Bwana Yangu- My Lord

Juzi. Ama ni jana? I think ni juzi. Yes, it was juzi. Thursday. 😂


A friend was shocked to discover that “God” is not a name but a title.


We were discussing some New Testament texts and happened to land on Jesus referring to Satan as the “ruler of this world” in John 12:31. Elsewhere, in 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul actually refers to Satan as “the god of this age.” Some translations use “prince” or “ruler” in passages like these, which can make the conversation less obvious, but it is still worth asking: why can Satan be referred to as a “god”?


Yes. God is a title, not a personal name. That is why Scripture often substantiates which God we are talking about—God of heaven, God of Israel, Creator of heaven and earth, and so on. The same applies to “Lord” (Bwana in Swahili).


Sarah, for instance, referred to Abraham as her lord (1 Peter 3:6). I know when we say Bwana yangu in Swahili, we rarely stop to realize that we have just called the man a “lord.” Which, apparently, is what men are supposed to be. Lords of the ladies. 😉😂

Jesus mostly referred to God as Father. He also taught His disciples to address Him that way: “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father...’”


In His earthly nature, Jesus carried the name Jesus the Christ—the Anointed One. And throughout Scripture, writers often identify God with additional descriptions: the God of heaven and earth, the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of Israel, and many others.


So, in our bid to discover who this God of the Bible actually is, it is important to have this at the back of our minds. We should not merely say “God” and assume everyone means the same being. We need to substantiate Him—to identify which God we are talking about, what He is like, where His authority lies, and, ultimately, His name.


Isaiah is on a roll when it comes to substantiating the God he is talking about. He uses a number of titles and descriptions repeatedly:

• The Holy One of Israel — Isaiah uses this title about 25 times.

• The LORD of Hosts — the Lord of the armies. “Hosts” refers to the heavenly armies and carries the sense of an immense multitude.

• The Lord GOD — emphasizing His position as Sovereign Master.

• Creator, Maker and Former — the One who formed Israel and all creation. (Sio foreman. 😂)

• Redeemer, Savior and King — especially in chapters 40–66, God is portrayed as the One who will rescue and ransom His people.

• Mighty God — the famous prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 calls Him *El Gibbor*, Mighty God. The title also carries the picture of strength and victory.

• Father, Shepherd and Husband — Isaiah uses relational imagery to reveal who God is: Father in Isaiah 63:16 and 64:8, Shepherd in the way He leads His people, and Husband in His covenant relationship with Israel.


Isaiah doesn't simply tell us that God exists.


He keeps telling us who this God is and that is an important posture for us as we continue this journey. We are not merely trying to know about a God. We are trying to discover the God whom Scripture is actually revealing. The book of revelation will show us how He will be revealed to our eyes. In the meantime He's been revealed to our hearts. That's why the call is to believe IN OUR HEARTS that Jesus Christ is Lord.


That's where we are in our journey through the Old Testament this year. Do you believe in your heart?


How's the journey going on your end?

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