Attributes of God - Immutability, Faithfulness, Wisdom and Love — William MacDonald

The Lamb’s Worthiness and the Attributes of God

Worthy is the land that was slain to receive power. Yesterday, we were speaking about the omnipotence of the Lord. Question, how can he receive any more power than he already has? Don't tell me now. Worthy is the land that was slain to receive riches.

He owns the cattle in a thousand hills. The universe is his. Tell me, how can he receive more riches than he already has? Worthy is the land that was slain to receive wisdom. He's the founding head of all wisdom.

All the secrets of wisdom and knowledge are found in him. How could he possibly get any more wisdom than he already has? Worthy is the land that was slain to receive strength. There's a difference there between power and strength.

One speaks of authority, and the other would speak more of physical strength. The question is still the same. How could the Lord have any more strength than he already has? Now, I can understand the last part, honor, glory, blessing.

Yes, I can understand how he can receive more of them. But how can he receive more of those first things? Think it over. Talk it over among yourselves. And I'd be interested to hear what answer you come up with.

God’s Immutability and Unchanging Character

Now, this morning, we want to take up another attribute of God, first of all. And that is known as the immutability of God. The immutability of God. And that says that God does not change in his being, his attributes, or his purposes.

The Lord is the unchanging one. First of all, let us read some scriptures that deal with this. And first of all, I'd like to read from the book of Psalms. Psalm 102. Psalm 102. And verses 24 through 27.

Incidentally, if you'd like to revel in the attributes of God, live deep in the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is full of the study of the attributes of God. That's really what made David a worshiper.

He meditated, I suppose, out there in the fields with the sheep. He was contemplating the Lord in all his greatness. And he began to sing and to praise and to worship. Psalm 102, verses 24 through 27.

I said, oh my God, take me not away in the midst of my days. Actually, perhaps I should just stop here and explain. This is a dialogue between the Lord Jesus and God the Father at the cross. The Lord Jesus said, I said, oh my God, take me not away in the midst of my years.

And God the Father answers, thy years are throughout all generations. There's a change in the speaker in the middle of that verse. Of old thou hast laid the foundation of the earth. And the heavens are the work of thy hands.

They shall perish, but thou shalt endure. Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment as a vesture. Shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

The immutability of our Lord. He does not change. Malachi chapter 3, verse 6. There we read these lovely words. I am the Lord. I change not. I am the Lord. I change not. And in James chapter 1, verse 17.

Speaks of God as the Father of lights. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. And so when we think of the immutability of God. We're saying that he does not change in his being. His attributes.

Or his purposes. Now, he does change in his methods. In the history of mankind. There have been various dispensations. In which God tests men. Under various circumstances. Whether under promise or conscience or law or grace.

Or whatever it might be. God's methods do change. But he himself does not change. And this is a wonderful thing for us to contemplate. Because we live in a world of change. Don't we? It's really wonderful to have to cling to.

Someone who doesn't change. Change and decay. In all about I see. O thou who changes not. Abide with me. We change. He changes not. His love can never die. His truth. Not ours the resting place. We on his truth rely.

It's really surprising how many of our hymns and choruses. Deal with the changelessness of our Lord. Now a problem arises in connection with the immutability of God. And that problem has to do with verses in the scripture.

That says the Lord repents. The Lord repents. Genesis chapter 6 verse 6. You remember it says it repented the Lord. That he had made man. And in 1st Samuel 15 it says. It repented me that I have set up Saul to be king.

Now how can God be immutable. And yet repent. Well the repentance of God does not deny his immutability. When the Bible speaks of the repentance of God. It means there has been a change in his creatures.

And therefore a necessary change in his dealings with his creatures. Let me explain it this way. God by his very nature. Must reward obedience. And he must punish sin and disobedience. Right. That's his nature.

He's righteous. And he's holy. And he's just. And he's good. He must reward obedience. And he must punish sin and disobedience. Alright. When man is obedient to him. He rewards man. When man is disobedient.

He punishes man. But he hasn't changed. He's still true. To his own character. And that someone has put it this way. God is said to repent when a change in the character. And conduct of those with whom he is dealing.

Leads to a corresponding change in his plans and purposes. Toward them. His repentance. His repentance is not to be understood as his regretting. His action. Nor is it a sign of changeableness. His promises and threats are often conditional.

