THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME

Psalm 80:17-19 -- Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

The phrase "למען שמו" (lema’an shemo) appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "for His name's sake" or "for the sake of His name." It signifies actions or interventions by God that are motivated by the desire to uphold or glorify His name, emphasizing His character, reputation, and sovereignty.

Psalm 23:3 - "He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Psalm 106:8 - "Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power."

Psalm 109:21 - "But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name's sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!"

Psalm 143:11 - "For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!"

Isaiah 48:9 - "For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off."

Jeremiah 14:7 - "Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you."

Jeremiah 14:21 - "Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us."

Ezekiel 20:9 - "But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt."

Ezekiel 20:14 - "But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out."

Ezekiel 20:22 - "But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out."

Ezekiel 20:44 - "And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord God."

Ezekiel 36:22 - "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came."

These verses emphasize that God acts "for His name's sake" to uphold His holiness, glory, and reputation, often in the face of human sin or unfaithfulness. 

SO POWERFUL IS HIS NAME THAT GOD GAVE US A COMMANDMENT CONCERNING HIS NAME!

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7)

The 3rd commandment warns against using God’s name in vain, which includes irreverent, deceitful, or hypocritical speech or actions that dishonor His name. The verse emphasizes that God "will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name."

The principle of the 3rd Commandment is rooted in the holiness and reverence of God’s name. 

The Hebrew phrase "לא תשא את־שם־יהוה אלהיך לשוא" (lo tisa et-shem-YHWH eloheicha lashav) translates to "You shall not carry the name of the Lord your God for nothingness" or "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God." 

God's name must not be misused in "empty," "worthless" ways.  This commandment forbids using God’s name in a frivolous, disrespectful, or deceitful manner. 

It Stands To Reason 

In the Christian bible, Yeshua Hamashiach was "His Name" in the flesh. It stands to reason Yeshua would apply the concept of למען שמו (lema’an shemo) in powerful scriptures. 

Jesus explicitly spoke about "using His name" in ways that align with the concept of "למען שמו" (lema’an shemo), "for His name's sake"

Here are the verses where Jesus explicitly spoke about "using His name":

John 14:13-14 --"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

John 15:16 -- "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you."
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John 16:23-24 -- "In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

Mark 16:17-18 -- "And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

These verses highlight the authority, power, and purpose associated with using Jesus’ name.

Power In the Name

These verses emphasize the power, authority, and salvation found in the name of Jesus:

Acts 4:12 -- "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Jesus’ name is the only source of salvation.

Philippians 2:9-11 -- "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Romans 10:13 -- "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" 

Colossians 3:17 -- "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.".

The Great Commission 

With the advent of the "Great Commission," Jesus sent his disciples to spread the "Good News" of the risen savior and to proclaim his name! You could say that Jesus sent them out "למען שמו" (lema’an shemo) "for His name's sake."

Matthew 28:19 -- "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

ISN'T IT INTERESTING 

Jews avoid saying or acknowledging the name of Jesus.  We give theological and cultural reasons. The name Yeshu (used in the Talmud) is often interpreted as a derogatory acronym meaning "May his name and memory be obliterated."  

For a Jew, hearing a Christian end a prayer "in the name of Jesus" is a very uncomfortable feeling, at best. 

As a Jew, getting my mind around the Christian concept of "the name" was extremely difficult. Ironically, there is a clue in Judaism's central prayer, the Shema. 

Deuteronomy 6:4  Hear O Israel, YHVH our God is ONE (Echad). 

Study "echad" to see what I mean.

CONCLUSION

By not saying His name, the irony is that Jews are implicitly saying there is power in the name and the effect of calling on His name. Thus, aligning His name with the scriptures.