The Knife Edge of the Name of the Lord

Near the top of Mt. Everest, 28,000 feet high in the "death zone", there is a narrow ridge only a few feet wide that drops 10,000 feet down to one side and 8,000 feet to the other. This is a place where exhaustion is literally consuming, brain cells are killed at a rapid rate and neurological damage is certain within a very short period. And also in this place, there is little room for errors, and a misstep has huge consequences.














GK Chesterton said that theology is like walking a knife edge ridge with sheer drop offs on either side. The error of legalism falls to the right, and lawlessness to the left. If we neglect the love of God we err, if we neglect His justice we err. Both missteps can have a huge impact in our lives.

Exodus 34:5-7 walks this narrow course and makes clear that the name of the Lord encompasses both justice and love. This passage has been like the John 3:16 to Jewish people through the ages:

Vs 5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with [Moses] and proclaimed his name, the Lord.

Vs 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

Vs 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

Recently I made a personal discovery about the name of the Lord. The "Name of the Lord" rings throughout scripture like a deep bell, sounding and echoing and resounding throughout the entire book. Yet I didn't notice that until just a few days ago. Some things are too big to see.

In light of this, the passage in Exodus is a real gem for me, where God steps out before Moses and proclaims His own name: Jehovah, Lord. The name that is at the same time love, mercy and forgiveness along with justice, righteousness and judgement.

If we deny an attribute of God, say his mercy and love, then we fall into the abyss of legalism. God becomes a cruel school master to fear lest we have sloppy hand writing and get a rap on the knuckles with the almighty ruler. Or if we deny his righteousness and justice, then sin has no consequence, we tread on his creation and creatures with ever increasing cruelty, without regard to judgement from a righteous judge.

Either error is a form of blasphemy because we are denying the full, complete name of the Lord.

Application
The response of Moses in Exodus 34:8 to God proclaiming His name is awesome and should also be our response when we consider the Name of the Lord:

Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.

What was that like for Moses when the Lord proclaimed His name? Was the voice deafening, the sound of thunder and a rushing wind? Was it a still, small voice? Did Moses feel the voice booming inside him? When he went to bed for the next weeks and months, did the proclamation of the Lord haunt Moses, make him yearn deeply for heaven? Could Moses still hear that voice and freshly recall the Name of the Lord on his death bed as he overlooked the promised land from the east side of the Jordan river? Did Moses grit his teeth or want to haul off and knock somebody's head off when he heard that Name blasphemed?

When Moses himself sinned, was the shame and sorrow in his heart amplified because he knew the Name of the Lord included punishment for the guilty? After Moses was cleansed for his sins in the tabernacle rituals, was the joy and thankfulness in his heart magnified because he knew that mercy and loving forgiveness are part of the name of the Lord?

The details are speculative, but the result and application for our lives are clear: the Lord inspires worship, even by his name alone.

The Name Above All Names

Some things are too big too see. In a crowded downtown, walking past a sky scraper you might not realize its massive size or even acknowledge it is there. Some things are so numerous and pervasive that they escape notice. Being a geologist I know that no matter where you go, there are rocks in some form: the cement in concrete comes from limestone, the gold on your ring was once ore in a mine, the asphalt in the road has aggregate, the magnet holding up the picture of baby Huey on your fridge came from the ground. Rocks are everywhere but seldom seen.

This morning I realized that "The Name of the Lord" is the same way in scripture. "The Name of the Lord" is utterly shot through and through all scripture, the hinge for key doctrines, the motive for the drive of nations, the root of blessings and curses, the basis for the covenants, the foundation of prayer, among the top tier and varsity starting squad of the 10 commandments. The Name has been too big for me to see. Today, I just walked by an enormous, towing skyscraper, an edifice that pierces the clouds and spans whole city blocks. And I looked up and saw it for the first time.

This is what I was reading in 1 Kings 5:3-5,

“You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the Lord his God until the Lord put his enemies under his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’ (1 Kings 5:3-5 NIV84)

Three times in three verses The Name is mentioned. Not only had I not fully noticed this in 1 Kings, but also the hundreds of other occurrences throughout the Bible. Somethings are too big to see. But once seen, too important to ignore.

Here's a brief survey of the Name of the Lord in scripture, by no means exhaustive:

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Deuteronomy 5:11)

After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. (2 Samuel 6:18)

Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the Lord and a royal palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:1)

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)

So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem (Psalm 102:21)

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. (Psalm 113:2)

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. (Micah 4:5)

“Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder. (Zephaniah 3:9)

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name'"(Matthew 6:9)

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13, Joel 3:32)

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

In the name of the Lord I was saved and am to live a life of worship. The name of the Lord is my protection, blessing, and drive for service. Is there a facet of our spiritual lives that doesn't fall under the umbrella of His name? The Colossians passage pretty well covers it: EVERYTHING should be done in the name of Jesus.

How many prayers have I scotch taped "in the name of Jesus" to the end like it was a pretty ribbon placed on a wrapped package? Not realizing that the name of Jesus isn't an add on, but the very underpinning of each action and word?

Solomon built the temple for the name of the Lord, a huge task requiring the labor of thousands for years. God wants me to build my life for His Name.

I wonder if I even know what this means at all. I'm sitting in a tiny Yugo in the basement garage of a 150 story sky scraper, not realizing what hangs above me. I haven't even been to the lobby, or ground floor. It has been too big for me to see, and now I feel almost too small to dare to lift my eyes.

Some people wonder if eternity will be boring because it is so long, I wonder if it will be too short to understand the Name of the Lord. Just His name, let alone the majesty of His full person and being.

But for now, may I worship Jesus, the God whose name is above all names.