“… the Father has life in Himself …” (John 5:26, NKJV)
In overarching terms we are still concerned with the characteristics of “the Spirit of the Lord” (Isa. 11:2), examining the distinctive functions of this first of the seven Spirits of God.
An important matter that needs to be considered in the case of this first Spirit, “the Spirit of the Lord”, is that the word Lord in Hebrew is the Name Jehovah, or YHWH, and is thus “the Spirit of Yahweh” (NJB). If one then refers to the sevenfold lampstands as the symbol of the sevenfold Spirit, this Spirit takes up the position in the middle, with a set of three other Spirits on each side. The other six Spirits flow from, or are fed from, this central Spirit of Yahweh’s.
Perhaps it’s useful to gain more information about this anchor Name of God. In the KJV Jehovah is translated as Lord, but is presented in all capitals, in other words: LORD. This Name is the most frequent one used in the Old Testament, of all God’s names. It is used 6832 times.
The Name is derived from the Hebrew verb hâyâh, which, according to BDB, means “to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out”. This word also corresponds with another verb, havvah or chavvah, “to shew, to discover”. (Webster explains that the name of Eve was derived from this verb, “the manifester”! Eve was a manifester of who Jehovah is!) There is a link between being and life, therefore Jehovah is often translated as “the existing One” (BDB), or “(the) self Existent or eternal” (Strong). He is the One who is the essential origin of all life; the source, not dependant on anyone or anything. This is a quality only nestled in Yahweh, as Jesus spells out in John 5:26: “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself …” His life was thus not received from someone or something other; He is not dependent on anyone or anything; He is the origin of what we call life.
The verb phrases “to be” and “to live” from which Yahweh’s Name is taken, refers to essential life, and to existence. Thus Jehovah’s being is not only eternal, but all his characteristics and core identity are eternal and unchanging – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8). This also means that He cannot change, as only that which is temporary, limited, imperfect or undeveloped, can change. Therefore Mal. 3:6 (ASV) makes it clear: “For I, Jehovah, change not.” James 1:17 then notes that “from the Father … there is no variation or shadow of turning”. God is never caught unawares; He does not learn new things; He is never surprised at events that occur – He “knows all things” (1 John 3:20). He does not experiment; He does not grow stronger or more powerful.
When Moses asks God who he should say has sent him, and “what is His Name?” God answers: “I AM WHO I AM.” This is merely a description of the same meanings as the Name Jehovah.
- Selah: Are you a manifestation of the life that exists in God?
- Read: 43-45
- Memorise: 44:18
