Hello Beloved,

As we continue our study of God’s names, we move from Yahweh, Elohim, and their compounds to a third Hebrew name for God, Adonai. Adonai is often translated “Lord,” but please do not confuse this name with that of the capitalized “LORD,” which often takes the place of Yahweh in our English translations. Similarly, in Jewish tradition, when reading the Hebrew Scripture, they would often substitute the personal name of God, “Yahweh” with “Adonai.” Adonai is used of God about three hundred times in the Old Testament, and like “Elohim” the name “Adonai” is in the plural when it is used of God.

The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines Adonai: the “Divine name translated as ‘Lord’ signifying honor, majesty, and sovereignty.” Adonai, being translated as Lord, signifies ownership or simply the master. Of course, the names “lord” and “master” are often used to describe relationships between servants and their masters in the realm of human interaction. On a practical or relevant level, the name of “Adonai” emphasizes the fact that God is the owner of every human being, and He deserves absolute obedience from all. A scene form Genesis helps to picture the loving and yielding disposition of a servant to his master. The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. Abraham, from the opening of his tent lifted his eyes and saw Him, along with two angels. Immediately, Abraham ran and bowed himself stating, “O Lord (Adonai), if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.” Genesis 18:3 (ESV) The name of “Adonai” expresses complete dependence on God, trust in Him as master and Lord, and infers a pledge to yield to His will. Further, the name “Adonai” can be used to express assurance, security, ready service, and thanksgiving to the true “Master” and “Lord” of all. Consider how David intersperses the personal name of God (Yahweh) with that of His name for lordship and submission (Adonai). David writes, “I say to the LORD (Yahweh), “You are my Lord (Adonai); I have no good apart from you.”
Psalm 16:2 (ESV) Or consider David’s words of security and thanksgiving to God, when he found himself on the run from Saul while hiding in a cave. Davide states, “I will give thanks to you, O Lord (Adonai), among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalm 57:9-10 (ESV) Further, consider the words of the prophet, Habakkuk. Though he struggled with understanding the ways of God and His discipline of Judah, at the end of the book, the prophet has nothing but praise. He writes, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD (Yahweh); I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord (Adonai), is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places . . .” Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)

As I think of these texts, I am reminded of an inscription on a child’s tomb, which reads:

"Who plucked that flower?" cried the gardener as he walked through the garden. His fellow-servant answered, "The Master." . . . And the gardener held his peace.—Elon Foster 

This life contains many challenges and difficulties. We are tempted to question the Lord regarding why circumstances occur as they do, given the sovereign hand of God and His control over all things. Nevertheless, we remember the yielding attitude of Abraham as he awaited God’s promised seed. We recall David’s resolve in the Lord’s goodness while running from Saul, who slanderously accused him, though he was innocent. And we identify with Habakkuk, who yielded his understanding to the ways of the Lord. Do you have an issue in your life right now in which you find yourself needing to bend the knee and pray, “Lord, you are ‘Adonai,’ and I trust in You.” 

Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit”.