52 Week Journey

Week 28 · Day 7: The Names of God

The Name Above Every Name

The names of God converge on the name given to Jesus.

What the labels mean
Scripture explicitly says
This states what the biblical text itself says, in the passage being read.
Direct quotation or allusion
One part of Scripture quotes or clearly alludes to another. The citing reference is named so you can check it.
Canonical theme
A connection across the whole Bible. The passages develop the same theme; one is not quoting the other.
Interpretive conclusion
A conclusion drawn from the text. The reasoning is given so you can weigh it against the passage.
Application
A step, prayer or question for the reader. Not a claim about what the passage states.

Today’s verse

Loading Philippians 2:9-10…

Today’s focus

The truth of the day

Scripture explicitly says

The week's names have moved through self-existence, sight, provision, armies, shepherding, and holiness. Paul's letter to the Philippians describes the Son emptying Himself, taking the form of a servant, and being obedient to death on a cross, and then being given the name above every name in response.

Scripture explicitly says

The passage that follows in verse 11 has every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, using the same title, Lord, that the Old Testament used to render the covenant name Yahweh. The names of the God of Israel are not left behind in the New Testament; they are gathered up and confessed of the risen Christ.

Today’s reminder

Scripture explicitly says
  • Christ's exaltation follows His humiliation, not instead of it.
  • Confessing Jesus as Lord uses covenant language, not a new and separate title.
  • Every knee bowing includes those under the earth, not only the willing.

Deeper insight

What the passage says in its own setting

Scripture explicitly says

The hymn in Philippians 2:6-11 moves in two great movements: descent, from equality with God to death on a cross in verses 6-8, and ascent, from exaltation to universal confession in verses 9-11. The shape of the passage places the giving of the name after the depth of the humiliation, not apart from it.

Scripture explicitly says

Isaiah 45:23 is the passage Paul draws on for the language of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing, and there it is the LORD who speaks those words of Himself. Paul applies that same declaration to Jesus, joining the confession of Christ as Lord to the worship due to the God of Israel.

Christ connection

Where this leads to Jesus

Canonical theme

The whole week's study of God's names arrives here: the God who is, who sees, who provides, who commands armies, who shepherds, and who is holy, is confessed in Philippians 2:11 as Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

Reflection

Application

What would it look like this week to bow to the name of Jesus in an area where you have been resisting His lordship?

Today’s action

Application

Say aloud today, in your own words, that Jesus Christ is Lord, and name one specific area of life you are placing under that lordship.

Today’s prayer

Application

Lord Jesus, You humbled Yourself to the point of death and were given the name above every name. I bow before You now, willingly, and confess You as Lord to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Another layer

Keep going into the library

  • Everything on Attributes of God in the library