I was looking up translations and references for El Shaddai, and at first it seemed like it was very similar to El Elohe, the name from yesterday's blog. But then I dug a little deeper, and realized that it had another facet to it. Many scholars believe that El Shaddai is derived from the Hebrew word shad, meaning breast. It refers to the way that God completely supplies His people with all their needs, much like a mother does for her child. God is our sustainer; He will always give us His nourishment and blessings without reservation.
The first time El Shaddai is mentioned in the Bible is with the covenant that God made with Abram (or Abraham, as his name was changed to during this encounter). And boy, did God provide for Abram! He blessed not only Abram, but also his descendants with children, power, prestige, and wealth. It is fitting in a series on the names of the Lord to mention the name change that Abram received here. God recognized the importance of a name, and thus He also changed Abram's name to Abraham as a part of his blessing.
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
The first time El Shaddai is mentioned in the Bible is with the covenant that God made with Abram (or Abraham, as his name was changed to during this encounter). And boy, did God provide for Abram! He blessed not only Abram, but also his descendants with children, power, prestige, and wealth. It is fitting in a series on the names of the Lord to mention the name change that Abram received here. God recognized the importance of a name, and thus He also changed Abram's name to Abraham as a part of his blessing.
There's a beautiful song by Avalon called El Shaddai. Every time I listen to it, I am reminded of what a big God I serve. I'd like to close this blog with the lyrics to it. Hopefully you will be equally blessed by it. If you want to listen to the full song, you can follow this link.
El Shaddai
By Avalon
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same, By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.
Age to age You're still the same, By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.
Through your love and through the ram, You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of your hand, Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees, You were the God who really sees,
And by Your might, You set Your children free.
Through the power of your hand, Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees, You were the God who really sees,
And by Your might, You set Your children free.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same, By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.
Age to age You're still the same, By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.
Through the years You've made it clear, That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see What Messiah ought to be.
Though Your Word contained the plan, They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done Through the frailty of Your Son.
Though the people couldn't see What Messiah ought to be.
Though Your Word contained the plan, They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done Through the frailty of Your Son.
Genesis 17:1-8
1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” 3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
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