The Word in a Word: Lord (Yahweh) יהוה

The Word in a Word: Yahweh

Opening Jingle:

"The Word in a Word – where one word brings the Word to life!"

Host:

Welcome to The Word in a Word! Today, we’re exploring Yahweh (יהוה), the sacred name of God often translated as “Lord.” This name carries profound meaning and reveals critical aspects of who God is, including the declaration in Isaiah 55:8-9:

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Before Moses, God was largely known as the unknown God—hidden, mysterious, and incomprehensible. But through Moses, He revealed Himself as the Creator of calamity, as stated in Isaiah 45:7:

"I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things."

Let’s unpack this deeper meaning by examining the letters in His name.

• י ('Yod') – Represents His divine thoughts, higher than human understanding, shaping the universe with perfect wisdom.
• ה ('He') – Indicates what is not understood, symbolizing His hidden and mysterious nature.
• ו ('Vav') – Means to clarify, showing that through His word and works, He reveals His purposes to humanity.
• ה ('He') – Again emphasizes the limits of human comprehension, reminding us of the mystery of His ways.

Sound Effect: (Soft harp melody.)

Host:

The name Yahweh reflects the tension between what God reveals and what remains beyond human understanding. Through His dealings with Moses, God transitioned from being the unknown God to the One who actively demonstrated His authority. By establishing a system of sowing and reaping, He became known as the Creator of calamity—not as one who delights in destruction, but as the architect of a moral and spiritual framework where choices have real consequences.

In Egypt, God clarified this reality to Pharaoh through Moses. The plagues were not random disasters; they were intentional acts revealing God’s supreme power and justice. Each calamity was a demonstration of God’s active engagement with His creation, clarifying His identity and authority as the Lord over all.

Closing Thought:

The name Yahweh is not merely a title—it’s a revelation. It declares that God’s thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours, yet He reveals enough to guide us in understanding His justice, mercy, and purpose. From the unknown God to the Creator of calamity, His name captures the full spectrum of His character and work.

Closing Jingle:

"The Word in a Word – where one word brings the Word to life. See you next time!"

Sound Effect: (Harp fades out gently.)

again for Yahweh יהוה translated Lord; in word formation means 'His thoughts יare not understood ה his word/works ו are not understood ה. This is how he was known until Moses when he made himself known as 'Creator י of calamity הוה .