YHVH ELOHIM – PART 1

There are many different attributes, or traits, of YHVH. He is Big; He is Mighty; He is Loving. These are words we use to tell us Who YHVH is. We can further explore these attributes by looking in the Bible. In the Bible we see what YHVH did, what He said, and how He acted. When we put these together, we have a picture of Who YHVH is. Much of our understanding about YHVH comes from the Old Testament. There we read about events such as Creation, the Fall, the Flood, the Tower of Babel, the Exodus, and the Covenants YHVH made with His people. There are further examples throughout the history of Israel in the Psalms and also the Prophets. By looking at how YHVH acted in these situations and what He said, we can get a good sense of who YHVH is. Nothing, however, is quite as clear as the events recorded in the Gospels, where we read about the life and ministry of Yeshua Moshiach.

Incommunicable Attributes:
The attributes of YHVH can be divided into two types. Some of them are [communicable] and others are [incommunicable.] YHVH's Love and Wisdom are considered [communicable] because they are Characteristics shared with humanity. There are examples of love and wisdom in the people around us. As humans we can have some degree of wisdom or love, although YHVH is the only perfect expression of these. YHVH's Omnipresence and Eternal Nature are considered [incommunicable] because there are no examples of these in the world around us. For example, nothing around us exists eternally, and no one is always present with us.

YHVH’s Incomprehensibility:
Many of the Attributes or Characteristics of YHVH are revealed through the Bible and His Hand on our own lives, but we are limited in how much we can know about YHVH. By virtue of our position as created beings, there is only so much we can comprehend about the Creator.

YHVH’s Unity:
YHVH is Whole. He is not a collection of smaller gods. He is One Holy Being. Any other gods are merely idols or figments of our imagination.

YHVH’s Spirituality:
It may seem obvious to state, but YHVH is not flesh and blood like us. He is invisible to us, but still Personal, Alive and Active in our lives.

YHVH’s Independence:
YHVH does not need anyone or anything. He is the One Who Created us and the world in which we live. He is completely Self-sufficient. How wonderful it is then, that He chose to have a relationship with us -- and not just with a select few, but everyone.

YHVH’s Immutability:
YHVH does not change, which is a good thing for us. He is the same Elohim today as the Elohim Who talked with Adam and Eve. He is the same Elohim who led the people out of Egypt. He has never changed and never will. Not because He doesn't have the Power or Ability to do so, but because there is no need. He is Perfect, and unlike us, He does not need to improve or get better in any way. Likewise, He does not ever change His Mind or act in a whimsical manner. He will not ever change the rules on us or retract His Promises. He remains active and present in this world as a constant, unchanging Force.

YHVH’s Eternity:
You may have often seen the letters [Alpha and Omega] associated with YHVH. They are the Greek equivalents of A and Z and symbolize the fact that YHVH is the Beginning, the End, and everything in between. He was not born, and He was not created out of something else. There is no such thing as -- before Elohim. Likewise, He will not die, nor can He be killed or defeated. There is no such thing as -- after Elohim. These facts should be a great comfort to us in our daily life, since YHVH is bigger than anything and everything we can imagine. No problem is too big for YHVH nor too small. He will never grow old, never grow tired, never give up, and never fail. He will always be there, forever and ever. He is the [ONLY] Most High Elohim that we can be sure of across all time and space.

YHVH’s Immensity:
To say that YHVH is big is an understatement. Even the word – immense -- doesn't quite capture the size and scope of YHVH. The Milky Way we see at night may seem immense to us, but it is a drop in the ocean compared to YHVH. He is Omnipresent, which means that He is Present everywhere, all the time. We don't know how this happens, but we know from the Bible that it is true. He is with you with every breath you take and also with other people across the world at the same time. Wherever we go, whatever we do, YHVH will always be there with us.

[Communicable Attributes] are divided among Intellectual Attributes, Moral Attributes, and YHVH's Will. Like us, YHVH is a Being with Moral Judgment, Knowledge, and Control.

Intellectual Attributes:

YHVH’s Knowledge:
YHVH doesn't just know a lot of things, He knows everything -- everything that ever was or ever will be. And not just facts and figures, He knows our hearts and minds as well. This is what is meant by the Word -- Omniscient. It means all-knowing. Since YHVH is the Only One Who knows everything, we should turn to Him for all the answers. In reading your Bible and in prayer, you will get to know YHVH better.

YHVH’s Wisdom:
Knowledge is useless without the ability to apply it properly. Wisdom means that YHVH uses His Knowledge in the best possible manner to achieve His Goals. YHVH's works are varied, but they are all done in His Wisdom, and we should trust in Him as a result. We should be seeking YHVH's Wisdom in everything that we do, since it is YHVH's Wisdom that enables us to make the best decisions and to live according to His will.

YHVH’s Veracity:
YHVH is not just a Truthful Creator; He is Truth. The word – veracity -- means devotion to the Truth. It is not possible for YHVH to lie, so we should have full confidence in everything that He has revealed to us. Although we might not fully comprehend or understand His Actions or His Word, we should follow Him anyway, trusting Him fully in everything that He does.