And that satisfies my mind when I read. That it repented the Lord that he had made man. As a change in his creature. That necessitates a consequent change. In himself. What seems to be repentance to us.

Is God adapting himself. To change conditions in his creatures. And so there's no conflict with a verse like numbers 2319. That says God is not a man that he should lie. Neither the son of man that he should repent.

The strength of Israel will not lie nor repent. That has to do with his own innate changelessness. But if you and I change. Then his dealings with us have to change. As well. Well the immutability of God.

Is a great comfort to the child of God. In fact you and I as believers here today. Don't realize how much we. Pillow our heads in his immutability. For instance we say. His love in times past. Forbids me to think.

He'll leave me at last in darkness to think. He's unchangeable. And faithful to us. And I was thinking of that yesterday. We were talking about. How God influenced. The enemies of Israel. So that when.

The men of Israel went up to. Worship at Jerusalem. God so influenced. Their desires. That they didn't even want. To pounce upon the property. Of the Israelites. You know God's just the same today. A brother came up to me after the meeting.

And gave me an illustration from today. And I said of course God's immutable. He's the same today. And he's just as faithful. To his promise today. He's still the God of Daniel. The immutability. Of God also is not only a comfort.

But it teaches me. That I should be true. To my word. Even if it costs me something. I often think of that verse. In Psalm 15. It says that the man that pleases God. Among other things. Is the man who swears to his own hurt.

And changes none. Swears to his own hurt. What does that mean? It means he gives a verbal agreement. To sell his house for $50 ,000. And somebody comes along later. And offers him $60 ,000. And he sells it for $50 ,000.

Because he made the verbal agreement. But it wasn't written in the contract. It doesn't make any difference. He swore to his own hurt. And he changes none. Means when you accept an invitation to supper.

Then someone comes along with a better menu. You go to the first place. He swears to his own hurt. And changes none. God wants these characteristics. To be found in his people. What a wonderful thing to contemplate.

The immutability of God. In a scene like ours. Where even our own earthen vessels break. And the world itself grows old. Wonderful to know the Lord. Who changes none. Now another subject. That's very closely related to his immutability.

God’s Faithfulness and the Assurance of Salvation

Is his faithfulness. And his faithfulness tells us. Now this is also called. In the study of the attributes of God. It's called his truth. His faithfulness or his truth. He's absolutely trustworthy. In every way.

Absolutely true to his word. No promise of his. Can ever fail. Well I don't have to remind you. That the Bible is filled. With verses that speak. Of the faithfulness of God. Just let me give you a few.

Deuteronomy chapter 7. Verse 9. I'll read it. Know therefore that the Lord thy God. He is God. The faithful God. That beautiful? The faithful God. Psalm 119. 90. Thy faithfulness. Is unto. All generations.

Lamentations chapter 3. Verses 22 and 23. His compassions fail not. They are new. Every morning. Great is thy. Faithfulness. And you have that expression. In the New Testament so often. God is faithful.

By whom you were called into the fellowship of his son. God is faithful. Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able. It's a refrain. In the word of God. He is absolutely trustworthy.

In every way. Absolutely true to his word. No promise of his. Can ever fail. What confidence. This gives us today. In the word of God. I go to the word of God. I find a promise there. To my heart. I accept the promise.

And I'm absolutely sure. There is no. Risk involved. In believing God. I don't remember who it was. That said that faith. Is like a leap in the dark. You take the leap in the dark. And you find the solid rock underneath.

I don't believe that's true at all. Faith. Demands the surest evidence. And finds it. In the word of God. And the word of God. Is the surest thing. In all the universe. That's why faith is not. A meritorious work.

No merit attaches to me. For believing in the Lord. I'd be a fool. Not to believe in the Lord. If I can't believe the Lord. Whom can I believe? God's word is true. Wonderfully true. Living and vital. Eternal.

And pure. And we have tremendous confidence. When we come to the word of God. Knowing that his word. Can never fail. And that God will do. As he has promised. That's why those who have. The brand mark of redemption.

Upon them. Are as sure of heaven. As if they were already there. That's why we can sing. More happy. But not more secure. The souls of the blessed in heaven. No question about it. Those who have already arrived.

