Moment of Meditation: Adonai/Lord (Exodus 4:10)

Original Broadcast: July 2008

Monthly Theme: Names of God

But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord,
I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant,
but I am slow of speech and of tongue."
(Exodus 4:10)

Adonai (Lord)

This morning's name, Adonai, is one of the most prolific names of God in the Old Testament. It's the name that would be substituted for the personal divine name YHWH when it was read in the Temple and the synagogue. However, it's very seldom used by itself when addressing God or describing God. It's mostly found in the compound Adonai YHWH--Lord GOD (GOD in all capitals in our versions). This is the most common name used for God in the books of Moses.

Adonai, in its basic sense, means "master." Adonai, in reference to God, shows that He is the ruler of all things. God is the master of life in this world and the next. God is the Christian's master. St. Paul reminds the Romans, "you who were once slaves to sin ... having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness" (5:17-18). The master of righteousness is God. Spend a few moments this morning speaking to Adonai, your master, and see what He has planned for you to do for all eternity. Amen.