What's In A Name?

“What’s in a name?” is a common question many people have.  Recently, I have be noticing many are using a new App that will tell you what your name truly means along with other personality type questions.

In western culture, personal names are little more than labels to distinguish one person from another. Sometimes nicknames are chosen which tell something about a person, but even this is a poor reflection of the significance of names in the Bible.

The Scriptures are a gold mine of life and wisdom. The Book of Proverbs says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1

The Names of God used in the Bible act as a way of learning about the character of God. Since the Bible is God’s Word to us, the names He chooses in scripture are meant to reveal His true nature to us.

One of the great Hebrew names for God is El Elyon, often translated as God “Most High.”

El Elyon speaks of the supremacy of God above all others. He is above all. El Elyon: “The Most High God.” stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy (Gen. 14:19; Ps. 9:2; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25).

It reminds us He is the Creator of heaven and earth and the Owner of all. He is not merely mighty, but Almighty. He is the Sovereign Possessor and Controller of all things. Elyonsovereignly delivers His children and sovereignly accomplishes His purpose even in their suffering, which itself is temporary and will be followed by the eternal refreshment he promises to bestow on them.

Elyon empowers His children through drawing on his own omnipotence, which makes all creature claims to power (whether by fallen angels or by man) utterly presumptuous and laughable.

El Elyon: God Most High – Scripture Passages

The name first appears in Genesis regarding the mysterious Melchizedek. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:18-20).

The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded (2 Sam. 22:14; Psalm 18:13).

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High (Psalm 7:17).

For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken (Psalm 21:7).

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells (Psalm 46:4).

How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! (Psalm 47:2)

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High (Psalm 50:14).

I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me (Psalm 57:2).

They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer (Psalm 78:35).

But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep his statutes (Psalm 78:56).

Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD, that you alone are the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:18).

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the LORD, who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone (Psalm 91:9-12).

It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High (Psalm 92:1).

You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods (Psalm 97:9).

“But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever; yes, for ever and ever” (Daniel 7:18).

Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him (Daniel 7:27).

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David (Luke 1:32).

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).

He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God you won’t torture me!” (Mark 5:7)

God is sovereign and He is in absolute control. Our world may feel like no one is in control, but please know that El Elyon has perfect control of all that happens in this world and nothing happens that He does not permit. Do you acknowledge Him as the Most High? Rest assured that you will bend your knee to Him one day, either by compulsion or conviction. I encourage you to begin today.

“..if God is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then He is not the Most High, and you and I are either in the hands of fate (whatever that is), in the hands of man, or in the hands of the devil.” – Kay Arthur

We can rest in the shadow of the Almighty!

Stay Blessed,

Fran