Are happier than we are. But they're not more sure of heaven than we are. Because God has said it. And we believe it. That settles it. The Lord Jesus said. My sheep hear my voice. And I know them. And they follow me.

And I give unto them eternal life. And they shall never perish. Neither shall any man pluck them. Out of my hand. And my father which gave them me. Is greater than all. And no man is able to pluck them.

Out of my father's hand. And so it's a wonderful thing. To have the word of God. To know the faithful God. To have utter assurance. Of salvation today. Do you have utter assurance of salvation? How do you know you're saved?

Well I know I'm saved. First and foremost through the word of God. I went through an awful time of testing. In my life. On this whole subject. For many years I fought against the Lord. And fought against the idea of being saved.

But when I finally yielded. I expected something very dramatic. And emotional. And sensational to happen. And it didn't happen. I trusted the Lord. But the bells didn't ring. The lights didn't go on. And I didn't feel any tingling in my nervous system.

And so I was plunged into the deepest despair. I said I've done all I can do. And I'm still not saved. And I went on for months. And months and months. Longing for assurance of salvation. And expecting to find assurance.

Through my feelings. But I couldn't find it. And then I read George Cutting's book. Light for Anxious Souls. And he showed very clearly. That assurance of salvation. Comes through the word of God. And not through your feelings.

And when I saw that. The clouds drifted away. And they've never come back since. Because the word of God is the same today as it was then. God's word is the same. My feelings are up and down. But God's word never changes.

I've often quoted Dr. Ironside in that regard. He said I don't know I'm saved. Because I feel happy. But I feel happy because I know I'm saved. And somebody said to Martin Luther. Mr. Luther do you feel that your sins have been forgiven?

And he said no. But I'm as sure of it. As that there's a God in heaven. For feelings come and feelings go. And feelings are deceiving. My warrant is the word of God. Not else is worth believing. But that's where we stand today.

Just think of the blessing we have. Assurance of salvation. Eternal security. And the provision of all our needs. My God shall supply. Do you believe that? Do you take seriously this verse of scripture.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God. And his righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you. The promise of the word of God. You know God would have to come off his throne in heaven. Before that verse could ever fall to the ground.

Wonderful thing. To just take God at his word. Well we should also want to be. Conformed to the Lord. In this matter of faithfulness. We should be faithful. We should be faithful in our dealings with one another.

We should be dependable for instance. In keeping appointments. We should not be given to lies. Or exaggeration. Faithful in keeping promises. Faithful to marriage vows. Faithful in the local assembly.

Tell me. Can the Lord depend on you? He wants us to be faithful. In all our ways. Okay? Another wonderful attribute of God. Is his wisdom. The wisdom of God. And the wisdom of God teaches us. That God always produces.

The Wisdom of God in Creation and Providence

The best result. By the best possible means. That's wonderful isn't it? Just to think about that. God always produces. The best possible results. By the best possible means. First of all. Let us go to some scriptures.

To. Back this up. Let's speak of the wisdom of God. Psalm 104. Verse 24. I'll read it to you. Psalm 104. Verse 24. Oh Lord how manifold are thy works. In wisdom hast thou made them all. The earth. Is full of thy riches.

Job chapter 12. Verses 13 and 16. Job. 12, 13 and 16. With him is wisdom. And strength. He hath counsel. And understanding. With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived. And the deceiver. Are his. And one more reference.

Proverbs chapter 3. Verses 19 and 20. Proverbs 3. Verses 19 and 20. He says the Lord by wisdom. Hath founded the earth. By understanding. Hath he established the heaven. My you could talk the rest of the day.

In the wisdom of God. And you'd never have exhausted the subject. First morning I was here. I went down by the lake. And I watched two seagulls. What do you have seagulls in Minnesota for? Would you please tell me?

But I watched two seagulls flying over Corona. You know I was reminded of something very wonderful. Think of the wisdom of God. One of the great problems. That man has to face today. Is how to take salt water.

And make fresh water out of it. And really if we could do that. On the west coast now. We wouldn't be bothered by the drought. Because we got plenty of salt water. But we can't do a thing with it. In other words to convert it.

We can convert it to fresh water. But it's too expensive. Use too much power. And power is scared. But there are those seagulls. If you cross the Atlantic or the Pacific. You'll find the seagulls way out in the middle.

