Question
Please explain the difference between ‘LORD’ and ‘Lord’.
Response
Back in the beginning of my “The History of God’s Program with Israel” study series, I probably only explained the significance of the two names; and that would have been in the lessons dealing with the time when God began to educate Israel in the fact that they needed Him to be absolutely gracious to them, and they needed for He Himself to undertake for them and do for them things they could not do for themselves, if they were ever going to be able to be what His plan and purpose called for them to be. This is what God’s name “Jehovah,” (which is what “LORD” in all capital letters denotes), is all about. This is what the name signifies, and is designed to remind Israel of, every time God uses it with them.
Again, the time when God began to educate Israel in this was when He brought them out of the Egypt, beginning with Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, as recorded in Exodus 3ff. In connection with that time God told Moses to use “my name JEHOVAH,” and at that time He explained the significance of the name, etc. The name literally means, “I am that I am”; or “I am _____,” where the blank space remains to be filled in. And the main significance with the name is that it denotes the issue of God saying that he is graciously willing to be, and able to be, whatever Israel needs Him to be. In other words, the ‘blank space’ will be filled in with the issue of some particular need Israel has, and God is saying that He Himself will undertake for them and become, or provide for, the very fulfilling of that need. In connection with Israel’s specific needs. God Himself describes them throughout His dealings with them. And in so doing God also sets forth what I call ‘the seven Jehovah compound names,’ by which He ‘fills in the blank’ after “I am” with a description of Him being something, and in so doing He declares how that He Himself will undertake for Israel to meet the needs that they have.
Simply put, this is what the name “Jehovah” is all about. And the use of God’s name “Jehovah” is what the title “LORD” denotes. In other words, every time “LORD” in all capital letters is used it denotes that God is using His name “Jehovah” with Israel, and He is doing so in accordance with what He said to Moses in Exodus 3ff when He educated them in its meaning, significance, and use. As He told Moses, “this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” So every time God uses it He stresses to Israel the significance of what His name “Jehovah” should mean to them.
Now the other title “Lord,” (capital “L” then lowercase “ord”), is used when God applies to Himself the title or name that signifies and stresses what is true of Him both being God in general, and being Israel’s God and Maker in particular. And what “Lord” signifies and stresses first and foremost is the issue of God being the sovereign and supreme ruler over all things. Being God, and as such the Creator of all. He is Lord of all. He is creation’s sovereign and supreme ruler. As such He is also the owner and possessor of all things. Likewise, He is also the one to whom all creation is accountable. And particularly with respect to Him being Israel’s God and Maker, as their “Lord” He is the one to whom they are to render service. These are the issues being stressed, focused upon, or simply denoted, in contexts in which “Lord” is the title.
This is a basic explanation of the significance in the two titles, “LORD” and “Lord.” And usually what I did throughout “The History of God’s Program with Israel” study series, was to point out at various times the significance of God using His title “LORD,” especially in contexts in which He was describing to Israel the very way in which He would be undertaking for them and meeting their need, just as His name “Jehovah” tells them He would do.
I hope this is of some help in clarifying the difference, and in explaining why at times I would point out the use of “LORD” or “Lord.”
Keith Blades
Enjoy The Bible Ministries
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