Rachel who became the wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, worked as a Shepherdess in Haran where she lived.

2.  God's Word never ceases to amaze me.  Is it any wonder that there are '7' compound names of Jehovah in David's 23rd Psalm, for the number '7' in the Bible represents God's (Jehovah's) perfect number.  It has the meaning of being 'perfect' and 'complete.'

Dear Heavenly Father, the Great I AM, Jehovah -  we come before you proclaiming the majesty of your name.  God we praise you for your Holiness, your love, your perfection, your care beyond measure to each and everyone of your sheep for we are exceedingly blessed by You.  We pray for your continued protection, your guidance and your comfort.  Thank you for all that you are and all that you do.  Lead us in the paths of righteousness for your Name's sake.  In Jesus Name we pray, Amen and Amen. 

SOURCES:

1.  NELSON'S NEW ILLUSTRATED BIBLE DICTIONARY

2.  LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE (NIV)

3. THE TRANSFORMATIONAL STUDY BIBLE (NLT)

4. NATHAN STONE: 'NAMES OF GOD'

5. DAVID WILKERSON: 'KNOWING GOD BY NAME'