Word of the Week: El Shaddai

El Shaddai
The All Sufficient God.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

The first time God reveals this name for himself is in Genesis 17:1, where YHVH (“Yahweh,” which is the personal name of God – the one that denotes his mercy and condescension to us) said to Abram: "I am El Shaddai. Walk before me and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." What does that mean?? What does this new name have to do with Abram, or ME, walking blamelessly and a covenant and multiplication?

According to hebrew4christians.com, no one is really sure where “El Shaddai” is derived from. It could be from the root verb “shadad” that means “to overpower” or “to destroy.” In this understanding, the Name is usually translated “God Almighty” and can be understood in his omnipotence. But it could also be a contraction of the phrase, “I said to the world, dai (enough),” as in “it would have been sufficient.” God created the world, but “stopped” at a certain point, leaving it incomplete and imperfect because he wanted us to exercise chesed (love) in repair of the world. But Jacob’s blessing in Genesis 49:25 “indicates that Shaddai might be related to the word for breasts (shadaim), indicating sufficiency and nourishment…. In this case, the Name might derive from the contraction of sha ("who") and dai ("enough") to indicate God's complete sufficiency to nurture the fledgling nation into fruitfulness. Indeed, God first uses this Name when He refers to multiplying Abraham's offspring (Gen. 17:2).”

So we see that this personal God, Yahweh, is not just demanding that I be perfect and blameless all on my own. He is inviting me into a relationship where He is sufficient for me. As I walk before Him in faith, He is Enough who makes me perfect and blameless. Not only is Enough for me in my weakness, but He is Sufficient to do the work of multiplication Himself – whether that is in regards to descendents or ministry or whatever He desires me to accomplish.

Anne Spangler comments, “Sometimes it’s easier to believe in the power of Shaddai on a grand scale – creating the universe, sustaining it through time, reigning over the centuries – than it is to believe in his power to keep one simple promise.” We can believe in Him as the God who created the universe or caused a virgin to be pregnant or raises people from the dead. But it is much harder to trust Him daily when He promises that He “is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Co. 10:13).

El Shaddai is the Name to remember when you are beyond your own power to resist temptation (it might be wise to remember it before you get to that point, too!). He is not only able to help you bear up under temptation, He is completely sufficient for you.

There may be pain, confusion, struggle, and difficulty along the way, but El Shaddai is able and willing to work even these for the good of those that love him – those that walk before Him in faith. Nothing can prevent El Shaddai, our Almighty God, from carrying out his plans – trust Him, and be watching for His blessings.

Check these verses out:
“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near…. When [Christ] said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:1, 8-10

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 1 Corinthians 12:9

El Shaddai can also be found in these verses: Gen. 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; 49:25; Exod. 6:3; Num. 24:6; Ruth 1:20; Job (various references); Psa. 22:10; 68:15; 91:1; Ezek. 1:24; 10:5; 23:21 etc.

(References: ESV Study Bible, Anne Spangler’s Praying the Names of God, and www.hebrew4christians.com)