Knowing YHWH In An Intimate Way
Exodus 34:6-7

INTRODUCTION:

1. Do you know YHWH in an intimate way? It is possible that we can go through this life obeying YHWH and His commandments, but yet not have an intimate relationship with Him.

2. Moses, in the beginning of his ministry, had this type of relationship with YHWH.

In Exodus 33:12-13

a. At that point in Moses’ life, he had obeyed YHWH’s instructions. For example:

(1) He had delivered the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.
(2) He had helped the Israelites pass through the Red Sea.
(3) He had led the Israelites to Mount Sinai where YHWH gave them the Ten Commandments.

b. Moses had obeyed YHWH’s instructions, but yet, he still did not know YHWH in an intimate way.

The sad truth to this story is that some believers today still follow YHWH’s commands and instructions, but yet do not know Him in a personal and intimate way.

YHWH is going to introduce himself to us so that we may have a more intimate relationship with him.


Exodus 34:5-7

From this passage, YHWH reveals himself in a personal way.

I would like to share three wonderful characteristics of YHWH that I hope will help us better understand YHWH which will help us develop a more intimate relationship with him.

I. FIRST, TO KNOW YHWH IN AN INTIMATE WAY, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YHWH IS A COMPASSIONATE AND GRACIOUS YHWH.

1. The Psalmist expressed it best in Ps. 145:7-9

ILLUSTRATION:

In 1975 a child named Raymond Dunn, Jr., was born in New York State. The Associated Press reports that at his birth, a skull fracture and oxygen deprivation caused severe retardation. As Raymond grew, the family discovered further impairments. His twisted body suffered up to twenty seizures per day. He was blind, mute, and immobile. He had severe allergies that limited him to only one food: A meat-based formula made by Gerber Foods.

In 1985, Gerber stopped making the formula that Raymond lived on. Carol Dunn scoured the country to buy what stores had in stock, accumulating cases and cases, but in 1990 her supply ran out. In desperation, she appealed to Gerber for help. Without this particular food, Raymond would starve to death.

The employees of the company listened. In an unprecedented action, volunteers donated hundreds of hours to bring out old equipment, set up production lines, obtain special approval from the USDA, and produce the formula—all for one special boy.

In January 1995, Raymond Dunn, Jr, known as the Gerber boy, died from his physical problems. But during his brief lifetime he called forth a wonderful thing called compassion.

2. YHWH has the kind of compassion for us as the Gerber company had for this boy. YHWH looks down upon us with care, and concern, and He will do everything in His power to help us.

3. YHWH is a compassionate and merciful!

a. He is so compassionate that when we sin and ask for forgiveness, He forgives us.

b. He is so compassionate that He heals our illnesses.

c. He is so compassionate that He blesses us with food, shelter, and jobs.

4. Words cannot express how great YHWH is.

James 5:11

This week why don’t you focus on YHWH’s compassion and mercy? Go to Him in prayer and thank Him for being so wonderful to you.

II. SECOND, TO KNOW YHWH IN AN INTIMATE WAY, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YHWH IS SLOW TO ANGER.

1. Some people think that YHWH is quick to become angry with us when we make a mistake. However, the truth is that when we make a mistake, YHWH is patient with us and slow to anger.

The scriptures say in Ps. 103:8-11

2. YHWH is not like us. When we get angry our natural inclination is to get even. Retaliate with vengeance. However, YHWH is not that way at all. In fact, YHWH is a loving Elohim who is slow to anger who does not treat us as our sins deserve.

III. THIRD, TO KNOW YHWH IN AN INTIMATE WAY, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT YHWH IS ABOUNDING IN LOVE.

1. The greatest act of love that YHWH has shown us is when He sent His son Messiah to die on the cross for our sins.

John 3:16-17

2. No greater act of love has ever been demonstrated than when Messiah gave His life in order to save ours. It is through His blood that we have forgiveness of our sins, which enables us to be reconciled to YHWH and have a relationship with Him. If you want to know about love, then look to the cross.

ILLUSTRATION:

Jason Tuskes was a 17-year-old high school honor student. He was close to his mother, his wheelchair-bound father, and his younger brother. Jason was an expert swimmer who loved to scuba dive.

One Tuesday morning, Jason left home to explore a spring and underwater cave near his home in west central Florida.

While scuba diving, Jason became lost in the cave. Then, in his panic, he apparently got wedged into a narrow passageway. When he realized he was trapped, he shed his yellow metal air tank and unsheathed his diver’s knife. With the tank as a tablet and the knife as a pen, he wrote one last message to his family: I love you mom, dad, and Christine. Then he ran out of air and drowned.

3. YHWH's final words to us are etched on a Roman cross. They are blood red, and they scream to be heard. They, too, say, "I love you."

The scriptures say Rom. 5:8

4. Aren’t you glad that YHWH is so loving? The Bible says that YHWH is love in 1 John 4:8

CONCLUSION:

1. If you do not have an intimate relationship with YHWH then it is probably because you don’t know Him very well.

2. YHWH has introduced Himself to us. He has made known to us His goodness. He personally proclaimed Himself to us.

Exodus 34:5-7

3. YHWH has introduced Himself to us. He has shown us who He is. It is my prayer that you have gotten to know Him better so that you will have a more intimate relationship with Him.