Who is God-YAHWEH?

Understanding who God-YAHWEH is according to Biblical Christianity requires an exploration of His nature, attributes, and the ways He has revealed Himself throughout the Scriptures. This exploration can be divided into several key aspects: the nature of God, His attributes, His revelation, His relationship with humanity, and the implications of His existence for believers.

1. The Nature of God-YAHWEH

1.1 Monotheism:

God-YAHWEH is the one and only God, the foundation of monotheistic belief in Biblical Christianity. The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4, declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This foundational statement emphasizes that YAHWEH is not one among many gods but the singular, unique Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.

1.2 Eternality:

God-YAHWEH is eternal, having no beginning and no end. He exists outside of time and space, which He Himself created. This is evident in passages like Psalm 90:2, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."

1.3 Self-Existence:

YAHWEH is self-existent, meaning He does not depend on anything or anyone for His existence. This is encapsulated in His name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, "I AM WHO I AM." This name, YAHWEH, indicates that He is the self-sufficient, self-sustaining One.

2. The Attributes of God-YAHWEH

2.1 Omnipotence:

God-YAHWEH is all-powerful, able to do anything consistent with His nature. Jeremiah 32:17 states, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."

2.2 Omniscience:

YAHWEH is all-knowing, fully aware of all things past, present, and future. His knowledge is complete and perfect, as expressed in Psalm 139:1-4, "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off."

2.3 Omnipresence:

YAHWEH is present everywhere at all times. He is not confined by physical space, as Psalm 139:7-10 describes, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there."

2.4 Holiness:

God-YAHWEH is holy, completely separate from sin and morally perfect. His holiness is a defining characteristic, emphasized throughout Scripture, such as in Isaiah 6:3, where the seraphim cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!"

2.5 Justice:

YAHWEH is just, meaning He is perfectly righteous in His dealings with humanity. His justice is reflected in His laws and commandments, as well as in His judgments. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He."

2.6 Love:

God-YAHWEH is love, as stated explicitly in 1 John 4:8, "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." His love is not merely an emotion but an active, self-giving love that is demonstrated in His relationship with humanity, particularly in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

2.7 Mercy and Grace:

YAHWEH is merciful and gracious, showing compassion and unmerited favor to His creation. His mercy is often highlighted in the Psalms, such as in Psalm 103:8, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy."

3. The Revelation of God-YAHWEH

3.1 General Revelation:

YAHWEH reveals Himself through creation, which displays His power and divine nature. Psalm 19:1 proclaims, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." This general revelation is accessible to all people and leaves them without excuse, as explained in Romans 1:20.

3.2 Special Revelation:

God-YAHWEH also reveals Himself through special means, particularly through His Word (the Bible) and through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible is considered the inspired, inerrant Word of God, containing His will, character, and purposes. Jesus Christ, as the incarnation of YAHWEH, is the ultimate revelation of God to humanity, as stated in Hebrews 1:1-3, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son."

3.3 The Name YAHWEH:

The name YAHWEH is the personal name of God, revealed to Moses and signifying His eternal, unchanging nature. This name is used throughout the Old Testament, often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles. The name itself is derived from the Hebrew verb "to be," indicating that God is the one who is, who was, and who is to come.

4. The Relationship of God-YAHWEH with Humanity

4.1 Creator-Creation Relationship:

YAHWEH is the Creator of all things, including humanity. This relationship establishes YAHWEH’s sovereignty over creation and His rightful authority to govern it. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," setting the stage for His ongoing relationship with humanity.

4.2 Covenant Relationship:

Throughout Scripture, YAHWEH enters into covenants with His people, establishing a special relationship with them. The Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, and the New Covenant in Christ are key examples. These covenants reflect YAHWEH’s commitment to His people and His desire for them to live in obedience and fellowship with Him.

4.3 Redemptive Relationship:

YAHWEH’s relationship with humanity is fundamentally redemptive. From the promise of a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15 to the fulfillment of that promise in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God-YAHWEH is actively involved in redeeming fallen humanity. John 3:16 captures this redemptive love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

5. Implications for Believers

5.1 Worship:

Understanding who God-YAHWEH is leads to a life of worship. Believers are called to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24), acknowledging His greatness, holiness, and love. Worship is not just a religious duty but a response to the revelation of YAHWEH’s character and works.

5.2 Obedience:

The knowledge of YAHWEH compels believers to live in obedience to His commands. Jesus stated in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Obedience is a natural response to the recognition of YAHWEH’s authority and holiness.

5.3 Trust:

Believers are called to trust in YAHWEH’s character and promises. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Trusting YAHWEH means relying on His wisdom, power, and goodness in every aspect of life.

5.4 Evangelism:

Knowing YAHWEH also compels believers to share the knowledge of Him with others. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands believers to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you."

Conclusion

God-YAHWEH is the eternal, self-existent, holy, and loving Creator and Sustainer of all things. He has revealed Himself through creation, His Word, and most fully in Jesus Christ. His attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, holiness, justice, love, mercy, and grace define His character and guide His actions. YAHWEH’s relationship with humanity is marked by His role as Creator, Redeemer, and Covenant-Keeper. For believers, understanding who YAHWEH is results in worship, obedience, trust, and a commitment to sharing the knowledge of Him with others.

This understanding of God-YAHWEH forms the foundation of Biblical Christianity and shapes every aspect of a believer’s life and faith.