Names of God Session 2 - Elohim: The Strong Creator God

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is involved in a study that has the potential to deepen our understanding of the very character and nature of God. As many of you know, names in the Bible are not merely labels; they reveal profound truths about who a person is.  This is especially true when we consider the names of God. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through various names, each highlighting a unique aspect of His being, His power, His love, and His relationship with humanity.  Over the coming sessions, we will explore some of these powerful names, such as Elohim, Jehovah, Adonai, and many others, uncovering the rich tapestry of God's self-revelation and how understanding these names can enrich our prayer lives and our walk of faith.

These are the notes to session  two.  The very first name God reveals to us in Scripture is Elohim. This name is found in Genesis, the book of the beginning, and we discover it inthe very first verse: “In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.”

Knowing God’s names is critical to our comprehension and application of the strength and victory that come through His multidimensional nature. We talked some last week about God’s multidimensional nature.

Love: (1 John 4:8 - "God is love")

Holy: (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8 - Set apart, morally perfect)

Merciful and Gracious: (Exodus 34:6 - Slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness)

Just: (Deuteronomy 32:4 - Righteous and upright)

Faithful: (Deuteronomy 7:9 - Keeps His covenant and steadfast love)

Omnipotent (All-powerful): (Jeremiah 32:17, Revelation 19:6)

Omniscient (All-knowing): (Psalm 139:1-4, Hebrews 4:13)

Omnipresent (Present everywhere): (Psalm 139:7-10, Jeremiah 23:24)

Unchanging (Immutable): (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17)

Creator: (Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 40:28)

Throughout the Bible, when God revealed a new aspect of His character to His people, He often did this by revealing a new name. God has a name to meet the needs of any situation we may face in life. Whatever our present situation, God has a name that fits it.

      

 When God asked Moses to lead the Israelites out of a difficult and challenging situation, He empowered Moses by revealing one of His names. 

Exodus 3:13-15 NIV [13] Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name’ Then what shall I tell them?” [14] God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” [15] God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.

YHWH (Yahweh):The name Yahweh (represented by the four Hebrew letters YHWH, known as the tetragrammaton) is derived from the Hebrew verb "to be," which is the same root as "Ehyeh" ("I am").  The phrase "I am who I am" in Hebrew is "Ehyeh asher Ehyeh"  Many scholars understand Yahweh to be the third-person form of this verb, meaning something like "He will be" or "He causes to be." When God says "Ehyeh asher Ehyeh" in Exodus 3:14, He then tells Moses in verse 15 to say to the Israelites, "The Lord (Yahweh), the God of your fathers... has sent me to you. This is my name forever.”

When you identify and understand which name relates to your particular situation, you will be able to connect with God’s power to deliver you in that situation.

      

God’s name is like a key that unlocks the treasure God has in store for you. Scripture tells us, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Hisname alone is a fortified place offering freedom, security, and peace.

God is so awesome that He has a name for whatever you’re facing. And His names communicatespecific attributes or characteristics of God that can strengthen and empower youin your situation. When you discover the name of God that applies to your situation, you will fully uncoverthe power, potency, privilege, and productivity that comes with that name.

The very first name God reveals to us in Scripture—Elohim. This name is found in Genesis, the book of the beginning, and we discover it inthe very first verse: “In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.”

The name of God, Elohim, is a Hebrew word that generally means "gods" or "deities". It is the plural form of the singular "Eloah" (אֱלוֹהַּ).

Here are some key points about its meaning and usage:

Plural Form, Singular Usage: While grammatically plural, Elohim is most often used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to the singular God of Israel. In these cases, it takes singular verbs and pronouns.

 

Mighty One" or "Supreme One": Elohim signifies God's power and majesty. It can be translated as "supreme one" or "mighty one".

Creator God: Elohim is the first name used for God in the Bible, appearing in Genesis 1:1 ("In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth"). It is used exclusively to refer to God from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3, highlighting God as the powerful creator.

Some theological interpretations suggest that the plural form of Elohim, even when used in the singular sense, hints at the triune nature of God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

Therefore, the name Elohim emphasizes God's supreme power, creative ability, and divine nature, and is one of the fundamental names used to refer to God in the Old Testament.

God identifies Himself as Elohim 35 times at the start of Scripture. In fact, Elohim is the only name used for God from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3. Other names come later in His personal revelation of His character throughout His Word, but Elohim is emphasized in the beginning.

      

      

      

 That one line at the beginning of time reveals a deep character quality of God—Creator. He wants us to recognize thatHe is transcendent—that He is distinct from His creation. God isn't amalgamated into His creation. He is not a tree, a river, or a butterfly. Rather than being a part of His creation, God is above and outside of it. The name Elohim  lets us know that He’s set apart from the constraints of time. When we read, “In the beginning God created,” we discern that God created the beginning. God Created time. And if God created time, then God preceded time because He couldn't have created something that already existed. If time didn’t begin until He created it, then He must have been present before it. God has neither a yesterday nor a tomorrow. Everything for God is right now because He has no past and He has no future. He is the right now, ever-present God. Which means He’s Omnipresent.   

Jeremiah 23:23-24 NKJV [23] “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? [24] Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.

(  “Am I a God who is near [Elohei Mikkarov],” declares the LORD, “and not a God far off [Elohei Merachok]? Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD (23:23-24).)

            

 He is here, there, and everywhere. Elohim created the heavens and the earth, Elohim also fills the heavens and the earth, existing in it. He everywhere, present at the same time.

 With all of this talk about God being here, there, and everywhere, we might be tempted to think of Him as an energy source. Yet the name Elohim doesn’t mean God is like that. 

Elohim can make something out of nothing. He can empower it to grow into something great even when nothing appears to be happening at all. He can bring order out of chaos.  His is a great name because He is Elohim, the great and powerful.