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The name Adonai, translated "Lord" (only the "L" capitalized), occurs
approximately 300 times in the Old Testament. It's interesting to note
that it is almost always used in the plural possessive form meaning "My
Lords". This, once again, confirms the concept of The Trinity as found
in the name "Elohim". Also consider the fact that this same word is used
of men approximately 215 times in the Old Testament and is predominantly
translated as "master". Note, however, that, when used of men, it is
always used in the singular form. The implication of The Trinity in this
name is obvious in Psalms 110:1.
Ps 110:1
1 The LORD said unto
my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy
footstool.
(KJV)More
accurately translated, this verse would read "Jehovah said unto my
Adonai, Sit thou on my right hand, til I make thine enemies thy
footstool".
The true meaning of
this name in the Hebrew language indicates "mastership" or "ownership".
From this, we can clearly see God's outright ownership of all things in
Heaven and Earth. This also clearly defines our role as servants to our
Adonai.
The first use of this name occurs in Genesis 15:2. Let's examine this
portion of Scripture beginning with verse 1.
Gen 15:1-2
1 After these things
the word of the LORD (Jehovah) came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear
not, Abram: I am thy shield (implicating the name Elohim), and thy
exceeding great reward (implicating the name El-Shaddai).
2 And Abram said,
Lord GOD (Adonai-Jehovah), what wilt thou give me, seeing I go
childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
(KJV)
Consider, for a moment,
the true depth of meaning in Abram's reply. He said "Righteous and
loving Master (Adonai-Jehovah), what will you give me…" It's a well
established fact that Abram was master (adoni -- in the singular form)
over a considerable number of people and as such, he very well
understood the role of each in the relationship. The master exercised
complete and total possession on the one hand while the servant
demonstrated absolute submission on the other. In addressing God as
Adonai-Jehovah, Abram acknowledged God's complete and perfect right of
possession to all that he was and had.
Throughout the New Testament, this same concept of God being master and
owner of all prevails. Numerous times it is said that we are not our own
because we have been "bought with a price". The precious blood of Jesus
paid a debt He did not owe to ransom us from bondage to sin. For that
reason, God commands us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.
Rom 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(KJV)
Our
"reasonable service" is a complete surrender to the will of God our
Father. God will never ask us to do anything we can not accomplish.
Because He is a kind and loving master; he equips us with all we need to
succeed in the tasks He requires of us.
EPH 4:1-13
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of
the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first
into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all
heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of
the fulness of Christ:
(KJV)
Clearly, it is God as our master that calls us to service and here we
see that He has given us the tools we need to fulfill our service to
Him. Through our service, we draw ever closer to our Adonai, our Lord
and Master who is our exceeding great reward! |
