The Lord introduced Himself to Israel, through Moses, saying, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14).  Through this name He would be known and worshiped.  In these words comes the full expression of His character, "I WILL BE", the dependable and faithful God:  "Then the LORD came down in the clous and stood there with him and proclaimed His name, the LORD...'The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin" (Exodus 34:5-7a). God, Who is the supreme being, has the supreme name.  "The LORD, the God of your fathers - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob...This is My name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation" (Exodus 3:15).

 

His name is equal to His person; to dishonor His name is to attack the very character of God.  When we honor His name we are bring honor to the family of God, just as we protect and seek to bring honor to our own family name.  Israel was chosen by God to bear His name and reveal His glory before the world, and the city of Jerusalem was chosen as His earthly throne, the place where His name would dwell.  In placing His name on His people the Lord put His name on the line. Their obedience would lead to His blessings, but their dishonor would bring the Lord's discipline, causing the surrounding nations to question the power of their God who, they thought, could not protect them by keeping them in the land.  "I dispersed them amount the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions.  And wherever they went among the nations they profaned My holy name, for it was said of them, 'These are the LORD's people, and yet they had to leave His land.' I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone" (Ezekiel 36:19-21).

 

The Lord does not need anyone to defend His name, He is quite capable of standing up for Himself; but what He does desire is for His people to honor and revere His name.  In bearing His name and living in holiness and righteousness, as His character demands, His name is exalted and honored before the world.  Anytime we misuse His name in our speech or in our actions we bring dishonor to Him (reference Leviticus 19:12).  The world may curse His name with great ignorance, but God's people have presented Him to the world with disrespect and dishonor by not living up to the character of His name.  "Be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).  The Lord will not allow His glory to be given to another, therefore, when His name is being defamed He will step in to defend it.  "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.  I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them.  Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, when I show Myself holy through you before their eyes" (Ezekiel 36:22-23).

 

The name of Jesus Christ is under intense attack by the world, and it is no wonder why His people, whom He has chosen to bear His name, both Jews and Christians, alike, suffer for the sake of His name.  "They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One Who sent Me" (John 15:21).  It should be our joy to suffer for the One Who endured intense opposition and suffering that we might be saved.  "...rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41b). 

 

His name is above all names (reference Philippians 2:9). "...you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Through Israel the name and glory of God was revealed, and through them came the Messiah whose very name would bring salvation to the world.   "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).  From the moment the Lord revealed Himself to Moses He presented Himself as Deliverer of His people.  Today, Jesus Christ has brought the ultimate deliverance from sin, yet many of His people Israel do not recognize Him as Savior; as a result they continue to bring dishonor to the very name they were chosen to bear.  Their contempt of God has brought upon them the contempt of the world.

 

As we continue in prayer for Israel, let us consider the events of 1 Samuel 17:41-50; praying that they would become like David's who put their trust in the name of the Lord and experience victory against any that dare defy the name of the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.  "I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).  May they recognize the name and person of Jesus Christ and experience the deliverance He brings to all who trust in His name.  May we also pray for our nation to fall under the headship of Christ and acknowledge, with reverance and fear, the name of Jesus Christ, recognizing that by His name alone are we saved, protected and blessed.  "But let all who take reuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You" (Psalm 5:11). 

 

  

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Prayer Scripture references:  2 Samuel 7:22-24, 25b, 26a; Proverbs 18:10.