Hallowed Be Your Name

What’s in a name? Perhaps not much—unless the name belongs to God! That is what you pray about in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9.

God reveals himself to you through his name. The names of God are important. This was true of people; Abram/Abraham (father of a multitude), Sarai/Sarah (Princess), Jacob/Israel (prince of God), Simon/Peter (rock). Phineas’ wife named their son Ichabod (the glory is departed). God’s name is not merely a label, but stands for God himself.

So, listen to the names of God. ‘El (translated “God”) views God as the Mighty One. ‘El-Shaddai is God Almighty, Genesis 17:1. ‘Elohim is a plural, and refers to God in the fullness of his power, one of the most commonly used names for God in the Old Testament. ‘Elyon is the Most High, Genesis 14:19. ‘Adonai,or Lord, addresses God as Master. Jehovah or YHWH is God’s special, covenant name. The name means, “I am who I Am,” Exodus 3:14. The name stresses God’s unchangeable covenant faithfulness to his people, Malachi 3:6. This name is used in combinations: “YHWH of Hosts,” Psalm 46:7; “YHWH Our Righteousness,” Jeremiah 23:6; “YHWH will Provide,” Genesis 22:14; “YHWH my Banner,” Exodus 17:15; “YHWH Heals You,” Exodus 15:26, “YHWH Is Peace,” Judges 6:24; and “YHWH is my Shepherd,” Psalm 23:1. “Father” reveals God’s loving character. Israel was God’s son, Hosea 11:1. The New Testament speaks of God as the Father of Jesus Christ, and as your Father, as you trust in Jesus. Though the Father is addressed here, the other persons of the Trinity are not to be excluded from the reverence required. Hebrews emphasizes the name “Son,” referring to the Second Person of the Trinity, but who also became man to become your redeemer. In a setting which saw Jesus as somewhere on a spectrum of beings ranging from God, down through the angels, to mankind, Hebrews reminds you of Christ’s uniqueness. His name as Son is above all the angelic beings, because he is God himself. He is the ultimate revelation of the Father.

“There is an intimate link between God and his name. According to Scripture, this link too is not accidental or arbitrary but forged by God himself. We do not name God; he names himself…. By proper names, particularly by the name YHWH, God made himself known to Israel. He revealed himself to Israel by the angel in whom the Lord’s name was present (Exod. 23:20). And by him he put his name on the children of Israel (Num. 6:27), caused his name to be remembered (Exod. 20:24), put his name among them and made it to dwell there (Deut. 12:5; 14:23), especially in the temple that was built for his name (2 Sam. 7:13)…. In the New Testament God’s name acquires an even richer and deeper meaning. For the Logos, who was in the beginning with God and is in the bosom of the Father, has made him known (John 1:18) and revealed his name (John 17:6, 26). Since no one knows the Father except the Son, only those to whom the Son reveals the Father gain knowledge of God (Matt. 11:27). Those who confess the Son have the Father also (1 John 2:23).”

Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2, p. 98

Since God’s names are that important, hold God’s name in reverence. Honor God. “Hallow” is an old-fashioned word that means to treat has holy, to consider sacred. It is something very special, not ordinary. You need to come to God with sincerity and reverence. This prayer requires more than lip service to a name. Many are known by the name “Christian,” but their lives deny it. This prayer requires more than an intellectual knowledge of God’s various names. Praise and glorify God. You need humility of spirit and gratitude of heart. (Remember who is it you are approaching!) Carefully study God’s revelation of himself in his Word, and learn all you can of his majesty from the creation. Recognize his love in the protection, care, and provision he provides you — and even in his wrath against his and your enemies. Praise him for blotting out the transgression of his people.

Let everyone praise the Lord. The prayer is inclusive. It means that you do not take God’s name in vain. That is increasingly important in the profane world in which we live. Positively, it calls the entire creation to glorify God. Honor God’s name as you enjoy the majesty of his creation around you. (How can Oregon and Washington have such low church attendance figures?!?) Glorify God as you ponder the unmeasurable depths of God’s love in choosing you and in sending his own Son for you, Romans 11:33ff. This prayer is urgent. The position of the verb in the phrase underlines that.

“When you come to God, says our Lord, in effect, even though you may be in desperate conditions and circumstances, it may be with some great concern on your mind and in your heart; even then, He says, stop for a moment and just recollect and realize this, that your greatest desire of all should be that this wonderful God, who has become your Father in and through Me, should be honoured, should be worshipped, should be magnified amongst the people ‘Hallowed be thy name.’”

Martin Lloyd Jones, The Sermon on the Mount, Vol. 2, p. 61

How can you hallow God’s name this week? Have zero tolerance for anything that profanes God’s name. Speak to an unbelieving neighbor or friend, telling him who God is and what he has done in Jesus Christ. Sing God’s praises with his people. Structure your life so that honor and praise, not shame, comes to God’s name this week.

Christ wants you to pray the Lord’s Prayer—and then to live this week in a way that will hallow his Father’s name.