EL SHADDAI – GOD ALMIGHTY

We now come to the name “El Shaddai” as we consider the names of our LORD and what they reveal to us about Him.  It was interesting to me to note God’s words to Moses as I looked for verses shedding light on this name.

Exodus 6:3 “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

It was as El Shaddai, God Almighty, that God first identified Himself to the man chosen to father a people set apart as God’s chosen instruments to declare Him to the nations.  He first established Himself as all powerful to lay a foundation of trust to be accepted as YHWH, Jehovah, the self-existent, eternal God.  Even now I just can’t fully comprehend that concept, but I do believe it without a doubt; and that belief is strongly rooted in His proof of Himself as “the Almighty.”  One can’t honestly read the scripture today in light of how history has unfolded according to His prophecies and not see the revelation of Almighty God that is outside time and can declare the future hundreds and thousands of years in advance.

As referenced above, God first revealed Himself to Abram as “Almighty God.”

Genesis 17:1 “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.  And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly…. and thou shalt be a father of many nations.”

To be “almighty” is to be “unlimited in might, omnipotent and irresistible.” 

Webster defines omnipotent as being “able in every respect and for every work.”  This would include the ability to be our Creator.  To be “irresistible” is to be always successful and undefeatable.  In my mind this definition limits the term “almighty” as only rightfully attributed to Jehovah. 

As Almighty God He could ask Abram to live a life of integrity and sincerity before Him because He had the ability to enable Abram to obey that request.  Believers today are even more blessed than was Abram because we have been given the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower and strengthen us as we seek to show our love to God and serve Him in obedience.

As God Almighty, He declared His ability to make Abram fruitful and a father of many nations; and He changed his name to Abraham in light of that promise.  Only Almighty God has the power to open and close wombs according to His will.

Genesis 20:18 “For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech….”

Genesis 29:31 “And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb….”

Genesis 30:22 “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.”

Psalms 127:3 “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

In fact, scripture declares that He is intimately involved in the creation of every child.

Psalms 139:15–16 “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

Oh how it must grieve Almighty God to see how little we treasure the precious gift of every life! 

As Almighty God, He chose to allow man the privilege of choice to love and obey Him or not.  The time is coming, however, when His eternal family will be deemed complete.  At that time those who love Him will get to enjoy eternity in fellowship with Him, and those who have rejected Him will be forever cast from His presence.

John 5:28–29 “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

John 14:2–3 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 “…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord….”

It is God’s desire that all men would come to repentance, but He will not force you.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

John 3:16–17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”