Jehovah Roi - The Lord is My Shepherd

We are studying the Names of God on Wednesdays. There are about 80 distinct names for this awesome God we serve. We will not study them all, but I am challenging our people to start to think of God’s name that applies to the situation or challenge they may be facing. If we can’t remember the Hebrew, at least remember the characteristic of that name.

I think God is perhaps the most overused word in the world today. Whether we are saying God or Allah or Lord do we really know Him? Do we really know what His expectations are, His desires for us, His ways with us.

David wrote: Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalms 86:11. As we unite our heart to reverence the Name(s) of God, we will learn His Ways. Jesus expounded on this when He said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father but by me.” “He who has seen me has seen the Father”. “I and the Father are One”.

Jesus is the “sweetest name I know”, but in order to know Jesus and to know the Father, a study and a renewed reverence for the Names of God is in order.

Last night we looked at the beloved Psalm 23. In just a few verses David reveals 8 names of God! That is a man who has learned God’s ways! David said “My eyes are ever toward the Lord (Ps 25:15). If we are to know Who this God is that we praise, we must know His Names.

Jehovah Roi - The Caring Name of God

Eight Actions (Qualities) of Jehovah My Shepherd

1 Jehovah Roi, "The LORD is my shepherd" (Ps. 23:1). He shepherds us by:

a. Leading 1 Pet. 2:21
b. Feeding (teaching) John 21:17
c. Protecting. John 10:10

2. Jehovah-Jireh ("the LORD shall provide"), "I shall not want" (Ps. 23:1).

a. The LORD provided the sacrifice for Abraham. Gen. 22:14

b. God provided Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. Zech. 12: 10.

3. Jehovah Shalom, (the LORD [our] Peace), "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters" (Ps. 23:2).

a. When Gideon faced a challenge, he discovered God as Jehovah Shalom (see Judg. 6:23.)

b. Gideon responded by giving Jehovah a new name (Judg. 6: 24).

4. Jehovah Rophe (the LORD [our] Healer), "He restoreth {shub} my soul" (Ps. 23:3). Note of interest about restore: [The basic meaning of the verb is movement back to the point of departure. In the first occurrence of this verb God told Adam that he and Eve would "eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:19). Used in this emphasis, ‘shub’ can be applied specifically of returning along a path already traversed: "So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir" (Gen. 33:16). The word can mean "turn away from," as in Psa. 9:3: "When mine enemies are turned back …," or "reverse a direction," as in 2 Kings 20:10: " —Vine's

a. At Marah the water needed healing (Exo 15: 22-26). The log or branch that God showed Moses was able to take all the bitterness and poison out of the water, and make it fresh and drinkable.

b. We sometimes need physical, mental and/or spiritual healing. Combining the concept of Jehovah Rophe with “restore” means that God has the power to return us back to him along the same path we have travelled AWAY from Him. He is the God of Healing and New Beginnings. Not just a fresh start, but He has the power to restore us to that place of New and Fresh Joy in His presence. David knew this when He cried out to God to “restore unto me the Joy of my salvation”. It is possible to be healed and restored completely by Jehovah, to the point where the past has no hold on us, the scars are completely healed and our Love is as fresh and new as when we were first born again!

5. Jehovah Tsidkenu (the LORD our Righteousness), 'He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness" (Ps. 23:3).

a. We deserve the judgment of hell John 3:36

b. Through the LORD our Righteousness, we receive mercy, grace and righteousness Ps. 103:4 (In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:6;
c. I Cor 1:30 –The Christians “BLANK CHECK” "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption and ____________ (Fill in the blank with whatever your need is)

6. Jehovah Nissi (the LORD my Banner), "Though I walk through the valley of death thou art with me" (Ps. 23:4).

a. The banner or flag was held high in battle. (Military Use)

b. The LORD was with Israel in their battle against Amalek Exod. 17:8-15

7. Jehovah Shammah (the LORD is there), 'Thou art with me" (Ps. 23:4); Ezek. 48:35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE."

a. Rod was used as a club to beat off wild animals. The staff was a crook that rescued sheep in trouble.

b. Believers are comforted by the Good Shepherd's rod and staff Ps. 110:2

c. God meets the need of loneliness Matt. 28:20; John 14:18;

8. Jehovah Mekaddishkhem (the LORD that sanctifies), "Thou anointest my head with oil" (Ps. 23:5; Exod. 31:13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”

a. Oil is used to clean, heal, soothe and replenish. It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Sam. 16:13; Isa. 61:1; Acts. 10:38).

b. God meets the needs of moral or spiritual uncleanness and defilement (see Phil. 4:13; 1 John 2:1,2).

Try praying these names of God when you are faced with a corresponding need in your life. Which Name applies to your need? Lift His Name High! Glorify His Name! Is there anything too small for Him? Is there anything too large?