El-Shaddai means God Almighty. El points to the power of God Himself. Shaddai seems to be derived from another word meaning breast, which implies that Shaddai signifies one who nourishes, supplies, and satisfies. It is God as El who helps, but it is God as Shaddai who abundantly blesses with all manner of blessings.
Our culture tries to convince us that we can never have enough…never enough money, fame, food, control, love….never enough. Just turn on your TV or open a magazine - advertisers seek to lure us to purchase their products by trying to convince that we need more. We need something bigger, better, more expensive and the product they are selling is that “little bit more” that will bring us real happiness.
El Shaddai speaks of His sufficiency, His enough-ness. Whenever we hear God speaking of Himself in the Bible as ‘God Almighty’ we are hearing the Hebrew name El Shaddai.
“When Abram was 99 years old, Yahweh appeared to him. He said to Abram, “I am El Shaddai. Live in my presence with integrity. I will give you my promise, and I will give you very many descendants.” Immediately, Abram bowed with his face touching the ground, and again Elohim spoke to him, “My promise is still with you. You will become the father of many nations. So your name will no longer be Abram [Exalted Father], but Abraham [Father of Many] because I have made you a father of many nations. I will give you many descendants.” Genesis 17:1-67 [NOG]
Abraham was 99 years old, Sarah was 89 and God had promised them a child of their own, yet they still had to wait another 13 years before God kept His Word. The Lord wants us to trust and believe what He has spoken so He gets the glory! When we doubt his promises to us, El Shaddai helps us to shake off the fear and unbelief, and press on in faith and obedience, as the song declares “Age to age you’re still the same, by the power of the name – El Shaddai” you can enjoy this song by clicking the link.
El Shaddai, by Amy Grant [YouTube] – 4mins
Dawn Milward
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