Why do I refer to God as JAH?
You may be wondering why I refer to God as JAH? Why FEARJAH.COM and not FEARGOD.COM? That's an easy one. And it's easy for two reasons. First of all, I assumed the domain name "feargod.com" was surely not available. I was correct. Secondly, it's an easy question to answer because when it comes to matters of faith, to matters of the Spirit, or when it comes to speaking about GOD, or thinking about GOD, or acting on behalf of GOD, my SOP is a simple one.
SOP is short for Standard Operating Procedure. I learned the term while serving in the military. SOPs are essential in the army because they provide step-by-step instructions to help ordinary, everyday soldiers carry out complex, yet routine duties. If a common, everyday soldier follows SOP, it creates a consistent performance, and hopefully a consistent reaction. And that's a good thing.
So if I'm asked anything about God or the Spirit world, here's my SOP: "What does the Bible say?" If I'm asked anything about angels, or the afterlife, or demons, or anything of a spiritual nature, my SOP is always the same: "What does the Bible say?" If I have questions about salvation or sanctification or damnation, my SOP is: "What does the Bible say?"
That's why this question about the name of GOD is an easy one, because I instantly go to my SOP: What does the Bible say regarding the name or names of GOD? In other words, is JAH a biblical name of God? Let's take a quick look at a few passages from the WORD:
I recommend reading Exodus 14 to put chapter 15 in proper context. I learned in Bible college that when it comes to properly interpreting the Bible, context is king. Exodus 14, the Red Sea episode, is great backstory to Exodus 15:1-3 (KJV), "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name." Biblical Name #1: LORD
And then we have Exodus 34:12-14, "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: but ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: for thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Biblical Name #2: Jealous
And then we have my favorite, Psalm 68:1-4, "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him." Biblical Name #3: JAH
In Psalm 83:18 we see, "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." Biblical Name #4: JEHOVAH.
In Isaiah 51:15 it states, "But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name." Biblical Name #5: LORD of hosts
So thus far we have five Biblical names of God: LORD, Jealous, JAH, JEHOVAH, and LORD of hosts. More can be found in the Bible and I respect them all! I'm good with any of them as long as they can be found in Holy Scripture. Which is why I feel my SOP: What does the Bible say? is serving me well in this case.
Since JAH is the author of Scripture, why not look to Scripture to see what name or names He gives for Himself? And who am I to discount a name that God has given for Himself in His Holy Word? God says Himself that His name is JAH. I like the name JAH. For some reason it resonates with me. But most importantly, it's Biblical. And that should be enough for all those who walk in the fear of the LORD.
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!