Book Review: The Names of God (by Marilyn Hickey) M' Kaddesh

Hello everyone, welcome to our monthly book review for, The Names of God, by Marilyn Hickey.

Our review for April is the chapter on the name, Jehovah M’Kaddesh, which means The Lord my sanctifier.

This chapter is so deep and powerful and has really spoken to me as I face various challenges in my life.

Marilyn speaks of our personality lining up with the Lord’s personality - that is, if we are truly walking with the Lord.

Marilyn references - Leviticus 20:7-8 - 7 “‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. 8 Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

The chapter expands from these verses.  Marilyn speaks of the lack of hunger 

in Christians to be in line with the Lord and she states that Jehovah M’Kaddesh - demands holiness from His children (Leviticus 20:7).

She speaks of how we choose holiness, based on Leviticus 20:7  “‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. 

We are given a powerful example of the transformation of King Nebuchadnezzar's heart, from the Book of Daniel, chapters 2 to 4. Jonah, the reluctant prophet, is also used as an example.  These show how our choices, our will play a huge part in the picture of holiness. This is not saying that we can make ourselves holy - but we know who did by his death on the cross. In Him, we can choose to be holy. 

I really like how Marilyn addresses Intellect being used as part of the process, but not using our intellect to justify rebellion.  Really allowing God to use every aspect of what He created in us, to transform us, into His likeness.  Hallelujah!

All the talk of spirit, soul and body can become overwhelming, if we use our intellect to try and understand it all.  I really like how Marilyn reminds us that God’s ways and thoughts are not ours.  Isaiah 55:8-9 -  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,  so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Marilyn points to many scripture verses that encourage us to have complete reliance on God, through prayer, in order to be in-line with him, through our faith in Jesus.

Through the whole chapter, Marilyn focuses on us being set apart through M’Kaddesh - our sanctifier.

The chapter is packed with Bible verses, here are a few:

1 Peter 1:15-16: But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.

1 Peter 2:9:  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Corinthians 6:11: And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

I really like how Marilyn points to the importance of God’s word in our journey of holiness.  Where else are we going to learn about the character of God?

There are many other powerful statements made - I think you will be blessed when you listen or read this chapter.  

The chapter finishes with beautiful verses from Isaiah 44:6, 1 Samuel 2:2, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 90:17 and 2 Peter 1:4.

There is so much more I could say, but I ended up just reaching out to the Lord in a prayer of thanks.

May God bless you as you reach out to Him in His word and prayer, in your journey in holiness.

I am really looking forward to the next chapter in The Names of God.  Our review for that will be in May.  

Until then, God’s peace be with you.

Book and thumbnail source: www.audible.com