The Name issue is so much bigger than the opposing arguments regarding spelling and pronunciations. It’s The Father saying:
“Do not bring the Name of Yahweh your Elohim to naught, for Yahweh does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.” Ex. 20:7
and later—
“I am Yahweh, that is My Name, and My esteem I do not give to another, nor My praise to idols.” Is. 42:8
When we do not call The Father by His rightful, revealed name, or the titles He has approved by using them in reference to Himself, we are not just giving Him a false name, which is bad enough in itself, but more importantly, we are taking from Him His rightful glory and substance and giving it to another—which in reality is no other, for there is no other Creator/Savior, Almighty, Wonderful One but Yahweh, and Yahweh alone. What could be more criminally blasphemous than to knowingly deny Him by throwing away His praise on false gods and worthless names?
Yet the world has felt it within their right to do just that. Many believers refuse to observe Christmas or Easter because they are “pagan holidays,” and because they are “not commanded in scripture.” Yet they have no problem calling the One and Only True and Living El by pagan names and titles that are not commanded in scripture. Nowhere in scripture does Yah desire or command to be called God, or HaShem, or Lord. But He does say, “Call Me my Father,” and “Call Me Yahweh.”
Pastors have often taught that we should pay particular attention to anything repeated in scripture. Once is important, twice is very important, and three times is imperative. How important, then, is His name that is revealed over 6,000 times in the original text? How can the Community of Faith, so carelessly handle something so obviously precious. You know better! This is not written to babes, but to the Jews, Messianics, pastors, teachers, and bible translators—you who know the truth—you who have the responsibility to bring the true knowledge of Him to the world—you know better than this. To you who know to do what’s right and don’t do it, it’s sin to you. (James 4:17)
Shame on those who value and defend their own name, but leave His name defenseless. Shame on those who justify their actions as “hiding,” or “protecting” The Name. Shame on those who speak against The Name. Shame on those who allow the replacement of His name by translators for the sake of their traditions. Shame on those who follow the crowd of popular opinion rather than prove themselves faithful to the One.
“Rightfully did Isaiah prophecy concerning you…in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men. Forsaking the command of Elohim, you hold fast the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6-8
And finally, shame on any of us who are able to pick up our Bibles and read over the thousands of worthless "lords" and "gods" that have replaced His true name while remaining untouched, unmoved and unrepentant.
Further reading:
Ex. 23:13, Is. 52:6, 56:6, Jer. 16:21, 23:6, 23:27, Ez. 20:9, Neh. 9:6, Zeph. 3:9, Mal. 3:16, Matt. 23:39, Rev. 19:13
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