In lesson 1 (APPEARANCES OF ALMIGHTY GOD IN ANCIENT TIMES) we saw how that the Almighty APPEARED to man in ancient times. The question now arises whether He had made Himself known to them by any specific Name. You would have noticed from your study how those people who encountered Him, were often very curious to know His Name. They realized that it was God Himself Who had appeared to them. (e.g. Jacob inquired after the Name of the Wrestler, Samson’s mother,etc).

IDENTIFICATION OF YHWH AS “THE FATHER”
THE ALMIGHTY ANNOUNCES HIS NAME TO MOSES
Exodus 6:2-3, “And God spoke unto Moses and said unto him, “I am YHWH and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac and unto Jacob by the Name of God Almighty, but by My Name YHWH was I not known to them.” This verse serves as an interesting example of how widely translations do differ. It is also one of the very few verses in which most translations do admit some or other form of the Sacred Name. It relates the announcement by God of His Name God has a Personal identifying, unique Name to distinguish Himself from other deities. You may wish to come in the habit of using it wherever the title “LORD” (in capitals) appear in your Bible. This Title (the LORD) generally serves as substitute in modern translations, for the Sacred Name which appeared in some 7000 instances in the Tanach (Old Testament). You should start with the Decalogue (10 Commandments) Exo. 20:2), “I am YHWH your God … you shall have no other gods before Me.” Makes much more sense now, doesn’t it?

THE “FATHER” APPEARED IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN
Thus far we have seen that the Almighty appeared to human beings in ancient times and also made Himself known to Moses by His Personal Name YHWH (Exodus 6:3). It was YHWH Himself Who appeared to Adam and Eve in Paradise. “And they heard the Voice of YHWH (the LORD) God walking in the Garden …” Gen. 3:8. Through the prophet Isaiah, YHWH claims to be the CREATOR of heaven and earth and all that lives. “Thus says YHWH (the LORD) … I have made the earth and CREATED MAN upon it; I even MY HANDS have stretched out the Heavens.” Isaiah 45:11-12. YHWH was not only Adam and Eve”s Creator and God, but also their FATHER. “Have we not all ONE FATHER? Has not ONE GOD created us?” Malachi 2:10.
Isaiah confirmed this: “But now O YHWH, Thou art our FATHER; we are the clay and Thou our Potter (Creator) and we are the work of Thy hand”. Isa. 64:8; Deut. 32:6 also confirms that our Creator is our Father.

YHWH (THE FATHER) APPEARED AT THE TOWER OF BABEL. “And YHWH came down to see the city and the tower …” Gen. 11:5.

THE FATHER APPEARED TO ABRAHAM.
The same God Who appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia, at Mamre, (as the WORD), claimed that He was the Almighty. “… YHWH appeared to Abram and said unto him, ” I am the Almighty God …” Gen 17:1. And we have seen from Isaiah 64:8 above, that YHWH, the Almighty, is Our Father – even as the “Lord”s Prayer” teaches Christians to pray: “Our FATHER Who art in Heaven; Thy Kingdom come…”. Yes, GOD THE FATHER appeared to Abraham. That is, He manifest Himself in a form which Abraham could behold and yet live!

YHWH (THE FATHER) WRESTLED WITH JACOB
“Yes, he (Jacob) had power over the Angel… Even YHWH, God of Hosts, YHWH is his Memorial.” Hosea 12:4 – 5. Malachai said that YHWH, God of Hosts, is the Father. We read in Mal. 1:6, “A son honours his father … If then I be a Father, where is My honour? … says YHWH of Hosts.” Yes, Jacob wrestled with a “Man” Who was the VISIBLE MANIFESTATION OF THE FATHER.

YHWH IS THE FATHER OF ISRAEL IN EXODUS.
While still in Egypt the Almighty’s appearance to Moses in the burning bush, He also revealed to Moses that He was Israel’s FATHER and that the nation of Israel was His “Son”. Exod. 4:22-23, “And you Moses, shall say unto Pharaoh, “Thus says YHWH, Israel is My Son, even My First Born. And I say unto you, “Let MY SON go, that he may serve Me.” If YHWH addressed Israel as His “First Born Son”, does that not make Him Israel”s Father? When YHWH had redeemed the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery, He (YHWH of Hosts) became their God. 1 Chron. 17:21-24.
Isaiah disclosed that the One Who redeemed Israel is the Father! Isa. 63:16, “Doubtless, Thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not. Thou O YHWH, are our FATHER, our Redeemer. Thy Name is from everlasting”.
In the Wilderness David made the declaration that YHWH Who went before them by day in a pillar of cloud and by night in a pillar of fire (Exod. 13:21), was Israel’s Rock and Redeemer (Ps. 78:13-14,35). This same Rock was also their FATHER! “He shall cry unto Me (YHWH), “Thou art My FATHER, MY GOD and the Rock of my Salvation”. Ps. 89:26; Jer. 3:14,19,22; Deut. 32:4-6, 18-20.

YHWH – THE FATHER – DWELT IN THE TENT TABERNACLE AND TEMPLE
The Most High revealed to David that He (YHWH) being the FATHER, would indwell the Temple which Solomon would build (1 Chron. 17:5, 1 Kings 6:11-14). “I will be his FATHER and he (Solomon) will be My Son ….” 1 Chron. 17:13. See also 1 Chron. 22:10. Messiah also referred to the Temple in Jerusalem as His Father’s House, when he overturned the dealer’s tables, reprimanding them for making it a House of merchandise. John 2:13-16.

THE FATHER APPEARED TO SAMSON’S PARENTS.
“And the Angel of YHWH said unto him, “Why do you ask My Name, seeing it is SECRET”” (Meaning “Wonderful” – refer to the marginal reference). Isaiah uses this very same Name when he writes in Isa. 9:6, “… and His Name shall be called “Wonderful”, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the EVERLASTING FATHER”.
So, it was God THE FATHER Who appeared to Manoah and his wife.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION OF THIS LESSON
The Scriptures in their true and original context state that:

The Name of God the Father is YHWH.

It was God the Father Who manifest Himself in visible form and appeared to human beings at various times in ancient Israel.

The Eternal announced Himself by His Name YHWH and the Israelites of old (and today), know Him by that Name.