Living ABOVE Your Problems - EL OLAM

[WISDOM]

Hebrews 11:6....."Without FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to please GOD"

Our first step toward GOD is believing HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM. This is the first step in SALVATION. Second, we must know HIM as "JEHOVAH", the self-existent, ever-present GOD Who wants to have a special relationship with us. Third, we must understand that HE is "EL ELYON" (GOD Most High), Who deserves our allegiance and worship. Only after we come to GOD through these names can we know HIM as "ADONAI," LORD or boss.

Stay with me, I'm going somewhere with all this......*smile*

After we come to know HIM as our LORD we can find comfort and strength through the names "EL ROI" (The GOD Who Sees Me) and "EL SHADDAI," (The GOD Who can do Anything). But our FATHER wants us to know HIM even better. HE wants us to get to know HIM as "EL OLAM." This name is the fourth of the compound, or combined, names for the living GOD. "EL" is an abbreviated form of the name "ELOHIM." The Hebrew word "OLAM" means "Eternal." Used in conjunction with "EL" it means "GOD Eternal" or "GOD of Eternity." This name suggests the permanence of Deity and our LORD's exaltation above the effects and surprises of time. HE is the GOD of past, present, or future. It is therefore translated the "EVERLASTING GOD or the ETERNAL GOD."

The name "OLAM" helps us to know GOD as the eternal, ageless, and continual/perpetual GOD Who does not change amid the changing times of human history and culture (VERY IMPORTANT for YOU to remember as a Christian). YOU and I are living in a day when morals are rapidly declining and standards of integrity/moral absolutes are at an all-time low (or vanishing), but this name tells us that neither GOD nor HIS standards EVER change! (Malachi 3:6)

This does not imply that our FATHER is dormant or inactive. Nor am I saying it means HE cannot change HIS method of achieving HIS purpose in our lives (I'm NOT that smart). What I'm saying is as the same musical tune can be played in different keys, so GOD may work in our lives in various ways. Sometimes GOD works in my life through the Bible, sometimes through my wife, sometimes through my two sons, and at other times through friends or circumstances. GOD never changes, and the endless ways HE works in my (or YOUR) life NEVER ceases.

The first time we find the name "EL OLAM" (Rule of First Mention applies here) in the Bible is Genesis 21:33. It's used to sum up what Abraham learned about GOD in Genesis 21. First, Sarah asked Abraham to get rid of the slave woman Hagar and her son, who was also Abraham's son, ISHMAEL. Abraham was probably shocked when GOD spoke to him in 21:12, and commanded him to do something he probably considered cruel. This seems unfair because the birth of Ishmael was the result of a LAPSE in FAITH on the part of Sarah and Abraham, NOT Hagar or Ishmael. So why then did our FATHER tell Abraham to send them away?? I think there are at least two reasons.

First, in Genesis 22 Abraham is going to be tested in his willingness to sacrifice ISAAC, his only son of promise. The expulsion of Ishmael was in preparation for this supreme test of Abraham's faith. If Abraham still had Ishmael when it came time to offer Isaac, in his mind he might think that even if he lost Isaac, he would still have a son in Ishmael. Thus, the offering of Isaac would require much less faith and have far less meaning.

From Abraham's vantage point, GOD certainly seemed unfair. But if Abraham was to be obedient, he had to come to know GOD as "EL OLAM", the GOD of not only the past and present, BUT ALSO of the future. When YOU and I look at things that happen to us in life only from the vantage point of the past and present, often times our FATHER seems unfair. However, if we know HIM as "EL OLAM", we can know that HE has an important and loving purpose (The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren) for EVERYTHING HE allows to happen to us. If we are to know GOD as HE wants us to know HIM, we must believe that HE is the GOD of the past, present, and future and that HE is working in ALL three to accomplish HIS divine purpose in YOUR/MY life!

There was a second thing GOD was revealing about HIMSELF through the incident of sending away Hagar and Ishmael. This incident could not be fully understood until the divine revelation found in Galatians 4:21-31. The Judaizers were teaching the Believers in Galatia to trade their freedom in CHRIST for the bondage of the Law. It was a gospel of works, so to speak. The Jews were prideful because of their physical descent from Abraham and in many cases believed the blessings GOD promised to Abraham were theirs exclusively. In Galatians chapter 4, the distinction between Ishmael and Isaac is revealed in spiritual terms. Under the inspiration of the HOLY SPIRIT, Paul explains that Ishmael represents the Old Covenant, the Law. Also, this passage says Ishmael represents those who are a part of Abraham's family through physical birth, for his birth was entirely by natural means. On the other hand, Isaac was the child of promise. His birth was by means of a miracle.

It is not natural birth that makes YOU and I a part of our FATHER's covenant people; it is a miraculous birth. Christians are the children of Abraham THROUGH spiritual birth. Ishmael was replaced by the son of promise, Isaac. Ishmael represents the age of the Law, and Isaac the age of Grace. This was all part of the plan of "EL OLAM," the Eternal GOD. Abraham could not understand it; he just had to trust the future to GOD. And we MUST remember that the New Testament reveals what was concealed in the Old Testament by the GOD of Eternity. HE never makes mistakes!!

