by Patricia Skinner

Created on: May 31, 2010

The way that we humans view God is influenced by our culture, by the religion of our parents, and possibly by our own choice. Some use a name; others simply call him God. Does it really matter? Is there just one true God who reveals himself and his name to us?

God is the term we commonly give to the ultimate source and power of the universe and the subject of religious devotion.  A dictionary defines the term “God” as “the supreme or ultimate reality.” What is the nature of such an awesome reality?

Is God an impersonal force or a real person? Does he have a name? Is he, as many believe, part of a triune god. ? How can we come to know God? The Bible provides truthful and satisfying answers to these questions. In fact, it encourages us to seek God, saying: “He is not far off from each one of us.”—Acts 17:27.

It seems, then, that the very first essential in any quest to identify  God would be to get to know him by name. Such a search is not at all difficult, for the name of Almighty God, the Creator, is clearly and simply stated at Psalm 83:18: “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”—King James Version.

So why is it, this name is hardly ever used in the religious organisations of this world?  Some may say it is not really important to use the name, simply addressing God as Father or simply God, is sufficient.  Both these names though, are simply titles they are not proper names.  In ancient times people called their Gods by name, for example Dagon, Baal, Thor, etc. they all had names and were identified by that name. 

However, simply knowing the name does not constitute knowing God.  To know someone is to really understand the person, his feelings, attitude, likes and dislikes. It involves more than just saying  “Yes, I know him”, it involves getting to know and admire his qualities.

Though it is true that humans will never be able to see the true God, he has kindly had recorded for us in the Bible many details about his personality. (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18) Certain Hebrew prophets were given inspired visions of Almighty God’s heavenly courts. What they describe portrays not only great dignity and awesome majesty and power but also serenity, order, beauty, and pleasantness. And even though humans will never be able to see God, his son Jesus Christ, when on earth as a man, reflected the qualities of his Heavenly Father Jehovah. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that Jesus’ kindness, mildness, warmth, compassion and his love for righteousness and strong hatred of wickedness are the qualities that Jehovah God possesses.  Thus, when we truly come to have the full understanding of the name Jehovah, we will have every reason to bless that name, give it praise and exalt it as well as to trust it.

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