HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL
HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
In 2020, I remember people were expectantly hoping 2021 would be a better year. But alas, we as a nation are under even greater threats to our health, prosperity, security and safety. Throughout the bible, during times of national evil, apostasy and subsequent judgment resulting in servitude, the people would cry out to God, He would hear their cry. He would raise up a man (ish-leader) to deliver and save them from their enemies. Then He would deliver them back to God’s blessings.
When there was no “man,” the LORD by visitation brings forth such a man. Such is the epic of the visitation of the Angel of the Lord in Judges, chapter 13 to the wife of Manoah of the family of the Danites. That the visitation of the Angel of the Lord is given to a barren woman (13:3) calls to mind Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth. This is a story of supernatural intervention by Him whose name is “Wonderful.”
We have been studying the names of God on Sunday evening. All of the redemptive names of God have been fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ and will be fulfilled in the glorious, overcoming, corporate Body of Christ, the Church.
Mt. 1:22-23: The angel of the LORD (Gabriel) appeared unto Joseph…saying…fear not…your wife, Mary, shall bring forth a son, you shall call His name, JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins…Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name, Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
“The birth-pangs of the ages are upon us. We are at the apex of the ages. The Father is heading up in Christ all things in Heaven and on earth. When Jesus died on the cross, the earth convulsed and shook at the thought of holding its Creator. Now, He is shaking everything. Tribulation means “pressure.” We are under the influence of the pressure of the ages – God is birthing a corporate people in the image of the Pattern Son” (Kelly Varner).
This past week our focus has been on the Supreme Court and the nine justices as they consider the 20-week Mississippi abortion law. As it would happen, my bible reading has been in the Book of Judges, which is the story of twelve judges chosen and anointed by God to deliver and rule over His nation. The time of the judges covers approximately 400 years from the death of Joshua to the death of
Samson.
When I heard the argument of Justice Sotomayor this week, I was grieved. My bible reading of the day was Jephthah. Even though, he was chosen by God to lead Israel against the Ammonites, he made a false vow, rendering a false justice and false judgment (Jdg. 11). The LORD quickened to me that Justice Sotomayor has the spirit of Jephthah.
When the Spirit of the Lord came upon these judges, they did mighty exploits in the name of the LORD for His Kingdom purposes. Each one had imperfections, but were forerunners of the Kingdom of God.
As we come into the Christmas Season, and we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Savior, and Deliverer, Jesus Christ, I believe He has heard the cry of the Church. I believe we can say like, Gideon, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, where are all His miracles? The Lord answered Gideon, “Go in this might of yours…have I not sent you? (Jdg. 6:13-14). The principle of the judge is a type of the apostolic ministry of the New Testament Church. The apostle is one who is sent forth as a messenger and is fully authorized to represent the name he bears. “Go in this might of yours…have I not sent you?
I believe we are coming into a season where the LORD has heard our cry and mighty miracles will be done in the church. Let us expect miracles and look for them. The warfare has ended.
He told Manoah, MY NAME IS WONDERFUL!
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s un-named wife to instruct her that she would conceive and bear a son by the will and purpose of God. No razor was to be upon his head. He would be a Nazarite to God from the womb. This is a call of separation unto the LORD. He shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. She told her husband that the Angel’s countenance was “terrible” or awe-inspiring. Manoah requested a second visitation and Jehovah obliged. The Angel repeated the instructions given during the first visit. This was the charge to the parents to raise up the child in the way in which he should go. “Order” is the principle of preparation of parenthood for the call of God for Kingdom destiny. This is true for families and for churches.
Manoah asked the Angel his name.
Judges 13:18-20: The Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful? (“Pil’I”) wonderful, incomprehensible, extraordinary, remarkable, supernatural. So, Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD. And He did a wondrous (pala) thing while Manoah and his wife looked on. It happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.
Pala – wondrous – beyond one’s power, difficult to understand, to be wonderful, extraordinary, marvelous, to show oneself wonderful.
“Pil’I” is only used one other time in the Word of God. Psalm 139 has been described as the “Too Wonderful Psalm.”
Psa. 139:6 (KJV): Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psa. 139:6 (PT): This is just too wonderful, deep and incomprehensible! Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength.
David is describing the thoughts of God which are toward man; and God’s perfect knowledge of man. He is over-come by the omniscience and omnipresence of God. His worship is to our Creator-Redeemer, Jehovah, self-existent, eternal, one true God. He speaks to The God Who is there! The conception of an intimate, personal relationship between God and man is perhaps more remarkable and forceful in this Psalm than any other.
The K.J.V. interprets “Pil’I” as “secret.” N.K.J.V. and other translations use the full definition of “Wonderful.” He is the all-seeing God, all-present God, all-creative God and the all-Holy God. Man is beset and compassed about by God, pervaded by His Spirit, unable to take a step without His fore-knowledge. Yet, the personality of man is distinct from, not absorbed in, Deity; having been given a free-will.
Jerusalem Bible: “Such knowledge is beyond my understanding, a height to which my mind cannot attain.” This explains the translation of “secret.” His name of “Wonderful” is beyond human comprehension.
“Pala” (Wondrously) is used 71 times in the Bible to describe the LORD’s great acts.
Psa. 136:4: To him alone who does great wonders; for his mercy endures forever.
“Pele” – “Wonderful.” Isa. 9: 6-7: For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful (Pele), Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His Government and Peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
THE ANGEL DID WONDROUSLY.
To fulfill a vow (Lev. 22:21; Num. 15: 3, 8). Menoah and his wife gave an offering acceptable to the Lord upon a rock, a kid without spot or blemish and a meal offering. The Lord received the offering by fire and ascended.
The Offering:
- The Kid --- crucifixion (burnt offering)
- Meal – Resurrection.
- Ascension – the flame.
The rock = Kingdom of God = Upon this rock I will build my Church.
The angel did wondrously and the flame went up from the altar (the Rock) and the Angel of the LORD ascended in it.
Jdg. 13:24: The woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
All this typifies Jesus’ finished work.
Jesus has done wondrously to bring the revelation of the deliverance and healing of the creation; and the Glory of His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
His name is wonderful; His name is wonderful
His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord
He is the mighty King; Master of everything
Bow down before Him; Love and adore Him
His name is wonderful; Jesus my Lord
He’s the great Shepherd;
The Rock of all ages
Almighty God is He
Written by: Audrey Mieir Published by: Manna Music, Inc
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Ministries Church
Scripture from K.J.V.; N.K.J.V; and PT. I entered into the labors of Kelly Varner. Lyrics by Audrey Mieir; Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I have entered into their labors.