Page 67 - BV7
P. 67

As an important fact to remember, there is no letter "w" in the Hebrew language. The cor-
               rect pronunciation of the Hebrew letter "vav" is just as it appears -- the "v" sound in English. I
               suspect that the reason the Jewish people don't make an issue of the fact that scholars often spell
               the name of God "Yahweh" is that since it is a wrong pronunciation -- an incorrect name -- that
               they believe its common usage by many does not "profane" the name of God as the misuse of the
               correct name and pronunciation would. Therefore, many would just as soon leave the Gentile
               world in ignorance, rather than give them the correct name, lest they pervert, misuse, abuse, and
               desecrate the holy Name.


                       However, I believe it is important to understand this point of truth, and that it is not wrong
               for us to USE the name of God, today, in worship and adoration of the Divine Creator and Holy
               One of Israel. Names are important in God's eyes, and He put in man the desire to identify people
               and things by means of names. Would it be consistent for the Creator of all things to leave Himself
               nameless? I think not. However, we should not abuse this knowledge, or begin to take God's name
               for granted. Nor should we use it "in vain," or to no good use or purpose (Exodus 20:7).


                       A "name" expresses the character, qualities, and intrinsic nature of a person or individual.
               God's Names tell us just who and what He is, and define for us His very character and nature. It is,
               therefore, very important that we should know them, and use them. God's Name represents WHO
               AND WHAT HE IS -- not a magical "potion" to perform magical "tricks." Notes The Illustrated
               Bible Dictionary:

                       A study of the word 'name' in the O[ld] T[estament] reveals how much it means in Hebrew.
                       The name is no mere label, but is significant of the real personality of him to whom it be-
                       longs (Vol. 1, p.572).

                       Let us therefore worship the Most High God, YEHOVAH, as He Himself directs and com-
               mands. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John
               4:24).

                       "Praise YEHOVAH! Praise, O servants of YEHOVAH, praise the NAME of YEHOVAH!
                       Blessed be the NAME of YEHOVAH from this time forth and forevermore! From the ris-
                       ing of the sun to its going down YEHOVAH's name is to be praised" (Psalm 113:1-3)).


                       "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for YAH, the Lord, is my
                       strength and my song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw
                       water from the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: Praise YEHOVAH, call
                       upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is ex-
                       alted" (Isaiah 12:2-4).

                       "I am YEHOVAH, that is My name" (Isa.42:8). "As for our redeemer, YEHOVAH
                       of hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel" (Isa.47:4). "But I am YEHOVAH your God,
                       Who divided the sea whose waved roared -- YEHOVAH of hosts is His name"
                       (Isa.51:15). "Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore they shall know in that
                       day that I am He who speaks: behold, it is I" (Isa.52:6). "Also the sons of the foreigner
                       who join themselves to YEHOVAH, to serve him, and to love the name of YEHOVAH, to

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