BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views
compiled by Frank McClelland for the
Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
257th Edition – August 24, 2025
THE JEHOVAH TITLES
The Lord first revealed Himself to mankind by the name Jehovah [Genesis 2:4]. Every time you see the name ‘LORD’ (in capitals) in Scripture it is the English interpretation of the Hebrew Jehovah.
Jehovah is the incommunicable name of God, that is, it cannot be communicated to man. For example, the name Lord can be used of men, as it is in the Bible, but not Jehovah. That is why Russellites are very wrong in using Jehovah as part of the title of their organization.
The name Jehovah is the Lord’s sacred name and has the meaning of ‘He that always was, and who will always be.’ It is therefore tied to the eternity of God, another reason why man should not use it.
The Bible contains several Jehovah couplets like Jehovah Jireh – the Lord will provide [Genesis 22:14]. It is our intention, over the next few weeks, to look at some of these individually. Together they show the various aspects of the need of mankind. The Lord’s kindness is seen in His self-revealing titles.
“My God shall supply all your need” [Philippians 4:19]
JEHOVAH HOSENU [Psalm 95:6].
1)MAN NEEDS A SOURCE
One of the most profound questions in the Bible is, “What is man? [Psalm 8:4]. We live on an amazing planet, hurtling through space at 66,000mph. There is none like it!
How did we get here? Either we were created, or we evolved. This world contains wonderful creatures, from the tiniest insect, almost invisible to the human eye, to the huge animals like the elephant or whale.
All of these exhibit the work of a great designer. They all, and we, were made by the infinitely skilled hand of the great Creator.
When considering creation, one has to ask where is the adequate source to account for its existence? The evolutionist has no adequate source either for the Earth, the creatures on it, or the Universe.
The Christian knows he comes from the hand of the Creator. In the grounds of the Scarborough Civic Centre is a tall statue, now mostly obscured by trees, of a man standing in a large hand.
The statue is a copy of the famous “Man in the hand of God,” by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. One meaning is suggestive, “It is only when man is in the hand of God that he reaches his highest destiny.”
We are not descended from apes or any other creature. Our source is Jehovah Hosenu – the LORD our MAKER.
JEHOVAH JIREH [Genesis 22:14].
2)MAN NEEDS A SACRIFICE
Why? All men and women are sinners. [Romans 3:23]. Sin is the breaking of God’s law. Sinners need a sacrifice to pay the debt of their sin. ‘Without the shedding of blood is no remission” [Hebrews 9:22]. By the shedding of His blood on the Cross, Jesus “Made one sacrifice for sins forever” [Hebrews 10:12].
It is not for us to decide how to be reconciled to God. God is the aggrieved one, and we are the aggressors. The Lord alone has the right to set the terms of reconciliation, and this He has done with the blood sacrifice.
In the well-known Bible story of Abraham attempting to sacrifice his son, Isaac was in dire need, but just as Abraham raised the knife God stepped in and provided a substitute sacrifice, a ram caught in a thicket. We were in a similar state of great need. It was then that God provided a sacrifice, His Son, for us.
Thank God He is Jehovah Jireh, the LORD provides what we couldn’t.
A LESSON LEARNED
We live in a very advanced technological age with the tendency to regard people who lived 2500 years ago as ‘’not too bright.” Disabuse your mind of that idea.
I visited Vergina in Greece where the tomb of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great was found in 1977. A museum now displays some of the most important items found. Included were two royal crowns made from gold leaf. Such was the intricate detail, even to hairs of gold, that it would be doubtful if you could find an artisan today who could replicate them.
