YHVH ELOHIM – PART 2

Moral Attributes:

YHVH’s Goodness:
The most comprehensive description of YHVH's Moral Character is His Goodness. YHVH deals bountifully and kindly with all His creatures. He is -- good to all: Psalm 145:9. Yeshua insisted that -- no one is good but YHVH Alone -- Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19. The redeemed believers praise YHVH for His Goodness -- 1 Chronicles 16:34; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalms 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 136:1; Jeremiah 33:11 -- and are called upon to emulate this Divine Characteristic -- Matthew 5:45; Luke 6:27–36.

YHVH’s Love:
YHVH's Love is evident throughout the Bible. He cares deeply for His people and does not want to see any of us suffer. It pains Him when we rebel and go against His Word. We can get a human sense of this love when we think about how much we love our family members. But YHVH's Love goes much deeper than that -- it is without conditions and without end. In fact, He Loved us so much that while we were still sinners, He offered His Son Yeshua Moshiach to die for us. YHVH's Love for us is truly overwhelming

YHVH’s Holiness:
There are many people on this earth that we might consider – holy -- missionaries, a pastor, or Bible teacher. Despite their many good deeds and solid relationship with YHVH, they cannot really be considered as holy in the same way that YHVH is Holy. YHVH's Holiness refers to His absolute moral purity. To be Holy means to be set apart, and YHVH is indeed set apart from all impurity. He is the only Holy One. And because YHVH is Holy, His people are also called to holiness. We should be striving to set ourselves apart from the sinful ways of the world.

Volitional Attributes:

YHVH’s Sovereignty:
YHVH is Adonai of everything. The Word – Sovereign -- means king or ruler, and YHVH is the Ruler of all Heaven and Earth. This is where the term Omnipotent comes from -- YHVH is All-Powerful. He made the universe and everything in it, and He is in charge of this Creation. There is nothing at all that is too hard for the Adonai Elohim Almighty. He alone has the Power to heal broken lives and make people whole. He alone has the Power to bring Comfort in times of suffering. YHVH is Mighty, and His Power is without bounds or limits.

YHVH’s Sovereign Power:
YHVH's Sovereign Power means that He is without bounds or limit in ability; He is Omnipotent Almighty -- Revelation 4:8. By His Powerful Word, He Created all things, and upholds [the universe by His Word of Power] -- Hebrews 1:3. There is nothing too hard for YHVH Elohim Almighty -- Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26; He keeps His Gracious Covenant and fulfils all His Promises -- Luke 1:37; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 6:18. The gospel is -- the Power of YHVH for Salvation -- Romans 1:16 -- for Moshiach is -- the Power of YHVH to save -- 1 Corinthians 1:24. Hence, believers must come to know the -- Immeasurable Greatness of His Power in us who believe, according to the working of His Great Might which He accomplished in Moshiach when He raised Him from the dead and made Him sit at His Right Hand in the heavenly places -- Ephesians 1:19–20.

YHVH’s Glory:
All the Attributes of YHVH can be summarized in Scripture's references to the Glory of YHVH. The Majesty, Splendour, Beauty, and brilliance of YHVH are expressed by this indefinable term. Human beings were created for YHVH's Glory, and we as believers are instructed to do everything for the Glory of YHVH. When every tongue confesses Yeshua as Adonai, it will be for the Glory of YHVH the Father.

YHVH is Our Creator:
In the beginning YHVH Created the Heavens and the Earth. -- Genesis 1:1. The creation story teaches us much about YHVH and ourselves. First, we learn about YHVH:

1 -- He is creative;
2 -- as the Creator He is distinct from His Creation;
3 -- He is Eternal and in control of the world.

We also learn about ourselves:

A -- since YHVH chose to Create us, we are valuable in his eyes;
B -- we are more important than the animals.

The simple statement that YHVH Created the Heavens and the Earth is one of the most challenging concepts confronting the modern mind. The vast galaxy we live in is spinning at the incredible speed of 490,000 miles an hour. But even at this breakneck speed, our galaxy still needs 200 million years to make one rotation. And there are over one billion other galaxies just like ours in the universe.

YHVH Has Created an Incredible Universe:
Some scientists say that the number of stars in creation is equal to all the grains of all the sands on all the beaches of the world. Yet this complex sea of spinning stars functions with remarkable order and efficiency. To say that the universe -- just happened -- or – evolved -- requires more faith than to believe that YHVH is behind these amazing statistics. YHVH truly did create a wonderful universe.

YHVH Created the Universe Out of Love:
Almost every ancient religion has its own story to explain how the earth came to be. And almost every scientist has an opinion on the origin of the universe. But only the Bible shows One Supreme Elohim Creating the earth out of His Great Love and giving all people a special place in it. We will never know all the answers to how YHVH Created the earth, but the Bible tells us that YHVH did Create it. That fact alone gives worth and dignity to all people. YHVH did not need to Create the Universe; He chose to Create it. Why? YHVH is Love, and love is best expressed toward something or someone else -- so YHVH Created the world and people as an expression of His Love. We should avoid reducing YHVH’s Creation to merely scientific terms. Remember that YHVH Created the universe because He Loves each of us.

Human Beings Are Evidence of YHVH’s Creativity:
In what ways are we made in YHVH’s Image? YHVH obviously did not Create us exactly like Himself, because YHVH has no Physical Body. Instead, we are reflections of YHVH’s Glory. Some feel that our reason, creativity, speech, or self-determination are the Image of YHVH. More likely, it is our entire self that reflects the Image of YHVH. We will never be totally like YHVH, because He is our Supreme Creator. But we do have the ability to reflect His Character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, and faithfulness. Knowing that we are made in YHVH’s Image and thus share many of His Characteristics, provides a solid basis for self-worth. Human worth is not based on possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness, or public acclaim. Instead, it is based on being made in YHVH’s Image. Because we bear YHVH’s Image, we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticizing or downgrading ourselves is criticizing what YHVH has made and the abilities He has given us. Knowing that you are a person of worth, helps you Love YHVH, know Him personally, and make a valuable contribution to those around you.

Recognizing YHVH as our Elohim is Our Most Basic Step of Faith:
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at YHVH’s Command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. -- Hebrews 11:3. YHVH called the universe into existence out of nothing; He declared that it was to be, and it was. Our faith is in the YHVH who Created the entire Universe by His Word. YHVH’s Word has Awesome Power. When He Speaks, do you listen and respond? How can you better prepare yourself to respond to YHVH’s Word?