El Shaddai

Bill Bryan explains the meaning of God's name "El-Shaddai," literally meaning "All-Sufficient One," and the implications of this powerful truth.

God’s Covenant with Abraham

• Genesis 17:1-6
• God appears to Abraham, establishes His covenant, and promises to multiply his descendants
• God changes Abram's name to Abraham, symbolizing his role as the father of many nations

Review of Abraham’s Journey

• A review of earlier chapters in Genesis (12, 13, 15) highlighting God's promises to Abraham
• Abraham's wavering faith in Genesis 16, including the birth of Ishmael through Hagar

God’s Intervention in Abraham’s Life

• At age 99, Abraham is reminded of God's covenant despite Ishmael’s existence
• God changes Abram’s name to Abraham as a symbol of His promise

The Name El Shaddai

• God introduces Himself to Abraham as "El Shaddai" (God Almighty)
• The meaning of El Shaddai, focusing on sufficiency and sustenance
• The significance of the word "Shaddai" as relating to nourishment and sustenance, particularly the image of a mother nursing a child

Application to Abraham’s Situation

• Reflection on how Abraham needed to trust in God's sufficiency
• God’s promise to be a "Sufficient Sustainer" for Abraham in a time of hopelessness

New Testament Perspective

• Romans 4:19, where Paul reflects on Abraham’s faith despite his old age and Sarah’s barrenness

God's Sufficiency in Hopeless Situations

• How Abraham recognized his own inadequacy and learned to trust in God's sufficiency

Application to Isaac

• Isaac, Abraham’s son, also recognizes God as El Shaddai in blessing Jacob (Genesis 28)

Jacob’s Life and God’s Promise

• God reveals Himself to Jacob as El Shaddai (Genesis 35), promises fruitfulness and nations through him
• Continuation of the theme of God's sufficiency throughout Jacob’s trials

Jacob's Final Blessing to His Sons

• Jacob’s blessings to his children in Genesis 48 and 49
• He recalls God’s sufficiency and faithfulness

Psalm 91

• Psalm 91:1-2, substituting “Almighty” with “El Shaddai” and “God” with “Elohim”

Final Reflection on El Shaddai

• The need to abide in God's shadow
• Walk blamelessly before Him to experience His sufficiency

Conclusion

• God’s command to Abraham to "walk before me and be blameless" as a response to His revelation as El Shaddai
• Encouragement to trust in God's sufficiency and abide in His shadow

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.