"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." (Exodus 6:3)
God Almighty, or Elshaddai. From “El” meaning God, and “shadday” meaning Almighty. In this passage we find yet another variation to God’s name. God is Almighty. Consider these verses:
Job 37:23-24
“Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 24Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.”
Revelation 1:8
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
In the text above Moses was discouraged because he was rejected by Pharaoh (Ex. 5:2) and Pharaoh got so angry at him that he increased the Israelites work without providing for the adequate materials they needed. In turn the children of Israel got angry at Moses and Aaron (5:21). Moses began to question God (5:22) and even accused God of not delivering His people (5:23). God then begins to reveal some precious truths to Moses, and this revelation will also bring comfort to all who genuinely trust in the Lord.
First, God rejects Pharaoh (6:1). Pharaoh’s theology could be described as polytheistic (meaning to say he believes in many gods). So when Moses and Aaron approached him concerning the release of God’s people, Pharaoh said this, in defiance to God:
“And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Basically God meant nothing to him. Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice? What arrogance or what ignorance? Maybe even both? The point is God was irrelevant to him. And isn’t this a reflection of the unregenerate man’s theology. It is only proper that dignitaries and important people are treated with respect and admiration. The Lord will not have a hard case to press against people who ignored Him in their lives during the Great White Throne Judgment.
Second, God reveals a glorious truth to Moses (6:2-3). In essence God reminds Moses of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and how that they were able to accomplish God’s will in their lives by simply trusting in God. Even when the only name they knew about God was God Almighty, yet God saw them through. And how much more should Moses trust God, when God has revealed unto Moses His most personal and covenantal name “Jehovah.” As a believer, we need to realize that this world is not going to make ‘serving God’ any easier. In fact, if you as a Christian live a genuine godly life, you are sure to suffer persecution. And if we are not careful, we will soon forget that God is Almighty, that God is in charge. And so God draws Moses aside and declares unto him, and unto us the very essence of His character, that He is Almighty and that He is the great “I AM.”
What does this mean to you and me?
A. God deserves to be reverenced. As the world continues into the downward spiral of sin, this attitude of reverence will soon be lost. The loss or lack of dress and music standards in many of today’s churches is a sad indication of a loss or a lack of genuine reverence for God.
B. God will judge all who reject Him. Many today do not want to be told what to do. And because God is Almighty, He does whatsoever pleases Him, and it is nothing for such a God to reject those who reject Him.
C. God will save those who trust in Him. Thank God, we have been given a name. God through His Son, Jesus Christ, will reconcile anyone who repents of sin and trust in Christ alone for salvation. A born again believer can apply Matthew 1:21b to his life: “…and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
D. God is worthy of our praise and service.
God Almighty, or Elshaddai. From “El” meaning God, and “shadday” meaning Almighty. In this passage we find yet another variation to God’s name. God is Almighty. Consider these verses:
Job 37:23-24
“Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 24Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.”
Revelation 1:8
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
In the text above Moses was discouraged because he was rejected by Pharaoh (Ex. 5:2) and Pharaoh got so angry at him that he increased the Israelites work without providing for the adequate materials they needed. In turn the children of Israel got angry at Moses and Aaron (5:21). Moses began to question God (5:22) and even accused God of not delivering His people (5:23). God then begins to reveal some precious truths to Moses, and this revelation will also bring comfort to all who genuinely trust in the Lord.
First, God rejects Pharaoh (6:1). Pharaoh’s theology could be described as polytheistic (meaning to say he believes in many gods). So when Moses and Aaron approached him concerning the release of God’s people, Pharaoh said this, in defiance to God:
“And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Basically God meant nothing to him. Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice? What arrogance or what ignorance? Maybe even both? The point is God was irrelevant to him. And isn’t this a reflection of the unregenerate man’s theology. It is only proper that dignitaries and important people are treated with respect and admiration. The Lord will not have a hard case to press against people who ignored Him in their lives during the Great White Throne Judgment.
Second, God reveals a glorious truth to Moses (6:2-3). In essence God reminds Moses of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and how that they were able to accomplish God’s will in their lives by simply trusting in God. Even when the only name they knew about God was God Almighty, yet God saw them through. And how much more should Moses trust God, when God has revealed unto Moses His most personal and covenantal name “Jehovah.” As a believer, we need to realize that this world is not going to make ‘serving God’ any easier. In fact, if you as a Christian live a genuine godly life, you are sure to suffer persecution. And if we are not careful, we will soon forget that God is Almighty, that God is in charge. And so God draws Moses aside and declares unto him, and unto us the very essence of His character, that He is Almighty and that He is the great “I AM.”
What does this mean to you and me?
A. God deserves to be reverenced. As the world continues into the downward spiral of sin, this attitude of reverence will soon be lost. The loss or lack of dress and music standards in many of today’s churches is a sad indication of a loss or a lack of genuine reverence for God.
B. God will judge all who reject Him. Many today do not want to be told what to do. And because God is Almighty, He does whatsoever pleases Him, and it is nothing for such a God to reject those who reject Him.
C. God will save those who trust in Him. Thank God, we have been given a name. God through His Son, Jesus Christ, will reconcile anyone who repents of sin and trust in Christ alone for salvation. A born again believer can apply Matthew 1:21b to his life: “…and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
D. God is worthy of our praise and service.
1 comment:
Great Post Brother Bill.
Lord Bless.
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