El=God

Shaddai=most powerful, almighty, the almighty

El Shaddai is translated as God Almighty. When I think of El Shaddai I can’t help but sing the song by Amy Grant, El Shaddai. There are numerous songs about how mighty our God is. It’s true. He is mighty and powerful. He is El Shaddai, the Almighty God. 

A New Identity

The first time we see this name of God is in Genesis 17:1-8 (ESV), “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Then Abram fell on his face.

And God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” ‭‭

God’s Big Promise

Abram and God had been in a relationship for a long time by this point. It was 24 years prior that God called Abram to leave his family and hometown to go to a place he wasn’t even told where. God promised Abram and Sarai a child years and years ago. Here God tells Abram he is powerful, and in his power he keeps his promises, though in the natural it would be impossible. Just think of being Abram. He is 99 years old and has yet to have this promised child. Still God is telling him that he is going to be the father of nations. That’s nations, plural. 

As a tangible reminder the Almighty God changes his name from Abram, which means “exalted father” to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude.”

A New Identity

 In this moment El Shaddai showed his power by changing the identity of Abram to Abraham. El Shaddai gave a whole new identity to this man who would in fact be the father of nations, plural. In fact not long after this identity change, the promised son Isaac would be born. In order for this promise to be fulfilled Abram had to change the way he identified himself. He needed to change his thinking from being just a father of one or two sons to seeing himself as the father of multitudes. 

God had many conversations with Abraham over the years, telling him his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Later this man, with a proper view of his God-given identity, is told his descendants would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore.  “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies.” Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭17‬ (‭ESV)‬‬

Abram Was Always Abraham

You see God always saw Abraham as the father of nations and a great multitude of people. Although Abram and Sarai and even others around them couldn’t see Abram-the-exalted-father as Abraham-the-father-of-a-multitude, it didn’t mean that Abram was always in fact Abraham. By changing his name to fit his identity, El Shaddai was confirming what he had always seen. 

El Shaddai Visits Jacob

We see this same person of God come to Jacob in Genesis 35:

“God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.” Genesis‬ ‭35‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭(ESV)‬‬

Once again God Almighty, El Shaddai, comes to Jacob to instill the identity God saw when he looked at Jacob. He changes Jacob’s identity from “heel holder,” or “supplanter, which means: to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery” to the identity of “God prevails.”  No longer will Jacob be known as the trickster. Rather he will be known as God prevails.  

God’s Promise To Israel

Furthermore, he is given the same promise as his grandfather, Abraham. Israel will be the father of nations. Not only did El Shaddai tell Abraham and now Israel that they would be fathers of nations, but they were also told that kings would come from them. In fact we know this to be true since he is the father of each person represented in the tribes of Israel. Even better, he is the father of Judah, which is the lineage of Jesus. Israel, the God who prevails, is the ancestor of the King of Kings. It is through Jesus the promise is fulfilled in Israel. God does prevail. El Shaddai prevails against all sin, sickness, and all things thrown at us by the enemy. El Shaddai has conquered all of them because he is in fact God Almighty. 

Who Are You

Just as El Shaddai gave Abram and Jacob new names to reveal their authentic identity, so he sees your authentic identity when he looks at you. El Shaddai is the mighty God who prevails against all lies of the enemy. The enemy may try to convince you that you are still that old, unredeemed person. The truth is you are exactly who El Shaddai, God Almighty says you are. He sees you for exactly who he created you to be.

Furthermore, he is powerful enough to help you shed off all false identities and empower you to live in your authentic identity. Just as El Shaddai saw Abram as Abraham, and Jacob as Israel, so he sees the you he imagined before the foundations of the world were created. Have you asked God who he sees when he looks at you? I have, and I can promise the person El Shaddai sees is incredible! The authentic you is powerful. The real you is beautiful. The authentic you is unique and blessed beyond measure. 

Who God Sees When He Looks At You

A few years ago I started asking God who he sees when he looks at me. He gave this to me, and I would love to share it with you. The truth is this description is not just about me but about you as well. As you read this, ask the Lord to help you believe each description. 

Who Am I?

I am a daughter of the King of Kings. 

I am love. I am patient and kind. 

I am a new creation. I am strong. 

I am righteous. I am courageous. 

I am blessed. I am chosen. 

I am holy and blameless. 

I am qualified. I am complete and equipped for every good work. 

Partner with me to do your work, speak your words, and love your children as you love me. Fill me with your power today. 

—

El Shaddai — El Roy