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Introduction
Introduction
We are back to our study of the names of God. If you recall from our first study in this series, There are four names by which God revealed Himself to man early in Scripture and human history. All four are found in the early chapters of Genesis. They are
“God” (in Hebrew, Elohim),
“LORD” (in Hebrew, Jehovah),
“Almighty” (in Hebrew, El Shaddai), and
“Most High” (in Hebrew, El Elyon).
As we will see, each of these names reveals some distinct attribute or characteristic of God. In addition to these, we also have three other equally significant names. However, the difference is this. These three names give a description of God’s relation to certain things or people rather than emphasize His nature. The three names are
“Lord” (in Hebrew, Adonai),
“The Everlasting God” (in Hebrew, El Olam), and
“Lord of Hosts” (in Hebrew, Jehovah Sabbath).
We started our study considering the name “Elohim” translated as “God.” However, I did not finish our discussion. So, quickly before we get into a study of another name for God in Scripture, let me give you the last significant point about the name Elohim.
There were two very important considerations for the name Elohim. The first was the fact His name speaks to God as being a Triune God. He is Elohim. Elohim is a plural Hebrew noun. This plurality identifies God as being more than just one person. He is indeed three persons. He is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each are distinct persons but, yet, they are the same person. They are God. A fact establish with great certainty in God’s Word and one we covered extensively in our last study.
However, here is the one that I did not finish. The name “Elohim” also signifies Him as being a God of covenant relationships.
“Elohim” Signifies a Covenant Relationship
“Elohim” Signifies a Covenant Relationship
“Elohim” is formed from the Hebrew word “Alah.” “Alah” literally means to swear. God describes Himself as One Who stands in a covenant relationship that is ratified by an oath by His very name.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
If you recall, Genesis 1:1 gave us this first name of God. He was “Elohim” long before men knew Him as “Jehovah.” Thus, by His name “Elohim,” we know that God had already had a plan for man long before he was created. And, it would seem, based on Genesis 3:4-5, both the Serpent and Eve knew “Jehovah” by His name “Elohim.”
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Even then, God had already provided men with the understanding that He is God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and a God of covenant relationships.
And, as “Elohim” (the God of a covenant relationship), He expresses these relationships.
His Relationship within the Godhead
His Relationship within the Godhead
Now, I will not spend a lot of time on this point. My reason is this. None of us can ever truly comprehend the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Suffice it to say is this. His name, “Elohim,” declares the plurality of God. He is three persons, but yet one. He has certain relationships, both in and with Himself as God, that can never be dissolved or broken. It is indeed the great mystery of the Trinity. A revelation that was not fully realized until God’s Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, was resurrected from the dead. He then declared to His disciples they must proclaim Him to the world as “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” However, from the beginning of time, the name “Elohim” contained and foretold that He was more than one. Over time as God revealed Himself to men, it was through the law and the prophets that more evident indications came to light.
As to this beautiful relationship within the Godhead, we can go a step further. Scripture also reveals:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
All three of these passages clearly reference the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, it would stand to reason, that God, “Elohim”, in a covenant relationship with the Son is also in a covenant relationship with all that is created and by which all things consists or held together. Consequently, it is covenant relationship by which God already had a plan for man’s salvation and eternal life long before He created all things.
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
All of which gives us a wonderful hope. As “Elohim” the God of covenant relationships, He has made the following promise to us.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
His Relationship with His Creation
His Relationship with His Creation
God created us and our world with an infinite degree of perfection. The entire first chapter of Genesis is all about the direct result of the word and work of “Elohim.” Repeatedly, we read “God said” and “God made.” Thus, through God’s name, nature, and undeniable work, we find a God who cannot rest until His fallen creature is restored and re-created. Here is where we discover His most wondrous and abounding grace. Only because of God’s grace that “Elohim” should restore and save His fallen creature. It is of even greater grace that He would restore us and make us fellow laborers with Him.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
We who sinned and rebelled against Him are now those He calls to work together with Him. His love is the cause of His grace, and His Word is the agent that affects His grace.
The name “Elohim” always speaks of “One in covenant” and implies One who stands in a covenant relationship for the outworking of His purpose. Note God’s covenant with Abram.
Genesis 17:1–8 (KJV 1900)
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God [Elohim].
At the root of the name Elohim, is this word.
“EL” - The Strong One
“EL” - The Strong One
You will note on your chart that next to the name “Elohim” are various forms of God’s name associated with the root “El.” Specifically, there are five. I will give them to you as we cover them. However, you will find that each one begins with the root “El.” For instance, the first that we will cover next week is “El-Shaddai.”
The word “El” is a short title derived from “Elohim.” It means “to be strong.” As we move forward with the next five names of God, you will note how it is often used poetically.