Please tell me what do they drink? They drink that salt water? Like tequila seagull. Well one of our brothers out there on the west coast. Is in the membrane business. His business is to make membranes.

For industry. Filter membranes and all the rest. And I was traveling with him one day. And he was telling me about the seagull. He was telling me the seagull. Drinks salt water. Takes salt water into it's system.

That salt water goes through. A membrane. After it passes through the membrane. It goes down into it's gullet. As fresh water. And the salt comes out as a tear drop. From the seagull's eyes. The wisdom of God.

If you can believe that happened by evolution. You're welcome to believe it. Frankly. I'd rather get down on my knees. And worship the God of the seagull. You know we take so much for granted. We take the human body for granted.

But what a wonderful thing the human body is. How do we see? The light comes through our eyes. But where is the projection machine? And where is the screen. On which the image. I don't even know how to express it.

You know. How does that work? And tell me. Who has put understanding. In the mind of man? How did he do that? Supposing I could create a brain. Which I can't do of course. But supposing I could. With all the component parts.

How could I put understanding in it? Think of the wisdom of God. In designing the human hand. Think of all the things you can do. With the human hand. You know I believe. That if you were to feed that information.

Into a computer. And say now that we want a device. That will do all of these things. And then push the button. And say what would it be like? They come out just like that. The wisdom of God. This whole universe.

That we are living in. Absolutely filled. With evidences. Of God's wisdom. And we see it in his providence. With us as well. Now this is a tremendous. Comfort to our hearts. The wisdom of God. First of all teaches me this.

Trusting God’s Wise Leading

He's too wise to make a mistake. You know there are things that happen in life. Have you ever had this happen? And I don't mean to be irreverent. But something happens in your life. And you say well God has made his first mistake.

But you wait ten years. And you say Lord. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The wisdom of God. He's too wise. To make a mistake. The wisdom of God. He's too wise. To make a mistake. Comfort. Not only comfort.

But confidence. What confidence this should give us. In the Lord. When I think of the wisdom of the Lord. And I think of my own ignorance. I say this to myself. McDonald you can trust his leading. He knows what's best.

I don't even know what's best for me. Oh Lord. I know that the way of man. Is not in him. It is not in man that walketh. To direct his steps. That's a good lesson for us all to learn. Too often you and I take matters.

In our own hands. We say I'm going to do this. This is the thing that I want to do. Really if we were wise. We'd get down before the Lord. I don't even know how to come in. Out of the rain really. And I just want to turn my life over to you.

I want an exchange of wills. To take place every morning. In my life. And turn my will over to you. And accept your will in my life. Because you are absolutely wise. You never make a mistake. And you just plot the course for me.

And all will be well. I've had this experience in life. Where you're tempted to take action. By yourself. And you think no I won't do it. I'll just leave it with the Lord. I tell you the Lord comes through.

Every time. Comfort. Confidence. Third thing is conformity. We should be wise too. We should be wise. In obeying the word of God. The path of wisdom. Is to bow to the authority. Of the holy scriptures.

I was speaking to some of the young people the other night. On that verse. A wise man will hear. The difference between a wise man. And a fool. In the book of Proverbs. Is that the wise man is teachable.

And the fool isn't. You can't tell a fool anything. And you'll get scorned if you try. Now that isn't true in the book of Psalms. The fool in the book of Psalms. Is the man who says there is no God. But the fool in the book of Proverbs.

Is the man. Who is unteachable. He's going to learn. By his own stupid errors. He won't listen. To the Lord. God wants us to be wise. In listening to the godly counsel. Of elder. Brothers and sisters.

Knowing. That there is safety. In the multitude of counselors. And God also wants us to be wise. In accepting what he has made us. Physically. And mentally. And what he allows to come. Into our lives.

I think that's one of the greatest lessons. That you learn in life. And that's this. There's peace in accepting. What can't be changed. I'm sure in everybody's life here today. There's something. That comes into your life.

And you wish in a way. It were different. You wish you could have it differently. But what a wonderful thing to know. That God has planned. The ingredients of our lives. And he has planned them. In absolute.

