#22: God's New Name

Genesis 17:1-2

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

Comments

God reveals himself to Abram as “El Shaddai,” or “God of the Mountains,” often translated as “God Almighty.” Mountains are massive and majestic in their grandeur; from them you can gain perspective and see for miles around. The giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and other key events in the Old and New Testament would take place on mountains.

“El Shaddai” asks Abram to be faithful and blameless. These are not terms that demand moral perfection of Abram, but ones that invite him into personal relationship. Abram will “walk faithfully” if he continues to trust God’s promises; he will be “blameless” if he does nothing that breaks the relationship.

In return for Abram’s faithfulness, “El Shaddai” will “make my covenant” by continuing to fulfill the promises already given in Genesis 12 and Genesis 15 and the ones that follow here in Genesis 17.

Abram may have already been 99 years old when “El Shaddai” appeared to him, but his future was as bright as the promises given him.

Reflections

What has been your experience with seeing, climbing or driving through mountains? What does the name “God of the Mountains” communicate to you about God?

What might it look like in your life to be “faithful and blameless” in your relationship with God?

Prayer

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who invites us into faithfulness and offers a future and a hope.