The first name we will explore in this series on the Names of God is Elohim. It is the first aspect of God’s character revealed to the people of Israel and is found in the very first verse of the very first book of the Bible.
In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
Elohim is the most common word for God in the Old Testament and is usually represented by a capital “G” and lower case “od” in most Bibles. The “El” prefix means mighty or strong. The “him” ending of the name is very significant, however. It is a plural ending meaning three or more. So Elohim could literally be translated “Almighty Gods.”
Does this refer to more than one god?
No!
The LORD our God (Elohim) is one LORD. - Deuteronomy 6:4
We do know from Scriptural reference that all three persons of the Trinity - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit - were present at creation.
As shown above God’s presence was obvious in Genesis 1:1:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
We see the Holy Spirit’s presence in Genesis 1:2:
The Spirit of God was moving over its surface.
Colossians 1:16-17 tells us that The Son was there also:
Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see - kings, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.
This is all summed up in Genesis 1:26:
Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.”
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were all there at the point of creation. ONE God in three persons - Elohim, The Creator.
What are the practical implications of knowing God as Creator?
1. We can trust that God is God alone.
"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” - Isaiah 40:25-26
“For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.” - Isaiah 45:18
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”
“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” - Romans 1:20
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." -Revelation 4:11
Just look around at all that God has created. The beauty and wonder and complexity of it testifies to His power and might. We can trust that He alone is the one True God - the Creator - Elohim.
2. We can trust that God will take care of us because we are his creation.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.” - Psalm 139:13-16a
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” - Matthew 6:26
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you” - Luke 12:26-28
God our Creator personally knit us together in our mother’s womb. If he takes the time and care to feed the birds and clothe the flowers, can’t we trust that he will take care of us - the most precious of all he created.
3. We can trust that God has a plan and purpose for our lives.
“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.” - Psalm 57:2
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.” - Psalm 138:8
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” -Psalm 139:16
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10
Why was I created, why am I here? This (or some variation) is one of the most asked philosophical questions. We can rest assured that we were created for a purpose. God had planned our purpose before we were even born!
Our General Purpose
According to Rick Warren’s book Purpose Driven Life our general purpose is:
- Worship - we were created to give God pleasure by loving and worshiping Him
- Ministry - we were created to love others and serve them by meeting their needs
- Evangelism - we were created to tell others about God’s love
- Fellowship - we were created to become a part of the church - the body Christ
- Discipleship - we were created to grow spiritually with Christ as our example
Our Specific Purpose
This aspect of purpose is much harder to define. This specific purpose is the individual calling for each person. Many times our specific purpose is staring us straight in the face but we do not see it because we do not recognize the opportunities God has placed before us. It can usually be discovered by:
Looking at past events that God has allowed to happen in your life
Looking for doors God is now opening in your life
Looking at the needs of the people God is placing in your life
Using the Spiritual Gifts you were given upon accepting Christ as your Savior
Listening to the revelation God is giving you through His Word
And most importantly - praying earnestly!
Whatever your specific purpose, the ultimate goal is to fulfill the general purpose. In everything we do, we should be glorifying God, growing in knowledge and understanding and pointing people to Christ.
Things to Do This Week
1. Look at the creation around you and praise God for all he has done.
2. Thank God for his provision.
3. Look honestly at your life. Are you using your gifts in ways that are pleasing to God? Are you ministering to the people God has placed in your path? Are you taking advantage of the opportunities God is placing before you? Are you listening to God’s Words? Are you worshiping Him? Are you pointing people to Him?
Next Week
Jehovah
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