As I continue to gaze upon the names of God, El Shaddi is especially important to me in that it is vital to our faith that the Most High, Eternal God who sees everything has the ABSOLUTE ALMIGHTY SOVEREIGN POWER to act and move on behalf of those who love HIM. HE has all necessary power to make good on HIS promises! I am very guarded concerning the promises that I make to my children...if I make a promise to them I want to be able to keep it. The reason that I have to be careful is that I am not all powerful. God has the ability and power to make good on every promise...we see this revealed in El Shaddi.
’El Shaddai is used in the longer form seven times in the Scriptures (Gn 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; Ex 6:3; Ez 10:5). In the shorter form (Shaddai), it appears more frequently: in Job 30 times; in Psalms 19:1 and 68:14; once in Ruth (1:21), Isaiah (13:6), Ezekiel (1:24), and Joel (1:15). In these passages the combined ideas of God as the all-powerful, all-sufficient, transcendent, sovereign ruler and disposer are present...Shaddai is a composite term of sha (“the one who”) and dai (“is sufficient”). God as ’El Shaddai is presented as the all-powerful One, totally self-sufficient, absolute ruler, and the One who can and does make final disposition. Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (540). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
God revealed HIMSELF as El Shaddi to Abram when he "was ninety-nine years old and said... “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Gen 17:1-2 It is a gross understatement to say that Abram and Sarai, who were childless, were way beyond the age for having children. The obstacle of their age did not seem to hinder El-Shaddi, HE promised them innumerable descendants. No doubt this was humanly impossible, but God has the power to make all things possible Gen 18:14, Luke 18:27. In Job 42:2, Job gave us the good testimony of God's sovereign power when he said, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." Jeremiah proclaimed, “O Sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power. Nothing is too hard for You!” Jer. 32:17. Again, Job instructs us well when he tells us that "We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us. 24 No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.” Job 37:23-24 NLT. It took several years, but God made good on HIS promise to Abram and Sarai.
Gen 48:3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me.
Ezek 10:5 The sound of the cherubim’s wings could be heard as far as the outer court; it was like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.
Rev 21:22 I did not see a sanctuary in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its sanctuary.
EL-SHADDAI is among the most magnificent of God's names for me personally...again, this is because it does not matter how good and loving God is if HE does not have the power to make good on HIS promises. The reason passages like John 10:27-31 bring great comfort, peace and blessing to God's children is because we are confident in the sovereign power of El Shaddi to do what HE says and to keep HIS promises. When Jesus tells us that, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.” 31 Once again the people picked up stones to kill him."
Why did they pick up stones to kill him? Because HE made HIMSELF equal with God, Jesus and El Shaddi are one...Jesus has got the POWER! The one who died and suffered in your place and my place holds us secure in HIS righteous right hand because HE is "the all-powerful, all-sufficient, transcendent, sovereign ruler and disposer" of ALL THINGS!
The book of Hebrews tells us that in these last days that God, El Shaddi, if you will has spoken to us by HIS Son...Jesus fully reveals the Father to us, to those who are twice born...come to Jesus and live!
Matt 11:25-30 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! 27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
love,
m