El Shaddai, a worship song written by Michael Card and John Thompson, features many Hebrew words in its lyrics. It won “Song of the Year” and Michael Card won “Songwriter of the Year” at the 1983 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. The title of the song came from Genesis 17:1 and Exodus 6:3.
Refusing to free the Jews, the Pharaoh of Egypt challenged, “Who is the Lord?” (Exodus 5:1-2). God responded, revealed, and reaffirmed His covenant identity: “I am Yahweh—‘the Lord.’ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’ ” (Exodus 6:2-3).
The four affirmations of God’s proper name, “YHWH”—transliterated “Yahweh” and rendered as “I am the Lord” (Exodus 6:2,6,7-8)—underscore His absolute sovereignty and authority. The seven “I will” statements affirm His faithful resolve to carry out His redemption plan: “I will free you . . . and will rescue you from your slavery. . . . I will redeem you . . . . I will claim you as My own people, and I will be your God. . . . I will bring you into the land . . . . I will give it to you as your very own possession” (Exodus 6:6-8).
Revealing Himself as “El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’ ” (Exodus 6:3), He wants us to know that He is the preexistent and self-existent, self-sufficient and all-sufficient, all-powerful and all-bountiful YHWH! He wants us to know Him as our Deliverer (Exodus 6:7).
The chorus of El-Shaddai states: “ El-Shaddai, El-Shaddai (God Almighty), El-Elyon na Adonai (God Most High). Age to age You’re still the same, by the power of the name. El-Shaddai, El-Shaddai, erkamka na Adonai. I will praise You till I die. El-Shaddai. ”
Erkamka na Adonai (based on the Hebrew words of Psalm 18:1) is our rightful response: It means, “I love you, Lord.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 4:1-17
More:
Read Genesis 17:1, 28:3, 35:11, 43:14, 48:3 to see how God reveals Himself as “El-Shaddai.” What do these passages teach you about God?
Next:
The Jews didn’t believe God was El-Shaddai because “they had become too discouraged by their slavery” (Exodus 6:9). How does life’s pain cause us to doubt God’s power and goodness? How should we respond to God?
sheridan voysey on February 4, 2013 at 7:57 am
Thanks for this reminder of the Who behind the classic song, KT. I love that last line.
winn collier on February 5, 2013 at 4:25 pm
‘I love you, Lord’ as our response – yes, yes.
mike wittmer on February 7, 2013 at 8:39 am
“Who is the Lord?” is the most important question we can ask. But unlike Pharaoh, we must ask it honestly, not in disdain, and be ready to move on it when we learn the answer.
daisymarygoldr on February 13, 2013 at 9:27 pm
Good post, KT! A covenant is between two parties and requires commitment from both.
God: “I am God Almighty”
Our response: “I love you, Lord.”
God: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”
Our response: “Lord, what do you want me to do?”
God: “Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.” Genesis 17:1
God gave this command not only to Abraham. Moses repeated it to Israel; “But you must be blameless before the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 18:13)
Lest we think this covenant requirement is only for rule-keeping folks of the OT, Peter reminds us to “make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.” (2 Peter 3:14). It does not suffice to simply sing “I love you”. If we love God, then let us obey His commandments.