Friday, March 4, 2011
Jehovah Sabaoth
Jehovah Sabaoth
March 5, 2011
There is a group of us ladies who used to get together for birthdays. One night several years ago we all went to Marshall to celebrate several of our summer birthdays by going out to eat. There was going to be a city wide event in Marshall and in talking about it we decided to stop downtown and pray. We found a spot behind a bar and all stood in the parking lot praying. I looked up and in my spirit I saw the one of the angelic HOST Standing at the perimeter of the parking lot was a giant angelic being, dressed for battle but with colorful attire. I shall never forget it!!!. He was huge!!As we prayed, the HOSTS of heaven had been summoned and they came to do their battle of the Marshall area that week. WOW and double WOW. I think I told the girls what I saw and none of them seem overly impressed but then... they didn't see what I saw.
Jehovah Sabaoth is the LORD OF HOSTS. He is the commander in Chief.
With the Host of heaven that I saw, I will never lose confidence that the battle belongs to the LORD. The odds are not against us. We are not overmatched. We are strong and though darkness closes in, the warring opposition trembles when the LORD OF HOSTS shows up. There was nothing that our little group of women could do to help advance the gospel for Marshall MN but the strong tower of HIS name showed up. The pillars of the universe trembled and I have to believe God made a difference in that timeframe. I will find out in heaven maybe.
This is a time of darkness and a day of distress. Make no mistake my sisters, the enemy is at hand and is attacking us in our weakest areas. I make no platitudes about our days by saying to you
+-"think about the positive,
+t's not so bad,
+it could always be worse,
+think of the starving children in Africa and so on and so on. " These are days of hard trials for God's people.
It was in such a day as this, when the name of the LORD OF HOSTS was first used in the Bible.
1 Samuel 1:1-10
She prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. At that time, a womans true worth hinged on her offspring. She couldn't seem to get pregnant and have a baby. She felt like she was worthless so all she could do was weep. She would be diagnosed today as severely depressed. But she seemed so out of control that Eli the priest accused her of being drunk during one of her trips to the temple. But had she turned to the bottle? Happy hour? Just one drink for medicinal purposes?
No She was in the temple-where did she turn? To the LORD OF HOSTS.
Read :1 Samuel 1:11
1 Samuel 17:45
Meaning and Derivation: Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning "to be" or "to exist." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Sabaoth (se bâ'ôt) means "armies" or "hosts." Jehovah Sabaoth can be translated as "The Lord of Armies" (1Sa 1:3). This name denotes His universal sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly. The Lord of Hosts is the king of all heaven and earth. (Psa 24:9-10; Psa 84:3; Isa 6:5). Further references of the name Jehovah Sabaoth in the Old Testament: 1Sa 1:11; 1Sa 17:45; 2Sa 6:18; 2Sa 7:27; 1Ki 19:14; 2Ki 3:14; 1Ch 11:9; Psa 24:10; Psa 48:8; Psa 80:4; Psa 80:19; Psa 84:3; Isa 1:24; Isa 3:15; Isa 5:16; Isa 6:5; Isa 9:19; Isa 10:26; Isa 14:22; Jer 9:15; Jer 48:1; Hsa 12:5; Amo 3:13; Mic 4:4; Nah 3:5; Hag 2:6; Zec 1:3; Mal 1:6; Hab 2:13; Zep 2:9 |
In Judaism, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title; it represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relationship of God to the Jewish people and to the world. To demonstrate the sacredness of the names of God, and as a means of showing respect and reverence for them, the scribes of sacred texts treat them with absolute sanctity when writing and speaking them. The various titles for God in Judaism represent God as He is known, as well as the divine aspects which are attributed to Him.
2 Kings 6:16-17 And he answered , Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed , and said , LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see . And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw : and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6:16-17 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Wow-the servant saw what Elisha saw. The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire. That is quite a picture if you think about it. God indeed was present as the commander of the armies of heaven. They won the battle by the way. Since this description is repeated throughout scripture-over 270 times, there is definitely an army of heaven and God himself commands it. Sometimes-most of the time, it is invisible. But this story shows that sometimes we can see it.
If you read in the NIV -the LORD of hosts is translated LORD almighty and that creates some confusion with Gods name of Shaddai which does mean Almighty.
2 Kings 2:9-12 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours--otherwise not." 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
1 Samuel 17:26-47 Read it out loud. David and Goliath.
David felt like Goliath was defying the Armies of the Living God.
He came to the Philistine in the name of the LORD almighty, the LORD OF HOSTS. David did not want the armor of man but proclaimed he was coming against him in the Name of the LORD OF HOSTS. The battle is the LORD's. The later psalms are littered with references written by David referring to the LORD OF HOSTS.
I gotta say that I am glad that the LORD of HOSTS can still shake up our world. He is the LORD OF HOSTS in a physical way. A real army shaking, with earthquakes, hurricanes and tornados to wake us up. Is that ok to say that? I know that many see the hand of the LORD saving them through these disasters. Just as Hannah's condition of barreness led her to find out what the Lord had planned for her and her baby.
God is the LORD OF HOSTS in us -more of a spiritual way. The battles we have our mostly spiritual and in our minds and relationships. No real weapons are drawn against us like guns, and swords. But there is a battle for our souls and the souls of generations to come.
Joshua 1:5 says I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. By this promise, we shall achieve our purpose. THE LORD himself is with us.
Psalm 84:12 O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in Thee!
Whatever we do is what the church is doing. Any forward steps in the Church must begin with us as individuals. As we close this study a word of encouragement. Choose to stay close to God-to pursue Him and REMEMBER what makes up His character. He will help you choose and stay close. Grace alone is what we need to keep on pursuing God. God is working in you. He is working at drawing us close to Him into a more intimate relationship. A relationship where we breath his name very naturally. As this study draws to a close and we take a break, make a choice to stay close to him in study and prayer which results in Zeal and Fruit for His kingdom. The church is us and God is using us! Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name! Rejoice deeply in HIS NAME and think deeply on the true meaning of the Names of the LORD. Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war. With the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ the royal master, leads agast the foe, forward into battle, see his banners go.
Sing Holy Holy Holy and Healing is in your hands. Go to small groups.
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