And perfect wisdom. Whether it's your appearance. Whether it's your height. Whatever it might be. God had a purpose in it all. His way is best. And he wants us. To accept. The Lord Jesus did that. He said even so father.

For so it seemed good. In thy sight. He accepted what couldn't be changed. Paul accepted what couldn't be changed. He had some physical thorn. And cried to the Lord three times. To have it removed. And the Lord said my grace is sufficient for thee.

Paul rose to the height of spiritual maturity. He said most gladly. Therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities. That the power of Christ might rest upon me. As brother Dan was saying yesterday. You take these things.

And you dedicate them to the Lord. And thank him for them too. Thank him for them too. So God wants us to be wise. In these ways. In obeying. In listening to advice. And in accepting. What cannot be changed.

The Love of God as Divine, Sacrificial Action

And that brings us to the next attribute. Of God. And that is the love of God. This is very difficult incidentally. To define the love of God. God has strong and tender. Affection for us. And he gives freely.

Actively. And sacrificially. The love of God. God has strong and tender. Affection for us. And he gives freely. Actively. And sacrificially. Well. We hardly have to read verses on the love of God. But here are a few.

Jeremiah 31. I have loved thee. With an everlasting love. John 3. 16. God so loved the world. That he gave. Romans 5. A God commendeth his love toward us. And that while we were yet sinners. Christ died.

For us. The verse that Ted quoted last night. Ephesians 2 .4 .5. But God who is rich in mercy. For his great love. Wherewith. He loved. When it says in the Bible. That God is love. That's not a definition of God.

We don't worship love. We worship God. Who is love. But I don't think I have to. Labor the point of the love of God. Because every Christian here today. Every person today. Is a recipient. Of the love of God.

But it's a subject. That really can't be exhausted. What has the poet said. That if the whole ocean were ink. That the sky were just one. Enormous parchment. And every blade of grass. Were a pen. And every man was a scribe by trade.

To write the love of God above. Would drain the ocean dry. Nor would the scroll contain the whole. Though stretched from sky. To sky. The love of God is a boundless. Deep. That no human mind. In time or eternity.

Will ever be able to fathom. Or comprehend. And the love of God. Should inspire great thoughts of worship. In our hearts. How thou canst love me. As thou dost and be the God thou art. Is darkness to my intellect.

But sunshine to my heart. I don't know anything that should provoke more. Worship from my heart to God. Than his wonderful love. To me. And not only so but love to all the brethren. And really this. This is something else isn't it.

This is something else. Love to all the brethren. Dear friends do we love all the brethren. God wants his love to be manifest. In our hearts. And I really believe that. That the Lord would speak to us during these days.

That in our holding of the truth of God. We must not neglect. To love those who disagree with us. Let me give an example. Our Pentecostal brethren. Do we really love them? Or are we harsh. And judgmental upon them.

It's good for us to remember that every true believer. Is a member of the body of Christ. And there's no believer. That I can't learn something from. Really. I might not agree with them. I might not be able to do the things they do.

But I can love them. Just the same. If they belong to Christ. I tell you I have a deep and abiding obligation. To love them. Some of us can get very excited. About the whole subject of tongues. I've never spoken in tongues.

I've never heard anybody speak in tongues. But I want to tell you this. There's something worse. Than the so-called unknown tongues. That's a backbiting and a gossiping tongue. It really is. And we can be so clear doctrinally.

On the subject of tongues. In 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. We can be very careless. About the other. Sometimes the English tongue. Can be worse than an unknown tongue. And you know it's a sad thing to me.

That we draw the line so harsh. A person can be a backbiter. And a gossip. And be accepted. In full fellowship. In an assembly. But if he disagrees with me. On the baptism of the spirit. He's out just like that.

I'm not saying that. We should allow men to come in. And divide the assembly. I don't think we should. Because division is not of the Lord. But I feel that we all need a fresh baptism. Of the love of God.

In our lives. In the day in which we live. A revolution of love. We really need it. And not only love for our brethren. But love for the world as well. Poets have let me look on the crowd. As my savior did.

Till my eyes with tears grow dim. Let me. Let me love with pity the wandering ones. And love them. For love of him. Let's think about the love of God. God's love. Had no beginning. And it can have no end.

