I would like to take some time now to better understand God,
so our faith can flourish, by looking at bible verses that declare/describe God
to be the “God of” something. What that
something is, or rather what those somethings are, as there are many, is what
this study will help you come to know. I hope it will draw attention to aspects
of God that you may not have known or focused on and also refresh your heart’s
appreciation for the ones you may already be familiar with.
Let’s begin with “God of hosts” as it is the most used “God of…” phrase in the Bible, appearing
40 times in the Old Testament, 9 of which are found in Amos. It is often
written as “LORD God of hosts,” “Lord GOD of hosts,” a few times as “the
LORD, the God of hosts,” and twice as “O God of hosts” (in Psalm 80:7, 14).
Side notes: The term “LORD of hosts” is used 245 times
in the Old Testament, but we will limit our study to only the mentions of “God
of…” in the Bible. Also, both “God of hosts” and “LORD of hosts” are phrases only
found in the Old Testament.
God declared Himself to be “the LORD, whose name is the God
of hosts” (Amos 5:27), so what exactly does it mean? Who are the “hosts”?
Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance/Hebrew Dictionary shows “hosts” (in every instance we
are looking at) to be the Hebrew word: tseba’ah (H6635) This word, tseba’ah, is
from the primitive word ‘tsaba’ (H6633*)
and means ‘a mass of persons (or figurative things),
especially regularly organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically hardship, worship): - appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service,
soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).’
*tsaba (H6633) to mass (an army or servants) assemble, fight, perform, muster,
wait upon, war
This term draws our attention to God’s power and authority.
He is able to do what He has said.
He has a host at His command and servants ready and waiting to obey His
command. He is almighty and He will accomplish all that He has declared!
“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be
held in reverence by all those around Him. O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty
like You, O LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.” (Psalm 89:7-8 NKJV)
We can see the term “God of hosts” and leave it at that,
just a term, but let your mind dwell on that for a moment. Considering it is
like looking up into the night sky. You look up and see maybe a handful of
stars at first, but then as you continue to look and your eyes adjust, more
stars seem to come out of nowhere, tiny points of light suddenly fill what was
moments ago simply a canopy of darkness and your mind fills with wonder as more
and more stars continue to come into view.
Grab your Bible and turn to 2 Kings 6:14-17 where the King
of Syria was making war against Israel. The prophet, Elisha, had a servant who
was quite anxious about the enemy’s army surrounding them and so Elisha prayed that
the LORD might open the young man’s eyes to the truth of the matter, then told
him, “Do
not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who with them” (v16). What did he see when the LORD opened his eyes? “…behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all
around Elisha” (v17).
This is our God,
the very God we serve. He is the LORD God of hosts! ‘With God
you are the majority’ is not a platitude, but the plain truth. He is the God of
hosts. You can trust that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!
We have no need to fear any person, for with our God, the God of hosts, we are
more than conquerors (Romans 8:31-37, be
sure to read this reference – it is SO good!)!!
God is able. He is the God of hosts, a description
of ultimate power, ability, and capability – vast, untold resources and might –
this is the God you serve! Do you trust
Him? Are your eyes opening to His magnitude? Pray that they might be so
that you can confidently put on His armour each day and stand strong in Him and
in the power of His might (Ephesians
6:10-18), knowing without doubt that the very God of hosts surrounds you!
You can do it! So can I!!
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