A simple definition of Redemption is the salvation from sin and its consequences through the death (the cross), burial and resurrection of Jesus.
In this there is a redemptive relationship between God and mankind. Within the Bible, God has revealed this relationship through His various names outlined throughout scripture. Each of these compound names reveal God as meeting every need of mankind from his lost state.
God defines His name to Moses in Exodus 3:14 - And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and He said, “You will say this to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
This name that God set down signifies: Firstly, that He is self-existent; He has His existence of himself and has no dependence upon any other. Secondly, that He is eternal, unchangeable, and always the same. Yesterday, today and forever, God will be what He will be and what He is. Thirdly, that He is faithful and true to all His promises, unchangeable is His word as well has His nature, and not a man that He should lie. (Abbreviated from Matthew Henrys Concordance)
This was the name Moses was commissioned by God to use. The revelation that God gave Himself through the names He prescribed is for our benefit and well-being.
Psalms 9:10 - And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
God revealed Himself to us through His names. He has revealed His character, attributes, and promises in a way that can be easily understood and remembered. This brings wonderful richness of assurance available to those, in seeking Him, who know and experience the fullness of God in revelation to His names.
Psalms 124:8 - Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
God’s revealed character, made known to us by way of His name(s), is the foundation for the confidence on which we stand. We recognize His being, of who He is, to be our certain source of strength and help.
Further to this we find in the Bible seven compound names (or additions) giving further revelation to who He is. Since these names are in God’s redemptive relation to mankind they point to the activity of the cross where we have been redeemed.
These compound names are:
Jehovah-Jireh- "the Lord will provide" (Genesis 22:13,14).
Jehovah-Nissi - "the Lord our banner" (Exodus 17:8-15).
Jehovah-Shalom - "the Lord our peace," or "the Lord send peace" (Judges 6:24).
Jehovah-Ra-ah - "the Lord my shepherd" (Psalm 23.).
Jehovah-Tsidkenu - "the Lord our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6).
Jehovah-Shammah - "the Lord is present" (Ezekiel 48:35).
Often the first 6 names are easily and readily accepted as benefits we can receive here and now as we accept by faith Jesus as Savior. We cannot then handle the 7th name, defined below, by excluding or characterizing it differently. Yet, often this 7th name is entirely thrown out from the redemptive relationship between God and man. It is also incorrectly applied to mean that this benefit is implying a future redemptive promise, healing once in heaven, and cannot be expected now.
Jehovah-Rapha - "I am the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:26). That this refers to physical healing the context clearly shows. This name, like the 6 others, is given to reveal to us our redemptive privilege, in this case, being healed. The tense of this statement illustrates the present “right-now” benefit to those in immediate need as well as the ongoing future availability.
This name, Jehovah-Rapha, is proven and confirmed in the history of Israel. We find that whenever Israel was sick, as they turned to God in confession and repentance, always their sins were forgiven and their sicknesses immediately healed. Example: 2 Chronicles 30:17-20
These redemptive names are not simply promises but statutes and ordinances declared by God Himself. God gave us these names to illustrate what we can expect from Him, including healing, as we look to Him for our salvation.
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