Bible Doctrine Series-Adonai

Adonai (used 340 times in the Old Testament). This name denotes the master-owner idea of God. He is the owner and sovereign of each member of the human race (Genesis 15:1-2). Adonai is a plural Hebrew word usually written as “Lord” in most translations, means “Master or Lord”; it denotes ownership. Adonai is the one who must be obeyed. The Septuagint, a Greek Old Testament used during the days that the Lord Jesus Christ walked the earth, used the word kurios for it’s translation of Adonai—the same word the New Testament used in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ; it denotes not only the possessor and owner of all things but the absolute ruler over every other rank and relationship. The name implies that all those who submit to Him can enter Christ’s perfect rest, expecting to receive God’s direction, supervision, and provision. David was a man after God’s own heart. Though his life was not always above reproach, his heart was always tender before God and easily broken over his sin. His trust was firm and unshakable in his Lord. He respected the authorities the Lord established and though they threatened his life, his faith remained firm in his Lord as avenger. In adversity and in triumph, in pain and in pleasure, in understanding and in perplexity, in flight and in pursuit, in positions of submission and authority David’s praise pours forth in the Psalms to Adonai, his Lord.  His hope was placed in Adonai as he waited for Him (Psalm 39:7).  He saw Adonai as the sustainer of his soul—as the One to whom David looked to keep his soul from giving way when under trial or affliction (Psalm 54:4).  He saw Adonai as the source of his hope and confidence (Psalm 73:28).  He trusted Adonai to make his soul glad (Psalm 86:4).  He saw Adonai as good and ready to forgive. He saw Him as abundant in loving kindness (Psalm 86:5).  He chose to glorify Adonai forever (Psalm 86:12).  He saw Adonai as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, yet abundant in loving kindness and truth (Psalm 86:15).  He saw his Adonai as the strength of his salvation (Psalm 140:7). Isaiah saw Adonai sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted (Isaiah 6:1). The prophet heard Adonai asking for volunteers to speak to His people and answered the call (Isaiah 6:8). Ezekiel informs us of Israel’s permissive attitude in defiance of Adonai when they said, ‘The way of the Lord is not right’ (Ezekiel 18:25). How many in the church today live as though the information in Ezekiel’s statement about Israel were true, and look at the values of our society for verification? The Scriptures reveal part of the reason the church is lacking in spiritual power. Listen to Adonai’s response in the same verse to the people’s statement. Ezekiel 18:25 “Hear now, O house of Israel! Is my way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right?” The Lord Jesus in striking similarity asked this question in Luke 6:46 “And why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” It is essential that we recognize Adonai as absolute ruler over every authority in rank and relationship. It is He who is master over all. It is He who has established “right.” In a society filled with demands about individual rights, we can become deceived into thinking that those perceived rights overrule His ways that are right. Should we fall into that trap, we would be as wrong as were the people of Ezekiel’s day. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.