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Shabbat Shalom!

Welcome to the finale post in the series “What in God’s Name”. In this series we explored the 7 redemptive names of God looking at what is IN God’s name that can get us through those tumultuous times in our lives that triggers “what in God’s name?!” type of reactions.

Today we’ll look at Jehovah Shammah—the God who is there/the God who is here!

As we did in previous posts, we’ll start with the backstory—when the name was first used in the Bible to give a brief history, then connect the name to the needs of our lives today and in the future.

This name of God appears only once in the Bible:

… and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The LORD is there.’

Ezekiel 48:35

The name is associated with a prophecy wherein God revealed to Ezekiel that His presence would leave not only the temple but the city of ancient Jerusalem. But, all the way down to the last verse of the last chapter of the book of Ezekiel appears the assurance that God is THERE. Ahead of the Babylonian captivity of the children of ancient Israel—which at the time was already twenty-five years in (Ezekiel 40:1)—God was there.

“The LORD is there” is derived from the Hebraic word shammah which comes from sham which can be translated as “there.”

Jehovah Shammah is a symbolic name for ancient Jerusalem. The name indicates that God had not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that there will be a restoration. And there was partial restoration. However, it’s also a symbolism of the gospel Church and the everlasting kingdom of God. And this is the kingdom which through Jesus’ death has been opened to all believers with the promise of the ever-present presence of God.

For “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3).

God is there—yes, He’s ahead of every situation that will assail us; but He’s also here/He’s ever-present. And the Bible is replete with the eternal promises of God to be here and there for those who choose to be His.

Promises like:

• “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 8:5).
• “I dwell in the high and holy place; yet with Me also are those of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15).
• “I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:16, 18).

Yes, it is even so—for Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is there/the Lord is here.

He’s promised:

• I will come again, and receive you unto Myself that where I am you will be also (John 14:3).

And while His children wait for Him to come again, we will walk through valleys that will appear as final and frightening as death. Yet, we are admonished not to fear for God is with His people and eventually we will dwell in the House of the Lord for ever (Psalm 23:4, 6).

Praises to Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is there/the Lord is here.

In fact, try as hard as I may

• “I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, You are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me, Your strength will support me. If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me” (Psalm 139:7-12).

For, Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is there/the Lord is here.

***

All around us seems to be in upheaval. A pandemic. Crime and violence exploding. There’s literally a war raging. Peoples’ hearts are failing from fear—suicide is on the rise. This is because God allows humanity free choice to run our lives including to make our geo-political decisions, even when they lead to war. Yet,

• “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

For Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is there/the Lord is here.

***

John the Beloved disciple, in vision sees way down to the end of time and wrote for our assurance that even to the end God is present with His children.

John beheld a great multitude, which could not be numbered—these are the believers of God. They are from of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues. They are standing before the throne, and before the Lamb. But here’s the best part,

• “He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them” (Revelation 7:15).

Hallelujah! Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is there/the Lord is here.

God will never give up on those who are His and He will never fail to fulfill His many promises. For

• “all the promises of God in Jesus Christ are yea and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

***

Over these past few weeks I’ve shared the 7 redemptive names of God.

I pray you come to know and surrender to the God who is unceasingly revealing Himself to us. The God who is already in our tomorrow while He’s in our today to be our banner and bring us peace, to heal and restore us, to lead us into redemption through His righteousness.

His love for us is as strong as death and unyielding as the grave. Many waters cannot quench it (Song of Songs 8:6-7). It has overcome death, and broken up the bars of the grave.

Lean on the arm of your Beloved, your Jehovah Shammah—He’s in your “there” but He’s also in your “here”, He will see you through.

Shabbat Shalom!

Related Posts in the Series

1. Jehovah—the God who unceasingly reveals Himself
2. Jehovah Shalom—the God of Peace
3. Jehovah Nissi—the God who is our Banner
4. Jehovah Rapha—the God who Heals
5. Jehovah Jireh PartI and PartII—the God who Provides
6. Jehovah Raah—our Shepherd
7. Jehovah Tsidkenu—God our Righteousness

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In creative solidarity, Dee