EL SHADDAI
As we continue the series Name Above Every Name, we examine the name El Shaddai, God’s Old Testament name, which reminds us that Jesus Christ, as God, is the Sovereign Lord of all. Biblically, and for our comprehension, it starts with Abram but El Shaddai is eternal, as only God is.
Genesis 17 (NKJV) 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.
Know that the name of God, El Shaddai (“God Almighty”), indicates His mighty power to bless His people within the covenant relationship. Trust and depend completely on God as your holy, loving, powerful El Shaddai.
Exodus 6 (NKJV) 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord I was not known to them. 4 I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. The Lord appeared to the patriarchs as El Shaddai. He also appeared incarnate, dying on the cross for our sins in establishing the new covenant. Jesus showed us great mercy for without His death, burial and resurrection, we would have no hope. How can we show mercy to others, reflecting our God’s character?