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THE COVENANT NAME

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · Nov 14, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 44.

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THE COVENANT NAME.

IF the only excellence of the American Standard Revised Version was the simple one of leaving untranslated the Name of the God of the Bible, that alone should endear it to the heart of the Bible lover.
The apostle truly says that while "there are gods many and lords many, yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things." The very word "Baal" means lord, master. The true God did not thus reveal Himself to men.
One of the names He has used is El Shaddai, the Almighty God, the Omnipotent One, who is able to fulfil all He has promised. Thus He came to Abraham and Jacob. With them He made His covenants.
But the great name of the true God is Jehovah. It is His covenant name. It includes His self-existence, His almighty power, His everlasting love. It is His note in blank to His people that they may fill out with all His precious covenant-promises, according to their need and His fulness.
Just take some of these striking passages in the American Standard Revised Version and compare them with the Common Version. Moses did not say to Pharaoh, "Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Let My people go;" nor did Pharaoh answer, "I know not the Lord." Moses came to the spiritually-darkened king with a message from a God he knew not: "Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Let My people go." And Pharaoh truly replied, "I know not Jehovah." Ex. 5:1, 2.
Moses did not say, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." He did say: "Hear, O Israel, Jehovah is our God, Jehovah is one." Deut. 6:4, margin. The covenant God is not many but one.
Our God did not say to Moses when He proclaimed His name, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious;" but He did say: "Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth," etc. Ex. 34:6, 7. There were many gods among the nations; Jehovah was the one God, unique in every excellence.
Elijah did not say, "If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." It was not a mere decision between two lords; but if Jehovah be God, follow Him; but if Baal [be God], then follow him." 1 Kings 18:21.
Speak it reverently, but with ever-growing assurance: "I will trust, and not be afraid: for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation." Isa. 12:2.
Take home to your poor heart God’s note in blank, signed, "JEHOVAH." Are you a sinner?—There is forgiveness. Are you weak?—He is strong for you. Are you in darkness?—He is thy light. And thus with every need.
Read the Word; read it constantly with His covenant name, and rejoice that Jehovah is your God forever and ever.