Carolyn E. Jacobs

I balked, at first, about this week’s name, The Name. Because it’s not a name. It’s a placeholder, if you will. But then my mind went in a million different directions, and I’ve ended up with four blog posts this week to get my thoughts organized. How many times in Scripture do we see, “For the sake of His name,” or For Your name’s sake?” A lot. What are some of the things Yahweh does for the sake of Hashem, his name?” He restores my soul. (Psalm 23) He guides me in paths of righteousness. (Psalm 23) He forgives my wrongdoing, which is great. (Psalm 25) He leads me and guides…

Hashem means The Name. Noah named his son Name. Doesn’t that sound like a Far Side Cartoon? Mrs. Noah, hands on hips, glares at Noah. “You wrote “Name” on his birth certificate?” Noah shrugs and lifts his hands in apology. “The instructions said, ‘Write name here.'”   So why would Noah name his son Name? I’m reminded of Chuck Missler’s study on the names in the genealogy of Adam to Noah found in Genesis 5. Here’s the conclusion. Strung together in a sentence, the names mean, “Man is appointed mortal sorrow, but the Blessed God shall come down, teaching that his death shall bring the despairing comfort and rest.” Boom.…

This week’s name is The Name. Sounds like a riff on “Who’s on First?” “What’s the name this week?” “The Name.” “Right, the name. What is it?” “I told you, The Name.” “That’s what I’m asking. What. Is. The. Name?” “That’s it!” This week in Ann Spangler’s study, we’re looking at Hashem. Technically, it’s not a name of God; it’s The Name. Hashem. Shem means name, and Ha is the definite article. Today, many observant Jews say Hashem instead of God out of reverence and holy fear. They even write G-d for fear of taking his name in vain.   What’s in a name?  “What’s in a name? That which we…

Behold, the Lord GOD (Adonay Yahweh) will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His compensation is with Him, And His reward before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in the fold of His robe; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. – Isaiah 40:10-11 I can’t read Isaiah 40:11 without breaking into song. He Shall Feed His Flock is a glorious piece. But what’s the connection between verses 10 and 11? What does carrying lambs in the fold of his robe have to do with his might and his ruling arm? This week, we’re looking at Yahweh Roeh, The Lord is My Shepherd. Just like last…

In Psalm 23, David calls Yahweh his Roeh, his shepherd. Yahweh is my Roeh.     I am never in need.         He makes me lie down in green pastures.         He leads me beside peaceful waters.         He renews my soul.         He guides me along the paths of righteousness             for the sake of his name. – Psalm 23:1-3, Names of God version Why did Yahweh make himself known to David as a shepherd? David was a shepherd. He knew what it took to be a good shepherd. He knew it didn’t involve lying in the grass, blowing the parachutes off dandelions all day. David replied to Saul, “I…