El-Shaddai, God Almighty

El-Shaddai: Genesis 17:1-2

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless, that I may make My covenant between Me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”

Derivations

  • El – strength, prominence, power
  • Shaddai – Almighty, All Sufficient
    • Jewish Talmud (“sheday”): “who is enough”
    • Greek Septuagint (pantokrator): all powerful
    • Latin Vulgate (omnipotens): all powerful
  • El-Shaddai– God Almighty

God Almighty

El-Shaddai is All-Sufficient

  • For Abram/Abraham (Genesis 17:1-8)
    • Sufficient to fulfill all He promises (Romans 4:19-21)
    • Sufficient to perform every word He has spoken

El-Shaddai is All-Bountiful

  • For Isaac (Genesis 28:3)
  • For Jacob (Genesis 35:11, Genesis 43:14, Genesis 48:3)

Shaddai is “The One Who Nourishes, Supplies, Satisfies”

  • Translation of the root “shad” is “breast” (Genesis 49:25)
    • Compare to heathen goddesses of fertility, such as Artemis/Diana of Ephesus

El-Shaddai makes us sufficient

  • We are not sufficient in ourselves (2 Corinthians 3:5)
  • Our sufficiency is from God (2 Corinthians 3:6)
  • So that we may abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8)
  • So that we may be generous in every way (2 Corinthians 9:11)

How does knowing that God, El Shaddai, is All Sufficient, All Bountiful, the One who Satisfies help you today?

Praying to God by Name

From “Praying the Names of Godby Ann Spangler, published by Zondervan, © 2004 by Ann Spangler

El-Shaddai

Reflect On:    Genesis 17:1-8, 15-17

Praise God:        Because no matter how tough life is, no power in heaven or earth can thwart His plan for us as long as we follow Him.

Offer Thanks:     That God has made an everlasting covenant with us.

Confess:             Any doubts about God’s ability or desire to help you.

Ask God:           For the faith to believe that He can show his strength in you and for you when you are at your weakest.

Reflect On:    Psalm 91

Praise God:        Because He is a refuge from all storms.

Offer Thanks:     For God’s sheltering care.

Confess:             Any habit of worry that keeps you from depending on the Almighty.

Ask God:           To increase your trust in Him in the days and months to come.

Reflect On:    Genesis 49:22-26

Praise God:        Because it is His nature to bless those who love Him.

Offer Thanks:     For the way God has persistently blessed your life.

Confess:             Any tendency to believe that God would desert you.

Ask God:           To help you become a blessing for others.

Next: El Ro’i, The God Who Sees Me

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