The word “El” in the Hebrew means god. “El” is the common name for all gods. The addition of God’s defining characteristics added to the simple word “El” is what differentiates just any god for The One, True God. The Hebrew word “Shaddai,” translated into English, means simply “The Almighty.” When the Holy Spirit puts these two words together, El and Shaddai, they produce one of the formal names for God, in this case, “God Almighty.”
God first identifies Himself as El Shaddai when he appeared to Abraham on a 6th occasion.[1]
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless (Genesis 17:1-2, NKJV).
God, El Shaddai, is The All-Powerful God. The descriptive for this concept is found in the word “omnipotence.” Our God is an Omnipotent God.” There is no power greater than the power of God.
"May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may be an assembly of peoples; and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and your descendants with you, that you may inherit the land in which you are a stranger, which God gave to Abraham” (Genesis 28:3-4, NKJV).
God Displays His power in and through His creation, grace, redemption, salvation, and the resurrection.
We see God’s power in His creation. Job 26:7 (NKJV) says, “He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing.” Everything was created by God. This is what the Bible teaches.”
There is no question that the writers of the Bible, under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, have communicated this truth (2 Timothy 3:16). Genesis 1:1 says it simply enough, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” John 1:3 reiterates this truth and then expands on it when the Apostle writes, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” The Genesis verse combined with the truth of John substantiates an easily understood, emphatic, and all-inclusive statement; “All things” were made by God.
In Romans 1:20 Paul tells us, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.” God is real. His power, knowledge, wisdom, and His indescribable love are everywhere to be found in His Word and His creation.
Believers are to be the expression of the power found in God’s Word. They are the voice of His knowledge and teacher of His wisdom. Finally, they are to love with His love. The love of God is sacrificial as demonstrated in His Son Jesus. Christ’s death on the cross for our sin was the ultimate expression of God’s love for us. His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection is the overwhelming manifestation of His power.
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; (Isaiah 43:1-3)
As with the first two, there is great truth and encouragement in these verses. The one who is God Almighty, who created you, formed you, redeemed you, and called you by name has just said that no matter what happens in your life, I will be with you. There is nothing in this life that you will ever go through alone because El Shaddai will go with you and will make sure that no trial of life will ever overcome you. This is a reason to rejoice and a great reason to shout. Especially when you understand the meaning of El Shaddai and the promises he has made that come along with this. If there was ever a moment to stop and give God praise that moment is right now. From this moment forward let every promise of Scripture you read be read through the eyes of El Shaddai, God Almighty. Because he is the one who said it and he is the one who has the power to bring it to pass.[2]
[1] (adapted from), R. A. Hanes, El Shaddai, el-shaddai.org/whatdoesitmean.asp
[2] Clarence L. Haynes, Jr. christianity.com/wiki/god/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-name-el-shaddai.html, used by permission, Article 107 of the Fair Use Copywrite Law.
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