THE PANTOCRATOR

EXODUS 6:1–12

I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the Lord [Yahweh] I did not make Myself known to them

(Exodus 6:3).

The Hebrew for God Almighty is El Shaddai. This phrase has been given several meanings by scholars: The All-Sufficient One, The Thundered, The Mountain-Like One, The Overpowerer. But all these translations point to the same thing: God is the All-Powerful, the All-Ruler, which in Greek is Pantocrator. One of the most important names the early church gave to Jesus was Pantocrator. All-Powerful All-Ruler.

God revealed His name as Almighty to the patriarchs because He was making promises to them. They could trust Him because He is all powerful. God explains in Exodus 6 that the name Yahweh is associated with faithfulness, because at that time God was going to fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs. Moses could trust God because He is faithful. In the kingdom period, the name Adonai came to prominence, to remind Israel of their real King. In the Exile and postexilic period, when Israel was small and ruled by mighty empires, God brought into focus the name Lord of Hosts (Lord Sabaoth, which the niv renders Lord Almighty), to remind them that God’s army is the mightiest of all.

As we approach God in worship, we should remember that He is Almighty and tremble before Him. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and thus also of worship. When Job cried out to God, God revealed His power, and Job found great comfort in the Almighty (Job 38–42). When we see men rise up against God and try to warp His design for society and destroy His church, we should join in God’s laughter, because the Almighty has them in derision (Psalm 2). Thus, God’s power causes us a holy fear, a great comfort, and finally leads us to laughter and joy.

The new name God gives in the Gospel is Jesus, the Savior. And what a Savior He is. He is the faithful, almighty, promise-keeping Yahweh. He is the Master who rules all. He is the Lord of Armies. Do we lose heart when it looks as if God is not going to keep His promises? Remember that He is the Almighty. When we are the most vulnerable, we can trust ourselves to Him, knowing that all His power is at work on our behalf.

CORAM DEO

2 Kings 21–22

Take some time today to reflect on the names of God mentioned in this and previous lessons. What impact on your own life do these names make? Strive by God’s grace to make the changes in your life which should flow from this impact.

For further study: Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 35:11 • Psalm 91

wednesday

june