Today's Reading:

Isaiah 9
Isaiah 10
Isaiah 11
Isaiah 12

There are many names for God, starting with Yahweh. In Isaiah 9:6-7 it is an iconic Messianic prophecy. God’s character is described in detail so we can know Him personally and intimately. In verse 9:6, Scripture gave four names for the coming Messiah: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. There are hundreds of names, titles and descriptions for God throughout the Bible. Some counts go over 900 in the Bible if you count every descriptive phrase. The major categories are primary names.

When you pray to God, do you think about what name you use? How about when you end your prayer? Who exactly are you talking to? What name do you use the most? Do any names carry special meaning or feeling for you? What about different seasons of the year, do you tend to use one name in reference to Christmas and another at Easter time?

Here is a list of God’s names and titles as referenced in the Old and New Testaments.

70 Names of God (with meanings and key references):

• Elohim – God / Creator (Genesis 1:1)
• Yahweh / Jehovah – The LORD (Exodus 3:14)
• El Shaddai – God Almighty (Genesis 17:1)
• El Elyon – Most High God (Genesis 14:18)
• Adonai – Lord / Master (Genesis 15:2)
• Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14)
• Jehovah Rapha – The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26)
• Jehovah Nissi – The Lord My Banner (Exodus 17:15)
• Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace (Judges 6:24)
• Jehovah Raah / Rohi – The Lord My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
• Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Jehovah Shammah – The Lord Is There (Ezekiel 48:35)
• Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts (1 Samuel 1:3)
• El Olam – The Everlasting God (Genesis 21:33)
• El Roi – The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13)
• Abba – Father (Romans 8:15)
• Immanuel – God With Us (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)
• Alpha and Omega – The Beginning and the End (Revelation 1:8)
• Ancient of Days – (Daniel 7:9)
• King of Kings – (Revelation 19:16)
• Lord of Lords – (Revelation 19:16)
• Wonderful Counselor – (Isaiah 9:6)
• Mighty God – (Isaiah 9:6)
• Everlasting Father – (Isaiah 9:6)
• Prince of Peace – (Isaiah 9:6)
• Redeemer – (Job 19:25)
• Savior – (Isaiah 43:11)
• Holy One of Israel – (Isaiah 1:4)
• Rock – (Psalm 18:2)
• Fortress – (Psalm 18:2)
• Deliverer – (Psalm 18:2)
• Shield – (Psalm 18:2)
• Strong Tower – (Proverbs 18:10)
• Refuge – (Psalm 46:1)
• Comforter – (John 14:16)
• Advocate – (1 John 2:1)
• Light of the World – (John 8:12)
• Bread of Life – (John 6:35)
• Living Water – (John 4:10)
• Good Shepherd – (John 10:11)
• Resurrection and the Life – (John 11:25)
• Way, Truth, and Life – (John 14:6)
• I Am – (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58)
• Faithful and True – (Revelation 19:11)
• Lamb of God – (John 1:29)
• Lion of Judah – (Revelation 5:5)
• Root of David – (Revelation 5:5)
• Bright Morning Star – (Revelation 22:16)
• Creator – (Isaiah 40:28)
• Judge – (Genesis 18:25)
• Merciful – (Deuteronomy 4:31)
• Gracious – (Exodus 34:6)
• Compassionate – (Psalm 103:8)
• Slow to Anger – (Psalm 103:8)
• Abounding in Love – (Psalm 103:8)
• Forgiving – (Psalm 103:3)
• Healer – (Exodus 15:26)
• Provider – (Genesis 22:14)
• Protector – (Psalm 91:1-2)
• Sanctifier – (Leviticus 20:8)
• Banner – (Exodus 17:15)
• Victory – (Exodus 14:13-14)
• Peace – (Judges 6:24)
• Wisdom – (Proverbs 8)
• Righteous – (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Eternal – (Deuteronomy 33:27)
• Sovereign – (Psalm 103:19)
• Glorious – (Psalm 29:3)
• Majestic – (Psalm 8:1)
• Holy – (Isaiah 6:3)

Today’s reading continued with the rejection of the mediums; anyone who rejected God would be punished. The northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali were the first to be invaded by Assyria. These areas were near Galilee and Capernaum, and they were the hardest hit. This foreshadows where Jesus would minister there later. Light dawns where gloom was the thickest (Matthew 4:16). Where Jesus redeemed the hurt first. There will be joy, like a military victory, when soldiers’ boots are no longer needed, and so they are burned for kindling.

God sent a message to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Jacob/Ephraim/and Samaria) that this was their last warning. Society, from the top leaders down to the bottom false prophets, would all be cut off. Wickedness is a wildfire; it starts small and consumes everything. The fire of judgment is God’s wrath, and the fuel is people’s own wickedness. Society collapsed by self-destruction. The message was meant to shock them into repentance.

Chapter 10 was similar to Amos: “Woe to those who make unjust laws.” God used the Assyrians like a club to judge Israel (N). Due to their own boasting and collecting of kingdoms, He does not give them a free pass. Babylon will be sent as a club to then beat Assyria. God used Assyria as a tool, but put a clear line not to cross; He was protecting Jerusalem. Only a remnant of Israel will remain. Those against God will be completely destroyed. The remnant will no longer rely on other leaders, only God. The faithful remnant survives; Paul quotes this in Romans 9:27: when God is done punishing the Israelites, His wrath would focus on Assyria. God will bless Israel, and their yoke will be removed, and Sennacherib's “lofty trees” will fall. Babylon will be the mighty downfall of Assyria. Scripture gave a list of cities, like a military itinerary, on the way to Jerusalem, to build fear.

The coming Messianic king will be a descendant of Jesse, David’s father. The Messiah will be empowered by the Spirit of the Lord. The Spirit will rest on him. This was not 7 different Spirits, but it embodied one Holy Spirit. The 7 attributes of the Spirit are complete perfection:

• Spirit of wisdom, Spirit of understanding, Spirit of Counsel, Spirit of Insight, Spirit of knowledge, Spirit of fear of the Lord,

The Messiah will come for all nations to reclaim the remnant (the first time was Exodus). Paradise will be restored, and creation healed. This was a second exodus of the gathering of God’s people (Isaiah 11:10). Again, Paul quoted this in Romans 15:12 to explain why he and the disciples preached the gospel to the Gentiles. The countries listed covered the compass directions: Assyria (North), Egypt/Cush (South), Elam and Babylon (East), and Hamath (West).

Isaiah wrote a song of praise. It was a thanksgiving hymn that echoed Exodus 15 and the Red Sea deliverance, where God judges but still preserves a remnant. He sends the Ultimate King. This was to encourage Judah and point to Christ.

Today's Discussion question:

When you pray to God, do you think about what name you use? How about when you end your prayer? Who exactly are you talking to? What name do you use the most? Do any names carry special meaning or feeling for you? What about different seasons of the year, do you tend to use one name in reference to Christmas and another at Easter time?

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