Florida Bible Institute
Level Two
Lesson Eleven
Page 1 of 5 Pages
The Doctrine of God - (His Names - Part I
Scripture Reading:
Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1
Lesson Objective: To better identify with God
through a better understanding of His characteristics as revealed in His
names, as He revealed Himself to His people.
Introduction: God revealed Himself to His people
in the Old Testament through a variety of names identified with that which
He did, or commanded. Each of
the names by which He revealed Himself to His people described or reflected
another attribute or characteristic of His nature.
In this way, His people learned how to better identify with Him.
The saints of the Old Testament used the names by which
God revealed Himself to them, not only to express their needs, and, also to
express their recognition and appreciation of His interaction and
involvement with them.
All of these names by which God made Himself known more
fully to His people in the Old Testament are revealed in the Son, the
Messiah, Jesus, The Christ.
You, just like the people of God in the Old Testament,
have needs. When you more fully
understand these Old Testament names of God, and what they meant to His
people, your prayer life will become more meaningful.
Your study of the Bible will become more meaningful as you better
understand the God who created you, your Heavenly Father, and who has called
you into fellowship with Himself.
In this lesson, you will study six of the twelve Old
Testament names of God. It is
strongly suggested that you study at least one per day for the
next six days.
I.
The First Revelation of God.
The first revelation of God in Scripture is found in
Genesis 1:1. In the beginning,
God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth.
1.
In Hebrew, the name Elohim is uni-plural, meaning Gods.
Knowing that God exists in three persons as the Triune God, Elohim
speaks of Him as:
(1)
(2)
(3)
2.
Elohim is always identified with power and mighty acts, such as
creation. Elohim identifies God
as the Strong Mighty One, the Highest Being to be feared and revered.
(1) In
Genesis 1 and 2, God is actively involved in:
3.
Describe how you identify with God in His characteristics as Elohim.
(See Psalms 139:14 - 17)
4.
How does your answer in 3 above relate to John 1:1?
5.
Read Psalms 8. Verse 5 speaking of Gods creation of man, reads in
part: ...for Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels....
In the Hebrew it reads, ...for thou hast made him a little lower than
Elohim... In light of what you
know about the Revelation of God in His name Elohim, how do you feel
about that as it speaks to you, yourself and mankind in general.
II.
The Second Revelation of God.
The second revelation of God in Scripture is found in
Genesis 2:4 - 25. Verse 4
states
A...that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.
The Hebrew reading for the LORD God as used in Genesis
2:4 is JEHOVAH - ELOHIM.
Jehovah means Father. Numbers
16:22 reveals Jehovah to be The Father of Spirits.
1.
Given what you know about God as Elohim, (Creator) and Jehovah,
(Father of spirits), describe in your own words how those truths relate to
you and to your needs as you pray.
III.
The Third Revelation of God.
The third revelation of God in Scripture is found in
Genesis 17:1 The Hebrew name for Almighty God used here is El-Shaddai.
It means, Strong Nourisher, or God-as-the-Covenant-making-God, who
possess the power to fulfill His promises regardless of external, natural or
physical circumstances.
1.
Read Genesis 17 and record the promises made by God to Abram.
3.
How does God as El-Shaddai relate to your situation today?
IV.
The Fourth Revelation of God.
The fourth revelation of God found in Scripture is
found in Genesis 18:3. The Hebrew name for My Lord is Adonai and means My
Lord.
1.
Jehovah appeared to Abraham as Adonai after Abrahams name was changed
from Abram to Abraham. What do
you think is significant about that?
(Relate the name Abram to The Old Man and the name Abraham to The New
Man.
2.
Read Genesis 18 and list the ways in which Abraham recognized Jehovah
as his Lord.
V.
The Fifth Revelation of God.
The fifth revelation of God in Scripture is found in
Genesis 22:14. There He is revealed as Jehovah- Jireh meaning
(1)
Jehovah (Father) sees.
(2)
Jehovah (Father) will be seen in His provision of that which I need
in order to do that which He directs me to do.
(3)
Jehovah (Father) will provide.
1.
Read Genesis 22:1 - 18.
(1)
Abraham had a need that he himself did not recognize, but,
Jehovah did. In your opinion,
what need did Abraham have in order to obey Jehovah, that he
had not yet recognized in himself?
(2)
In what way was Jehovah seen in Abrahams trial of faith?
(3)
In what way did Jehovah provide Abrahams need?
VI.
The Sixth Revelation of God
The sixth revelation of God in Scripture is found in
Exodus 15:26. Here God reveals Himself as
AJehovah-Rophe, wherein He states,...I am the LORD that
healeth thee.
1.
Read Exodus 15:22 - 27 and Psalms 105.
(1)
From your reading of Psalms 105, what was the physical condition of
the People of God when they left Egypt?
(2)
In your own words, paraphrase Exodus 15:26.
2.
From your reading of Exodus 15:26, who do you find would punish the
Egyptians with disease and death?
3.
From your reading of Exodus 15:26 who do you find would punish
disobedience among His own people with sickness and disease?
5.
Paraphrase in your own words, Psalms 103:3 as it relates to Isaiah
53:3 - 5.
Conclusion: Each
of us, as Believers, should acquaint ourselves with these names by which our
Heavenly Father revealed Himself to Israel of old, so that we can, in our
day rest in faith, peace and confidence in our Heavenly Fathers protection
and provision.