EL-SHADDAI: THE ALMIGHTY GOD

“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

REFERENCE:

GENESIS 17:1-11

After years of disappointment and delay, Abram encounters God in a vision. Knowing his history and longing, God revealed Himself to him with this unique name, El-Shaddai (Hebrew of Almighty God). ‘El’ speaks of God as the strong and omnipotent One, while ‘Shaddai’ is the plural form of ‘shad,’ the Hebrew root word for breast. It describes God as the omnipotent One with many breasts or the fully-breasted mighty One. Breastfeeding mothers can identify with the concept of breasts being full of milk when suckling a child. El Shaddai also means the all-sufficient God and the more-than-enough God. He is sufficient in, of, and for Himself. He stands in no need of anyone or anything from another, yet He has a sufficiency for others. He is almighty; there is nothing impossible with Him.

God revealed this dimension of His person to Abram because the promises He was to make to him were supernatural. This covenant would increase Abram exceedingly; it would make him a father of many nations, change his name and experience, make him remarkably fruitful, and a progenitor of kings and nations. It also covered his coming generations, and it included a rich piece of real estate, bequeathed to him and his children forever. How would Abram believe all these at 99 years of age, with no heir? It was for this reason God unveiled Himself in a name that represented all His credentials, capacity, and generosity. When Abram heard, El-Shaddai, he heard that God could exceed his expectations, raise a posterity for him, and give him victory over his enemies. It quickened his faith; he could see his wife’s breast full enough to suckle a child, and he could go ahead and do a change of name.

God appeared to the Patriarchs by this same name (Exodus 6:3); when He did, it came with the promise of fruitfulness and exceeding multiplication. God wants you to know that He is more than enough for you. Everything you need is in Him; His breast is full, and there is enough for all His children to suckle. As you walk before Him like Abram with an upright heart and understanding that you are in covenant with Him, be confident that you have enough in Him; enough to satisfy your deepest desires, and enough to supply every lack. The Psalmist said, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most-High, shall abide under the shadow of Shaddai;” that is the place of endless supply. ‘Shad’ also means ‘to pour out.’ So, El-Shaddai means: I am the God who pours forth blessings and gives them richly, abundantly, and continually.

PHOTO QUOTE;

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Genesis 35:9-13, Psalm 91:1-4 & II Corinthians 9:8 (AMPC)

PRAYERS:

El-Shaddai, the fully-breasted one, You are my abundance, my sufficiency and there is nothing impossible with You. Quicken my faith Lord so I can see and receive the many blessings You have stored up for me. Help me walk with an upright heart, confident that Your covenant of eternal, abundant supply will be evident in my life and times in Jesus’ name, Amen.