God's love had no beginning. And it can have no end. God's love has no limit. Boundless. God's love is like an ocean. Without any shores. God's love is absolutely pure. No human love is absolutely pure.

Everything we do. Including our love. Is stained with sin. With selfishness in it. And all the rest. But think of the love of the Lord. It's absolutely pure. God's love is sacrificial. Never minding the cost.

That was never more manifest. Than at the cross of Calvary. When he gave himself. The Lord Jesus gave himself for us. Love manifests itself. In giving. God's love manifests itself in giving. God so loved the world that he gave.

Christ also loved the church. And gave himself for it. And you get that refrain. All through the scriptures as well. God's love seeks the welfare. Of others. But what makes it truly unique to me. Is God's love goes out to the unlovely.

As well as to the lovely. And it goes out to his enemies. As well as to his friends. God's love is not drawn out. By any virtue in its objects. But only by the goodness. Of the donor. Why did God ever love me?

Well the only explanation I've ever found. Is in the book of Isaiah. It says I've loved thee because I've loved thee. Well that's good enough. That's plenty adequate. Not drawn out by any. Virtue. In me.

But only by the goodness of the donor. God's love is unselfish. Not looking for anything. In return. God's love doesn't keep a count. Of wrongs. And it repays every discourtesy. With a kindness. But that's the way he wants us.

Love Expressed Through Practical Service

To be. I like to give some illustrations. Especially when I'm talking to young people. About what love really is. Because people have such sickly sentimental ideas. Of love today. And Hollywood has accounted.

For most of that. But when we speak of love in this sense. It's not the love of sexual passion. It's not the love of friendship. It's not the love of affection. It's a divine love. The love of God. What is love like today.

In a practical way. With you and me. Well, the plate is passed. And it has bananas on it. And one of the bananas has a bad spot. Love takes that banana. So nobody else will get it. When love goes in the washroom.

And the paper towels are all exhausted. Love sees that they're replaced. Before love leaves. You say, do you have to be so practical? Well, that's the way love is. Love puts out the lights. When they're not in use.

You know, sometimes. I go into places today. And people talk about love. They go into a church, let's say. And the people hug one another. And kiss one another. And they say, boy, that place is full of love.

Really? Look, there was a crumpled Kleenex in the lobby. And they all walked over it. Love would have picked up the Kleenex. Love empties the garbage. Without being asked. It replaces gas and oil. In a car that has been borrowed.

When the car is returned. Love doesn't keep people waiting. It serves others. Before so. Love speaks loudly. For the deaf to hear. How we try to drill that into our fellows. In the discipleship intern training program.

They might as well be speaking in tongues. If they don't speak loud. They should have an interpreter present in such a case. Love speaks loudly. So that the deaf can hear. And in Ephesians 4. We find out that love works.

In order to have. To give to those who are in any need. That's revolutionary. Most of us think working to provide for our own needs. But Christianity goes beyond that. And says love works. Let him that stole steal no more.

But rather let him labor. Working with his hands the thing that is good. That he may have to give. To anyone that has need. That's love. In the New Testament sense. Love is supernatural. The love that the Lord wants to see.

Manifest in our lives. Is a supernatural love. It's impossible. For an unbeliever to do it. At all. It's impossible for a believer to do it. Except as energized by the spirit of God. But after all. If our lives aren't different from the lives of people around us.

What good are they? If we can't be. Living supernatural lives. In the midst of a. Grubbing earthly world. What impact are we ever going to have? So God wants his love. To be manifest. In our hearts today.

The love that is strong. And tender affection for us. Which he gives freely. Actively. And sacrificially. Shall we look to him in prayer. Father once again we come to you. And we thank you for your word.

We thank you for how it speaks to us. Even here in the 20th century. We thank you how it convicts us. How it exposes us to ourselves. How as we stand before. The mirror of the word. We see ourselves as we actually are.

And Father we would confess to you. Our sin and our failure this morning. Lord how we must grieve your heart. Over and over. We wander from you. And yet your faithful love constraining. Abide with us still.

We just bless and praise you. For all your glorious attributes today. Lord if men and women. Seeing us and meeting us. Might just see more. Of the Lord Jesus in us. If when we go from Corona's. We might be better testimonies for him.

Living epistles. Known and read of all men. We ask that it might be so for your glory. In Jesus name.