Names of God (Old Testament)Намуна

Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord who is there

The final verse of Ezekiel uses God's name, ‘Jehovah-Shammah.’ In this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel describes his vision of the new city and temple and Israel's restoration. His final words are: ' The Lord is there.’

What does it mean for us to know the Lord is there? Throughout the Old Testament, there is a special unfolding of who God is to His people. Romans 1:20 says that even those who reject God know about Him, and this limited knowledge of God’s presence makes the world bearable. However, for those of us who have Christ, we know a God who dwells in us. This is life-changing. This is an intimate and living knowledge of ‘The Lord who is there,’ that is, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us through the work of Christ. But there is more to come!

There will be a time when the Lord not only dwells in us but dwells with us. The vision in Revelation 21 is of the new heaven and new earth where God ‘will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God’ (21:3b). Our eternal home will be a place where God is fully realised in dwelling with us.

Jehovah-Shammah, the God who is there, is the name that emphasizes God’s presence and His commitment to being with His people. For those of us who know this name of God, we have the privilege of being God’s presence in this world. By doing so, we beckon our eternal home and demonstrate the Lord is there.

Written by QUYNH EASTMAN