Elohim: Powerful God

Genesis 1:1-27. Matthew 6:25-34. 2 Corinthians 12:9.

ETS: God created the heavens and the earth.

ESS: God is powerful in our lives.

OSS: [Devotional] {I want the hearers to call upon and trust God as powerful God, Elohim.} Cognitive: I want the hearers to know that God is powerful enough to help them amidst their current situations. Affective: I want the hearers to feel assured by the power and presence of God. Psycho-Motor: I want the hearers to lean into the power and presence of Elohim this week.

PQ: What aspects of Elohim should we lean into?

UW: aspects

Intro.: [AGS]: Have you ever felt like you wanted to know God in a more personal way, but you struggled to know How? Think about your spouse. Maybe you began your relationship with them on a first-name basis; then, maybe you learned or gave to them a nickname. Maybe from there it developed into a more intimate name, “sweetheart” or “babe” or “honey”. As you grew in your relationship with them, it is not that their name changed. In fact, I am sure you still call them by their first name often. However, you grew to a deeper level of relationship and the names you used reflected that. [TS]: The same can be true in our relationship with God. Over 2,500 times in the OT the word Elohim is used. It is not always used to refer to God, but more than 2,300 times of the 2,500 times it is used, it refers to God, the God of the Israelites and the Creator of the world. Most often, it is used when referring to God as powerful and almighty. [RS]: Perhaps in your life, you need to reminded of the power of God. The same God who created the Heavens and the earth created you. The same God who rose Jesus from the grave lives in you. Maybe today you need to lean into God as Elohim, Powerful God, for the situation you are in.

TS.: Let us examine a few aspects of Elohim now.

The eternality of Elohim. (v. 1)

The subject of verse one is Elohim. Before the world was, God was. He is eternal. (See Job 38-39 and John 1:1-4 and 14; John 8:58)

The infinite power of Elohim. (Vv. 2-27)

Throughout these verses, it is recorded eight times in these verses, “Then God said…”

Each time God spoke, His power went forth to produce a portion of creation.

God is infinite in power; not limited as we are; powerful enough to speak and create.

The relational quality of Elohim. (Vv. 26-27)

Firstly, let’s address the plural form of Elohim. Many have debated the significance. Could this refer to the Trinitarian nature of God? Could this refer to something else? Does it have significance at all? It is likely that it could refer to two things: (1) the Trinitartan nature of God; (2) the vastness of His Divine attributes asserting that He contained all of them within His being and character. (Ken Hemphill, The Names of God: Revealing the Character of God. Tigerville, South Caroline: Auxano Press, 2014. 2-3)

Additionally, let’s address the relational aspect of the Trinity. That, in and of itself, supports that God is a relational God.

Lastly, let’s address the obvious relational aspect provided in the text: God created man in His own image. No other creature or part of creation was created in the image of God. Thus, humans have a special purpose and relationship intended with God.

With these aspects in mind, let us briefly examine two other passages for reflection and extended meditation over the next week:

Matthew 6:25-34 suggests that God will take of us.

2 Corinthians 12:9 affirms that God’s power is sufficient for us.

Thus, we can lean into His power this week when we face…

relational issues…

marital infidelity…

financial hardship…

health crises…

infertility…

difficult news…

etc.

This week, I want to urge you to lean into Elohim and embrace His power. It is at work in your life, and it is sufficient for you.