Abraham did not really get to know GOD as "EL OLAM" until later in Genesis 21, when he planted a tree as a token of his agreement with Abimelech. Abimelech's servants had seized some of Abraham's land, including a very important well that Abraham had dug (21:25). When confronted by Abraham, Abimelech swore he knew nothing about it, and Abraham believed him. As proof there was no hostility between the two, Abimelech proposed a treaty to which Abraham agreed. Abraham even gave Abimelech sheep and oxen, literally buying back the land and well (21:27-30).

Abraham did not fight over the well because it would have resulted in bloodshed on both sides. He did not know for sure that Abimelech could be trusted, but he committed the situation to "EL OLAM". Abraham came to know that as long as he did what was right for today, he could trust "EL OLAM" with tomorrow. If it costs us, it is hard to do the right thing today, but we will if we know GOD is "EL OLAM", the GOD (our FATHER) of Eternity, the GOD (our LORD/SAVIOUR) of the present and future. Probably the passage that applies the name better than any other in the Bible is Isaiah 40:28-31. Many of us can quote verse 31, but we should also know its context. In verses 28-30 we read: "HAVE YOU NOT KNOWN? HAVE YOU NOT HEARD? The everlasting GOD (EL OLAM), the LORD, the CREATOR of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. HIS understanding is unsearchable. HE gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might HE increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall."

Now.......read verse 31.

When Isaiah wrote these words the Israelites were very despondent because the Assyrians had already captured many bordering nations, as well as Israel and much of Judah. Isaiah preached during this time of military threat to the southern kingdom of Judah. He warned Judah's king about making alliances with pagan kings rather than trusting in the LORD.

Let me ask YOU something......when YOU or YOUR possessions are in danger, whom do YOU trust? Are YOU tempted to make shady deals or compromise YOUR honesty? How about when YOU are discouraged with the drain of life, do YOU turn to alcohol, drugs, OR sinful pleasures/lusts?? When YOUR faith begins to fail with age, in WHOM do YOU trust???

The secret for supernatural strength when our strength seems to be failing is to TRUST in the EVERLASTING GOD, "EL OLAM". If YOU know our FATHER as "EL OLAM", you can wait on HIM or trust HIM with tomorrow. HE will renew YOUR strength, and as it does, YOU shall mount up with wings and soar like eagles. This means that through PRAYER you can turn the future over to HIM and then you can soar above your difficulties in the atmosphere. (Philippians 4:7)

Like the eagle, who travels alone high above the land, you will be soaring in the PEACE that passes ALL understanding when you know "EL OLAM", the Eternal Living GOD. HE will renew YOUR strength and have YOU (yes YOU) soaring HIGH ABOVE your problems.

[traveller]

This was a blessing to read WISDOM.

[Richard1458]

Wisdom,

Permission to print this off to share? It touched me on a deeply personal level. I thank God for your insight & wisdom.

Richard1458

[traveller]

Richard! My brother! So good to see you here!!

[Mrs Mac]

Richard,

I too was blessed by your post. The Hebrew names of God are indeed meaningful and describe His character. They are an enhancement to our worship as well.

I would like to ask you to clarify the following quote if you don't mind. Especially the last sentence.

Our first step toward GOD is believing HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM. This is the first step in SALVATION. Second, we must know HIM as "JEHOVAH", the self-existent, ever-present GOD Who wants to have a special relationship with us. Third, we must understand that HE is "EL ELYON" (GOD Most High), Who deserves our allegiance and worship. Only after we come to GOD through these names can we know HIM as "ADONAI," LORD or boss.

What happens if we don't know these names? You say or infer that we must come to God through these names.

We come to God through Jesus Christ, do we not?

Ethlyn

[WISDOM]

Richard,

I too was blessed by your post. The Hebrew names of God are indeed meaningful and describe His character. They are an enhancement to our worship as well.

I would like to ask you to clarify the following quote if you don't mind. Especially the last sentence.

Our first step toward GOD is believing HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM. This is the first step in SALVATION. Second, we must know HIM as "JEHOVAH", the self-existent, ever-present GOD Who wants to have a special relationship with us. Third, we must understand that HE is "EL ELYON" (GOD Most High), Who deserves our allegiance and worship. Only after we come to GOD through these names can we know HIM as "ADONAI," LORD or boss.

What happens if we don't know these names? You say or infer that we must come to God through these names.

We come to God through Jesus Christ, do we not?

Ethlyn

Hello Mrs Mac:

Yes, we do come to the living GOD through our LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST (you're absolutely correct), and that will never change.

However, after coming to HIM if you want to know HIM even better, study the meanings of HIS biblical NAMES. For me it became fascinating, for I realized how significant each one is. HE becomes all things for us, HIS children.

I suggest to fellow Believers to try and imagine (if you can/will) your own human Father, and the different unique qualities you know about him. He is still your dad, friend, provider, protector, head/boss, etc. All describe his character. It is the same with our heavenly FATHER, except magnified in a greater sense than you/I could ever imagine!

[WISDOM]

Wisdom,

Permission to print this off to share? It touched me on a deeply personal level. I thank God for your insight & wisdom.

Richard1458

Hello Richard:

Thank you very much for the kind words, and by all means PLEASE print to your hearts delight!! I'll pray the HOLY SPIRIT opens the hearts/minds of those you send/give these precious insights.

[Mrs Mac]

Wisdom.......Thanks for sharing about El Olam.

I am a bit wary of the Sacred Name Movement that is why I asked. Your reply was what I'd hoped to hear.

Ethlyn

[WISDOM]

Mrs Mac:

I truly appreciate your "Berean" thinking.....I commend you.