God’s Real Name
In the original Hebrew, God’s real name transliterates to YHWH. This is known as the tetragrammaton (meaning “four letters”). Due to the lack of vowels, no one knows how the tetragrammaton YHWH was pronounced. And because of a fear of accidentally taking God’s name in vain (Leviticus 24:16), the Jews quit saying it out loud. The most likely word for how the tetragrammaton was pronounced is “YAH-way,” “YAH-weh,” or something similar.
Does Knowing God’s Name Save Anyone?
Salvation is not in merely knowing what God’s holy name is. To “know” the name of God means more than the literal word but an actual living submission to the Creator. When Adam “knew” Eve, that meant, he was tied to her in the bonds of marriage with all what that entails of duties, responsibilities and commitment.
The devils know the name of God (James 2:19) and they believe in His existence (Mark 3:11; 5:7). And they even shudder at the thought of their punishment in judgment (Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4). Their belief may be intellectually right, but they remain demons nevertheless because they don’t surrender to Him.
Relationship with God – The Essence of Faith
The Jews who claimed to know the true name of God kept the letter of the word but did not apply the spirit of the Word. Jesus showed them that to keep the commandments meant more than what they were doing. The third commandment which states: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7), also condemns empty ceremony and formality in worship (1 Timothy 3:5) and exalts worship in the true spirit of holiness (John 4:24). It shows that obedience to the letter of the law is not sufficient.
No one ever reverenced the name of God more strictly than the Pharisees and the religious leaders of Israel, who to this day will not utter it. But their extreme devotion and zeal did not prevent them from the tragic crime of crucifying God’s Son about 2,000 years ago. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
