Definition:
‘Lord’ in Genesis 15:2 is the Hebrew word Adhonay (SC#136, a-do-NAI) the plural form of adon, (SC#113) which means proprietor,
master, lord, Lord (exclusively applied
to Jehovah God), owner, ruler, commander. (The Complete Word Study Old Testament, Spiros Zodhiates)
Adonai means Lord, Master, Owner and Supreme Ruler.
This name has a plural ending, which implies theTrinity, similar to "Elohim."
What does the name Adonai (Master) assure for the
believer? First, it assures that his God and Master has the resources and
ability to take care of him. Hence, the Christian slave trusts his Master for
these things. Second, it implies that help is available to carry out the
Christian’s duty as a servant. Finally, a servant of the Lord had the privilege
of calling upon his relationship with the Master to get the help that he needs. (My Father's Names, Elmer L. Towns, p. 119)
Foundation Scripture: Genesis 15:2 Abram prayed “Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah) what wilt thou
give me, seeing I go childless?”
(‘GOD’ in all capital letters is translated Jehovah, or Yahweh.)
God's Covenant with Abram
In Genesis 15, the LORD told
Abram not to be afraid, that he was his shield and very great reward. Abram addressed
the LORD as “O Lord Yahweh (Master/LORD) asking what he would give him since he still
had no heir. Earlier, The LORD had promised Abram descendants
and land, Genesis 12:2. Time was passing, and Abram was getting concerned about who would be his heir. The LORD assured him that he would have a son that would come from
his own body. The vast number of stars in the sky gave Abram a picture of how many offspring he would have.
Amazingly, in Genesis
15:6, “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited it to him as righteousness.” "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to you this land to take possession of it." (:7) Abram asked his Master/LORD how he would know that the land and descendants would be his. The LORD
told Abram to bring him a heifer, a goat and a ram, as well as a dove and a
pigeon. Abram cut the heifer, goat and ram in half, arranging the parts
opposite of each other, leaving a path to walk through. Darkness came and Abram
fell into a deep sleep. The LORD told him that his descendants would be slaves
for 400 years in a foreign nation. The LORD would punish that nation and
Abram’s descendants would leave with great possessions. Abram would live a long life. Then, a smoking firepot
with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the parts of the animals. (The
LORD took the form of the torch and firepot.) The LORD made a covenant with
Abram to give him the land and descendants. Only the LORD passed through the parts. Abram was not to pass through the parts. The Master made provision for Abram's part of the covenant. This covenant is known as the "Abrahamic Covenant," or the "Covenant of the Parts."
What I learned about the Covenant of Parts deeply astounded me and I will share this in Part Two.
Jesus ~ the perfect example of a servant.
Jesus is known as the "Suffering Servant," (Isaiah 53) he submitted to his Father's will in the Garden of Gethsemane, (Luke 22:42) he told Satan to worship and serve the Lord God only, (Matthew 4:10) he washed the feet of the disciples, (John 13:1-17) and he said that we were serving him when we served others, (Matthew 25:35.)- Here is my servant I have chosen, the one I love and delight in. I will put my Spirit on him, he will proclaim justice to nations. He won't quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope. Matthew 12:15-21, Isaiah 42:1-4
- During Jesus’ life, he offered prayers, petitions with loud cries, tears to the one who could save him from death-heard because of reverent submission. Although he was a son, learned obedience from what he suffered. Once made perfect, became source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. Designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-9
- Your attitude should be like Christ's, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, made himself nothing, taking on the nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself, became obedient to death-even death on a cross! God exalted him to highest place, gave him the name above every name, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, under the earth, every tongue confess Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
- Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves with same attitude-whoever suffers in body is done with sin. As a result, they don't live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2
- Rejoice as you participate in Christ's sufferings so you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:13
- I want to know Christ- know the power of his resurrection, participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:1-11
How did Jesus measure greatness?
- If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:24-25
- Greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12
- Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46
- Where I am, my servant will be also. John 12:26
- Do everything with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23
Heart attitudes of the servants of God
- Slaves obey earthly masters with respect, fear, sincere hearts, wholeheartedly, as serving Christ, not men. He will reward you, whether slave or free. Ephesians 6:5-8
- Now the man Moses was very meek. Numbers 12:3
- I (Paul) served the Lord with great humility and tears Acts 20:19
- God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son. Romans 1:9
- I (Paul) make myself a slave to everyone (1 Corinthians 9:19, Romans 1:1)
- Anna, prophetess, widow-served God with fasting and prayer night and day. Luke 2:37
- I (Mary) am the Lord’s servant….May it be to me as you have said…Luke 1:3
- Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating, drinking, but righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit. To serve Christ this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14:17-18
- Since we are receiving a kingdom that can't be shaken, be thankful, worship (KJV-serve) God acceptably with reverence, awe, our God is a consuming fire. Heb. 12:28-29
- Lord’s servant must not quarrel, must be kind. 2 Timothy 2:24
- Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
Submitting ourselves to Adonai, our Lord and Master
Prayer of submission: We thank you that we are no longer slaves to sin, but righteousness. We
are now reaping the benefits that lead to holiness, resulting in eternal life.
We acknowledge you today as Adonai, our Lord and Master. We are your
bondservants. You paid a very high price for us. We re-commit and submit every area of our
lives to you.
- Ourselves ~ Submit to God. Resist devil, he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:7-8
- Minds ~ Be made new in the attitude of your minds, put on new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:23-24
- Hearts ~ Jesus answered, “The most important commandment is: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There's no greater commandment. Mk 12:29-31
- Words ~ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, to become blameless, pure, children of God without fault in a crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16
- Actions ~ Don't just listen to word, deceiving yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but doesn't do it is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, leaves, immediately forgets what he looks like. He who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-is blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25
- Bodies ~ Your body-a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you-whom you received from God. You are not your own-bought with a price. Honor God with your body. .James 1:22 See also Romans 21:1
The blessings of being a servant
- Let your face shine on your servant. Psalm 31:16
- The LORD redeems his servants. Psalm 34:22
- Jesus told servants to fill the jars with water at wedding in Cana….John 2:7-9
- Well done, good, faithful servant: you've been faithful over a few things, enter into the joy of your Lord. Matthew 25:21 Is there any doubt you will hear these words?
- No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb of God will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Revelation 22:3
Next Blog:
Personal Applications for Adonai, Lord and Master