It is found through the Old Testament but more so in the book of Job and the Psalms. It is translated into the English as “God” just like “Elohim.” However, “El” is frequently used in circumstances indicating the great power of God hence its meaning which is “to be strong.” A great example of this is its use in Numbers 23:22
Numbers 23:22 (KJV 1900)
22 God [El] brought them out of Egypt; He hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
Here “God” or “El” (the strong one) used His strength to bring Israel out of Egypt. Note also Deuteronomy 10:17
Deuteronomy 10:17 (KJV 1900)
17 For the Lord [Yahweh] your God [Elohim] is God [Elohim] of gods, and Lord [Adonai] of lords, a great God [El], a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
Here the name “El” is used to emphasize God’s strength. Indeed, His strength is mighty. Here are few other examples of its use.
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 35:11 (KJV 1900)
11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
In both of these instances, God’s strength was directly connect to His promises to Abraham and Jacob. Through His almighty strength, The Strong One [El] would fulfill all that He promised.
The name “El” is also one of the names given to the promised Messiah. Note Isaiah 9:6-7
Isaiah 9:6–7 (KJV 1900)
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord [Yahweh] of hosts will perform this.
The first time “El” is used in Scripture is in connection with Melchizedek.
Genesis 14:18 (KJV 1900)
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God [El Elyon].
However, the most sacred and expressive use is found in the Psalm 22:1 which often referred to as the “Calvary Psalm.”
Psalm 22:1 (KJV 1900)
1 My God [El], my God [El], why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Christ cried out during His Crucifixion:
Mark 15:34 (KJV 1900)
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
This moment upon the cross becomes a great example for us all. Christ was experience great weakness and suffering. As He did, He proclaimed the name “El [Eloi - my strength], El [Eloi - my strength.” As I thought about this, my mind went to 2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV 1900)
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
In our times of weakness we must rely upon God, the Strong One, who is known as “El.” He is the first and only Cause of things. The attributes of God are often associated with this title.
“El” is frequently combined with nouns and adjectives expressing God’s particular attributes. Over time, these also have become names or titles of God. We find that “El” is found even in the compound proper names such as “Isra-el” or “Beth-el.” This two-letter name can also be found in many Bible names like “El-iakim,” “El-ihu,” “El-imelech,” “El-isha,” “El-izabeth.” In Genesis 43:14, Jacob referred to God by the following name.
Genesis 43:14 (KJV 1900)
14 And God Almighty [El Shaddai] give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Later, Jacob as he offered his prophetic blessing to Joseph, said-
Genesis 49:25 (KJV 1900)
25 Even by the God [El] of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty [Shaddai], who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
As I said before, this divine name is a name of great encouragement to us as believers. We can laid hold of God who is our STRENGTH in every hour of our weakness. It is through our weakness we see His strength made perfect.
One author, Dr. Marsh, gave the following summary for God divine virtues associated with His name “El.”
As to His duration, He is the Everlasting God according to Genesis 21:33
Genesis 21:33 (KJV 1900)
33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord [Yahweh], the everlasting God [El Olam].
As to His power, He is the Almighty God according to Genesis 17:1
Genesis 17:1 (KJV 1900)
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord [Yahweh] appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God [El Shaddai]; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
As to His exclusiveness, He is the Jealous God according to Exodus 20:3-5
Exodus 20:3–5 (KJV 1900)
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord [Yahweh] thy God [Elohim] am a jealous God [El Qanna], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
As to His holiness, He is a Consuming Fire according to Deuteronomy 4:24
Deuteronomy 4:24 (KJV 1900)
24 For the Lord [Yahweh] thy God [Elohim] is a consuming fire, even a jealous God [El Qanna].
As to His pity, He is a Merciful God according to Deuteronomy 4:31
Deuteronomy 4:31 (KJV 1900)
31 (For the Lord [Yahweh] thy God [Elohim] is a merciful God [El Rahum];) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
As to His fidelity, He is a Faithful God according to Deuteronomy 7:9
Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV 1900)
9 Know therefore that the Lord [Yahweh] thy God [Elohim], he is God [Elohim], the faithful God [El Neeman], which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
As to His vitality, He is the Living God according to Joshua 3:10
Joshua 3:10 (KJV 1900)
10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God [El Hay] is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
As to His greatness, He is the Terrible God according to Nehemiah 1:5
Nehemiah 1:5 (KJV 1900)
5 And said, I beseech thee, O Lord [Yahweh] God [Elohim] of heaven, the great and terrible God [El], that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
As to His compassion, He is the Gracious God according to Jonah 4:2
Jonah 4:2 (KJV 1900)
2 And he prayed unto the Lord [Yahweh], and said, I pray thee, O Lord [Yahweh], was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God [El Hannun], and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
