I am the LORD. (Lev 19:16)
This phrase, which is repeated regularly in the books of Moses in the NKJV bible, is simply the word Jehovah or Yahweh (YHWH). In later Jewish history the word was considered so sacred that they would not say it rather using the word Adonai meaning Lord, which is why some bibles translate the word LORD rather than Jehovah. We do not want to go into a detailed analysis of the word here, but the meaning of the word Jehovah according to the Strong’s bible dictionary is, “(the) self-Existent or eternal”, and reminds us how God named Himself to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exo 3:14). God is self-existent, and there was no other before Him. It was Him and Him alone that decided to create everything. A deliberate rejection of this idea, leads to all sorts of confusion.
Imagine trying to understand a building, if you don’t recognise the existence of an architect and the builder. How did this structure appear in the place it is without anyone being behind its creation? It would make no sense. Far from it, we celebrate architects with special skills for the imaginative and innovative buildings they design. So it is with the created universe we see around us; God created it and it is marvellous!!
Similarly, philosophers struggle with the idea of defining truth. This struggle occurs because they will not recognise that Jesus said, “I am … the truth” (John 14:6). Truth is in Him, He embodies truth, truth is a person. Truth is defined by His being and if one does not acknowledge that, then attempting to define truth will simply be an exercise in futility.
God in His relationship with the people of Israel wanted to establish beyond any shadow of doubt that they were in a relationship with the one who defined everything. They were to follow Him because He was a loving God, who only had their well-being at heart. When considering the relationship that God had with his people and with the whole world, Paul can but exclaim, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33).
Have you come to that realisation, that God does not make mistakes? His ways are perfect, His wisdom beyond measure. Our relationship with Him is with a loving Father, a caring Bridegroom, who will be kind to us and knows exactly what is right in every situation.