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Jehovah Rohi: Examining the Names of God

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Today we are going to take a look at Jehovah Rohi as we continue our series on exploring the names of God, (See Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi and Jehovah Elohim).

What Does Jehovah Rohi Mean?

Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord”, and also often read or seen as Jehovah Raah,  The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known” – this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rô’eh from which Raah derived, means “shepherd” in Hebrew. A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture, shepherd or feed and to supply with food. (Ezekiel 34:11-15).

An extended translation of this word, rea’ , is “friend” or “companion.” This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined – Jehovah Raah – it can be translated as The Lord my Friend. God is a friend who provides extravagant nourishment, protection, as well as rest for our weary bodies and souls.

We can also find Jehovah Rohi or Jehovah Raah in Psalms 23:1, Genesis 48:15, Genesis 49:24, and Psalm 80:1.

A man standing on a hill at sunset with his arms stretched out to Heaven and a text overlay that says Examining the Names of God - Jehovah Rohi, God is Our Shepherd

Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
(Psalms 80:1)
Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth

Oh, how I love Psalm 23! I find such peace in the promises that King David wrote about our Heavenly King!

You can find everything that you are looking for about The Names of God and Why We Should Study and Pray Them, as well as in-depth studies on each of the 9 names of God we cover (Adonai, Abba, Jehovah Jireh, and many more) It includes a video and additional downloads. 73 pages.

cover of ebook 9 names of God

I came across this post from David Wilkerson and wanted to share: “Jehovah Rohi is not some benign, passive shepherd. He isn’t a hireling—someone who does little more than provide food and guidance. He doesn’t merely point us toward the grassy pasture and pools of water, and say, “There’s what you need. Go and get it.” Nor does he turn a blind eye to our needs. He doesn’t run the other way when he hears our cries for help and sees us in trouble.

No, he knows every pain we endure, every tear we shed, every hurt we feel. He knows when we’re too weary to go another step. He knows just how much we can take. Most of all, he knows how to rescue us and bring us to a place of healing.

Time after time, our shepherd comes after us, fetches us and takes us to a place of rest. He continually makes us lie down for a time of healing and restoration. Jehovah Rohi — the Lord our shepherd—is compelling us to follow him into his rest, so that he might “shekinah” in our midst.

Jehovah Rohi 2 corinthians 12_9

The Lord says in Exodus 29:45, “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.” The Hebrew word for dwell here is shekinah, meaning “to abide by, or to settle down beside.” This word signifies not just a passing presence, but a permanent one—a presence that never leaves. In short, the shekinah glory of God is not a vanishing imprint that disappears from our hearts like invisible ink. No, it’s something God imprints permanently on our soul. It’s his very near and eternal presence.

The picture here is glorious: Our shepherd offers to come to us in the midst of our pain and depressed condition, and to sit by our side. He promises to bind up our wounds and strengthen the parts of us that have become sick and diseased.” Jehovah Rohi is the only one with the power to heal and lead us.

Isaiah 40:10-11
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

HE KNOWS us! He knows what we need before we do! He protects us, His lambs. Like a loving Father, he reminds us when we need to rest our bodies and our souls and wants us to rest in Him!


He is always with us! He never leaves us! No matter how bleak your circumstances, HE is right there with you. Don’t ever forget that a shepherd never leaves his sheep.
Isn’t that incretdibly comforting?

Ezekiel 34:11-12

“‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

We’ve all been a “lost sheep” at some point or another. God has always been a faithful shepherd to us, our Jehovah Rohi. As followers of Christ, we bask in the love of our Savior. It is a wonderful feeling to know that He will never leave us behind. He will always care for us.

Jehovah Raah Psalms 100_3

 

Jehovah Rohi Has Total Responsibility for His Sheep

God will take total responsibility over any sheep (believers) that come under His care. We like sheep go astray (Isaiah 53:6), and need the careful guidance of our divine Shepherd.

Jehovah Rohi will:

  1. Take care of His sheep (Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 31:10) Our Shepherd will tend His flock. He gathers us in His arms. He gently leads the lambs.

How does He care for us?

  • He feeds us (Ezekiel 34:15). His Word is our spiritual food. We need to feast on Him.
  • He cares for us (Ezekiel 34:11-12).
  • He seeks those who are astray (Ezekiel 34:16).
  • He binds those who are broken (Ezekiel 34:16).

2)  Know His sheep (John 10:14)
Remember our divine Shepherd knows us by name.

3) Walk through the valleys with His sheep (Psalm 23:4)

4) Lead you into peace (Psalm 23:2)

5) Restore our souls (Psalm 23:3)

Restoration comes when we are troubled. Many times we are ready to give up and quit. Our Shepherd comes to renew and restore us.

6) Protect us from evil (Psalm 23:4)

Our shepherd protects us when the devil, the world, and the flesh try to destroy our walk with God.

7) Discipline His sheep (Hebrews 12:5-8)

Sometimes the shepherd would have to break a leg of a sheep in order to remind it to stay close to the flock. The breaking was out of love and protection.

As His Sheep we need to:

  1. Listen
  2. Obey
  3. Follow
  4. Stay close to our Shepherd.

Do you know of a “lost sheep” in your life? Someone at work or school? A parent of one of your children’s friends? Someone you know online? How can you share Jehovah Rohi with them?

Reach out to them, share God’s promises with them or perhaps, invite them to church. An encouraging word or deed can demonstrate God’s love to others.

What lost sheep can you share God’s love with?

Psalms 100:3
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture

Did you already know of the name of God, Jehovah Rohi? Did you learn anything new about our Jehovah Rohi?

You may enjoy this brief video explaining Jehovah Rohi (or Jehovah Raah) by Pastor Tony Evans:


 

For more study on the names of God, consider one of these recommended resources:

Jehovah Rohi: Examining the Names of God 1
Jehovah Rohi: Examining the Names of God 2

Jehovah Rohi: Examining the Names of God 3Jehovah Rohi: Examining the Names of God 4
Because of Him,

Sue

 
 

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