El Shaddai – Bill's Bible Blog

🧐 REVIEW: The Names of God so far:

○ The first name, Elohim, used ~2,600 times in the Hebrew Bible, established that there was a pre-existent, supernatural being that created the heavens and the Earth, and still claimed dominion over and possession of all His creation.

This is basically the definition of “God,” and Elohim is interpreted as such in English. In the Bible, we, as a part of His creation, are expected to acknowledge and worship Elohim, God the Creator, as He deserves.

● The second name, Elyon, used only 53 times on the Hebrew Bible, emphasizes God’s preeminence in His creation–the ultimate Authority and Supreme Judge. He didn’t just create the Universe and walk away, as some people think and some religions teach. He has a vested interest, especially in us, because we were made in His image. He has expectations for how we live our lives, and El Elyon, God Almighty, will hold us accountable.

🤔 REFLECT
This third of the three most common Genesis Names for God, El-Shaddai, used 48 times in the Hebrew Bible, is translated as ‘God Almighty.’ It is the first time we see God get personal. El-Shaddai is God’s covenant Name with Abram and his descendents, inheritors of God’s promises to:
1. Become a great nation and
2. Messiah will come through their lineage.

These blogs on El-Shaddai will be divided into seven devotional segments. There are six passages in Genesis where El-Shaddai is used by the Patriarchs, but then historically it drops to just an occasional use by Israel in the rest of the Old Testament, having been replaced by a new covenantal Name. I will be pairing these six passages with six New Testament passages where the Greek translation of ‘Almighty’ is used in the worship of God and the exalted Jesus Christ.

🎶 RECORDING 🛐😔
Before we repeat a passage back to God as El-Shaddai in prayer, there is a very pretty contemporary worship song using some of the names of God, especially featuring this week’s name, “El Shaddai.” Listening to it always puts me in a worshipful frame of mind and it helps with the pronunciation of some of the Hebrew names for God.

written by Michael Card and John Thompson, recorded by Amy Grant, 1982

LYRICS EXPLANATION:

Divine Names and Hebrew Phrases (Chorus)

**El Shaddai**“ = “God Almighty” first revealed to Abraham in Genesis 17:1.

*“**El Elyon na Adonai**“* = Combines “God Most High,” Genesis 14:22, with the Hebrew particle of entreaty, *na,* meaning “O” or “we beseech you” and *Adonai,* “My Lord.”

**Erkamka na Adonai** ” = from Psalm 18:1, “I love you, O Lord.”

**Age to age You’re still the same**” reflects God’s unchanging nature. In Genesis, Abraham calls Him *El Olam, ‘*The Everlasting God.’

Old Testament Deliverance and Provision (Verse 1)

“**Through your love and through the ram, You saved the son of Abraham**.” Refers to the binding of Isaac on Mount Moriah where God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice (Genesis 22:13). *Jehovah Jireh.*

“**Through the power of Your hand, You turned the sea into dry land**.” The parting of the Red Sea during the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:21–22, Psalm 74:13.)

“**To the outcast on her knees, You were the God who really sees**.” This is Hagar in the wilderness naming God, *El Roi,* “the God Who Sees Me”, Genesis 16:13.

“**And by Your might, You set your children free**.” The liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15, 6:21, and 7:8:).
_______________________

The rest of this first blog for El-Shaddai contains a personalized devotion from Psalm 91, a very well-known use of El-Shaddai in one of only three of the Psalms.

🙏 REPEAT: pray Psalm 91; The Security of Trust in the Almighty.

By faith I shelter in You,
*• El-Elyon,* the Most High God;
In faith I hide in Your shadow,
*• El-Shaddai,* Almighty God.
Because I trust in You,
• My Lord and my God.

• O LORD,YHWH,
You are my refuge and my fortress:
• Deliver me from the snare of the entrapper,
• Protect me from the deceit of sinners.
• Save me from the wrath of the storm.

I seek refuge under Your wings, Adonai;
• Cover me with Your pinions,
• Shield me with Your faithfulness.
• Assure me with Your love.

Selah (Stop and think about it.) 🤔

Because of Your protection,
• I am not afraid of the terrors at night,
• I am not afraid of the sneak attack from ambush,
• I am not afraid of the sickness that creeps unseen,
• I am not afraid of the disaster that looms waiting,
Whether day or night, You protect me.

A thousand may fall at my side,
• And ten thousand at my right hand;
But I know destruction will not come near me.
• I will only see it with my eyes,
When You punish the wicked.

I know this because I make you, OYHWH,
• I make You, the LORD, my refuge,
I make You, O Most High,
• I make You, Elyon, my dwelling place.

You have promised,
• That no evil will happen to me,
You have promised,
• That no plague will come near my home.
You have promised…,

I trust in You, Yahweh Shaddai,
• Therefore I trust in Your promises, O Mighty LORD.

Selah (Stop and think about it.) 🤔

O LORD, you have given Your angels charge concerning me,
• They guard all my comings and goings.
• They bear me up in their hands,
So that I don’t even stub my foot against a stone.

If I step on a lion’s tail,
• Even the young lion I will stomp into the ground.
If I step on a cobra’s coils,
• Even the serpent I will trample into the dirt.
Because you are my Shield, my Shaddai.
• You are my Protector, Lord Adonai.

Selah (Stop and think about it.) 🤔

• I love You, O Lord, my God,
Adonai Elohim, deliver me when I stumble.
• You are my LORD and my God,
Yahweh Elohim, lift me up when I fall.
• Because You are my LORD.

Because I know You by Name.
When I call on You, my Lord,
• O Adonai, please hear me;
My God, when I am in trouble,
• O Elohim, please save me.

You have honored me with knowledge,
• The knowledge of Elyon, the Most High;
Please grant me a long and satisfying life;
• And at the end that may I see Your face,Yah-Shua,
That I may see the face of Jesus,
• the God of my salvation.

Amen.

Tag: El Shaddai

H2a3-0 Names of God – El-Shaddai