Rabbi Michael Vowell of Congregation Beth Messiah of Houston.
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In Jewish thought, a name is not merely an arbitrary designation, a random combination of sounds. In our modern western culture, names do little more than distinguish this person from that person. Yet, in Jewish culture a name conveys the nature and essence of the thing named. The lover says, “Your name is poured out like perfume” (SOS 1:3). A name is not just a trivial label in Jewish thinking, it represents the history, reputation, fragrance and power of the being named.

God could have remained anonymous. He could have said stayed hidden in darkness, shrouded in mystery but from the very beginning God wanted to be known. He made His name known to beings whose names could never match His in power, worth, or authority.

Knowing God’s names is critical to our comprehension and application of the strength and victory that come through His multidimensional nature. God wants us to come face-to-face with His power and majesty. In fact, throughout the Bible, when God revealed a new aspect of His character to His people, He often did this by revealing a new name. God had a name to meet the need of any situation ancient Israel may have come up against. Not just them, but whatever our present situation, God has a name that fits it.

William Sanford LaSor says, “To learn a person’s name is to enter into a relationship with his very being.” My hope is that through this series of messages, you will be introduced to God as if for the first time— through His names. You will come to know Him in ways you haven’t previously known. My hope isn’t merely that you will learn how to pronounce some of His names, but rather that His name will be like perfume poured out before you. When you identify and understand which name relates to your particular situation, you will be able to connect with God’s power to deliver you in that situation.

This series The Names of God

PART 1 - EL SHADDAI

Song of Solomon 1:3, 13; Exodus 6:3; Genesis 17:1, 3, 15-21; 49:25; Isaiah 66:12-13; Ephesians 3:20-21; Ruth 1:20-21; 4:16-17

Rabbi Michael Vowell

It is El Shaddai who overrules your insufficiency with His sufficiency. He sustains life, who pours divine life into barren souls and creates abundant fruit. It is El Shaddai’s work to make that which was once desolated into a fruitful land, to turn hopeless into hope, to turn bareness into new life. It is El Shaddai’s joy to comfort all who are down trodden, discouraged, waiting for promises. It is El Shaddai’s who causes the light to shine forth on the dark horizons just beyond where all hope seemed lost, El Shaddai shows hope has just begun. To encounter El Shaddai is to encounter the inexhaustible stores of His bounty, of the riches and fullness of His grace in self-sacrificing love pouring itself out for others. El Shaddai never wearies of pouring His mercies and blessings upon His people.

This video recorded 01/17/2018

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