Introduction: A man who was celebrating his 100th birthday was told by a friend, “Well, I congratulate you, but I’m afraid you’ll not be here to celebrate a second hundred.” To this the man replied, “I’m not so sure of that. The fact is, I am feeling very much stronger to begin this second hundred than I was when I began the first.” That is the attitude Christians need as they face their senior years.
Though Abram was getting old, God was not finished with him yet. We find in Genesis 17 that God meets with Abram and again renews His promise. The Bible lists many of God’s names: Elhoim “God” (plural); El Elyon, “God (singular) Most High”; El Roi, “God Who Sees”; Yahweh, Jehovah, “the I AM”, “the Self-Existent One”; Adonai, “Lord”; and several other compound names. However, in Genesis 17:1, God identified Himself as Almighty God or “El Shaddai.” Also, found in 17 other texts. By coming to understand the meaning of this name, we will better understand the promise God gave to Abram.
As we examine God’s name “El Shaddai”, it ought to increase our faith in God.
1. El
The Hebrew word for God used here is El. El is a title for God meaning “strength, majesty, and power”.
A. Note the significance of this name in this context
(1) Abram and Sarai ran ahead of God (Gen 16) and had a son by Hagar, Sarai’s maid. This son was not part of God’s will, but was a result of their impatience, worldliness, and distrust of God.
(2) Thirteen years had passed since that time and now God speaks to Abram again. God was not finished with Abram yet.
(3) Being the God of strength and power, He was able to pick Abram up and forgive him.
(4) Not only did he forgive him, but he offered him another chance and helped him live with the scars his sin had produced.
B. Note the significance of this name in our text.
(1) Abram was 99 years old and Sarai was 89. They were old. Note how he is described in Hebrews. (Hebrews 11:12) “Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.“
(2) More than two decades earlier, God had promised Abram a son by Sarai and had not yet fulfilled His promise.
(3) Now Sarai was past childbearing age. It was humanly impossible for her to conceive. (Hebrews 11:12) “Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.“
(4) God wanted Abram and Sarai to know that He was El, the strong and powerful God.
(a) God is unlimited in His power. (Job 42:2) “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.“
(b) Nothing is too hard for him. God could and would give Sarai a child, though it was humanly impossible. (Genesis 18:14) “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.“
(5) As the El Shaddai, God has no limitations.
(a) (Job 42:2) “I know that thou canst do every thing, ….“
(b) (Matthew 19:26) “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.“
(c) (Luke 1:37) “For with God nothing shall be impossible.“
(d) (1 Corinthians 1:25) “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.“
(6) Are you facing an obstacle that seems impossible? Remember NOTHING is impossible with God. ➔ “God can do anything but fail.”
2. Shaddai
A. Scholars differ as to the root meaning of Shaddai.
(1) Some claim it is from the Hebrew word Shadad meaning powerful. Others think it comes from Sadu, mountain. Yet others believe it to originate from Shad a woman’s breast. While any of these may be correct, the latter is most likely as we examine the context of Genesis 17:1. Shaddai is the “breasted one,” who like a mother provides for His children. He is the sufficient one, the provider, the sustainer, the life-giver, the one who makes fruitful. God was telling Abram, “I am the strong one who is all-sufficient.” “I am the giver of life.” “I am the God who provides.”
(2) This is the first time this name is used in the Bible, and in context, God promises to give Abram a son, to multiply him, and to make him the father of many nations.
(a) (Genesis 28:3) Shaddai is used similarly by Isaac speaking to Jacob “And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;”
(b) (Genesis 35:11) God uses his name Shaddai when speaking to Jacob. “And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;” God is the El Shaddai who can sustain, provide, bless, make fruitful when all seems impossible and when all hope is gone.
B. God wanted Abram to recognize His character.
(1) Abram needed to see God’s unlimited sufficiency. Though Sarai was barren, and they were both too old, they would have a son.
(2) Abram needed to trust God’s unchanging promise. God had promised a son, and he would provide as he said.
C. As a token of his promise, God changed their names.
(1) Abram (chief man) to Abraham (father of many nations), v.5
Every one of us needs El Shaddai to do for us things that are humanly impossible.
A. We need him for salvation.
(1) It is impossible for us to save ourselves.
(2) El Shaddai can cleanse you of your sin and make you His child today if you will trust Him.
B. We need Him for spiritual victory.
(1) He gives strength to overcome temptations (Eph 6:10).
(2) He cleanses us when we confess our sin (1Jn 1:9).
C. We need Him in our struggles.
(1) He alone can heal the deep needs of our hearts, carry our burdens, and strengthen us in trial.
(2) He is strong enough to carry your heavy burden (1Pe 5:7).
Conclusion: Has God Almighty, the El Shaddai, saved you? Has he cleansed you from your sin that is impossible for you to clean? Are you trusting Him for victory over that habitual sin? Are you clinging to Him for spiritual nourishment, comfort, and growth?Is there a burden you need to give to him today? Nothing is impossible with God. Won’t you trust him?
