Jehovah Shammah: The LORD is Here (Ezekiel 48:35)
All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.” Ezekiel 48:35 NKJV
Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning "to be'' or "to exist." It also suggests "to become'' or specifically "to become known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Shammah is derived from the Hebrew word sham, which can be translated as "there." Jehovah Shammah is a symbolic name for the earthly Jerusalem as God's presence quite literally dwelled in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. The name indicates that God has not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that there will be a restoration.
Every true believer dwells in God, and God in him.
The glory and joy of heaven consist chiefly in this, that the Lord is there. St. John's representation of that blessed state does indeed far exceed this in many respects. That is all gold, pearls, and precious stones. It is much larger than this, and much brighter, for it does not need the light of the sun. But, in making the presence of God the principal matter of its bliss, they both agree. There the happiness of the glorified saints is made to be that God himself shall be with them (Revelation 21:3), that he who sits on the throne shall dwell among them, Revelation 7:15. And here it is made to crown the bliss of this holy city that the Lord is there. Let us, therefore, give all diligence to make sure to ourselves a place in that city, that we may be forever with the Lord. - Matthew Henry
What does Jehovah Shammah mean for us today?
The city and temple Ezekiel saw never became a literal reality in Ezekiel’s day. God did restore His people, and the city and temple were rebuilt—but never on the grand scale envisioned in the closing chapters of Ezekiel’s book. And the Holy City, New Jerusalem, that John describes is still to come in the future. So what does all this mean for us today?
The name of the city—Jehovah Shammah, GOD IS THERE—was intended as a divine promise to give hope to the Jewish exiles.
When this vision of a glorious, restored city came to Ezekiel, the Jews had already spent twenty-five years in exile in Babylon. He had promised to bring them back from exile and restore them in their native land—if they would repent and turn to Him. And the very name of the restored city would stand as a promise they could depend on—GOD IS THERE.
Like the Israelites so many centuries ago, we have the promise of a glorious city where we will live with God. God is there for us.
There are many texts in the Bible emphasizing the fact that God is always there for us—it’s as if He wants to make sure we don’t forget! Here are just a few:
Psalm 46:1, 2, 7 — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth is removed, and though the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea. . . . The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Hebrews 4:15, 16 — “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. . . . Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Isaiah 49:15 — “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
Psalm 34:4, 6, 7, 10 — “I sought the Lord, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. . . . This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. . . . Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.”
Wherever we are, whatever our circumstances or our need—GOD IS THERE. He is Jehovah Shammah.
Let’s think about how this name, Jehovah-Shammah, applies to us. So often you live in life looking ahead to some event, some time in our lives, some potential disaster, some looming date. We may wonder what that date will bring to our lives or how we will survive it. Perhaps it is a doctor’s appointment or a court date or your child leaving home or your mate passing away. It could be a new job, a divorce, or moving from a place that you have called home for many years. Whatever this future event is, it causes you to have a knot in the pit of your stomach every time you think about it. Be it real or imagined, this future occurrence causes you huge amounts of stress, angst, and worry.
Our God is already in your tomorrow. He already knows what your future looks like and He has complete control over it. We are told in Jeremiah 29:11 that Jehovah-Shammah says,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)
THE LORD IS THERE! You cannot be in your future now, but He can. You can’t control the future events of your life, but He can. Jehovah-Shammah will walk with you into whatever tomorrow holds because of His great love for you. God is THERE in your tomorrow and in my tomorrow. He simply desires that we trust His heart.
Banished from the Lord's Presence
The formation of mankind is twinned with the LORD planting a garden in Eden, the place where Adam and his God would enjoy mutual communion. Although sin had separated man from God, the LORD was at work to reconcile him back to Himself in Edenic conditions. Here, in the western end of the structure, the LORD dwelt with the altar in the east providing the necessary atonement for sin.
David’s idea of a temple for the LORD furthers this vein, securing the promise of an everlasting relationship between the LORD and David’s family. The temple built by Solomon opened with great promise, but the depravity of the human heart was seen even in his life as he turned away from the LORD. The nation was left wasted by their sin, their idolatry an abomination to the LORD.
A Return to the Lord's Presence
Ezekiel’s extended vision of their future indicates that Israel will one day be redeemed, sanctified, and returned to the land. A new temple will be built, and Jerusalem, which had been left desolate with the departure of the LORD, will be called Jehovah-Shammah as the LORD will again be there (Ezekiel 48:35). This thought carries us forward to the new Jerusalem of Revelation 21, which is described as the tabernacle of God with mankind. When the LORD is there (Jehovah-Shammah) there will be a return to Edenic conditions (Revelation 22), with the second Man (Jesus) and His bride (the Church) enjoying the presence of God.
Currently, the LORD is present among His people in the church. This present spiritual reality was made possible by the incarnation. Jehovah took on flesh and dwelt physically among His people (Immanuel). During His time on earth ‘he [was] despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3), but willingly bore this shame and hatred in order to be the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
The barrier between God and man has been lifted in our Lord Jesus. He gave Himself that we might enjoy an eternal relationship with Him (Ephesians 5:25). As He left earth, His final words to the disciples were ‘I am with you always (Matthew 28:20).