Titles of God: Understanding God (Part 2)

GOD

The word transliterated as (El), is one of the most ancient terms for "God", appearing most frequently in Genesis; Job; Psalms; and Isaiah....and not at all in some books of the OT. It is frequently used with other nouns or modifiers, to lend description and identity to the word. [eg., man of God; house of God; ark of God; rod of God; angel of God; etc]. All of these demonstrate origin and authority, but also ownership and possession.

PERSONAL GOD

 God is more specifically identified by relationship. [eg. the God of Abraham; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God of Israel (God is identified more than 100 times, as the personal God of Abraham; Isaac; and Jacob)].

GENERATIONAL GOD

When referred to in relation to persons, or nations, God defines Himself as not only as a personal God, but He is also a generational God, continuing the relationship that He has established, with the descendants of those He has chosen to represent Him, and He to represent them. In other words, God, is a God of covenant, desirous of developing long term relationships with people.

GOD CHOSE

Most extraordinary, in relation to Israel, is that they did not choose Him to be their God, but He chose them to be His people, and by "default", He became their God!

EL

 "El", in some form, occurs in every ancient Semitic language except Ethiopic, and it is the most frequently occurring name for deity. In Semitic languages, the term "El", was used to reference a personal "god", and not merely a generic term.

Generally, the word means "power"; "strength"; or "might", and is translated using such terminology in numerous portions of the scripture, with no specific reference to deity:

"...it is in the power of my hand to do you hurt..." (Gen.31:29)

"...and there shall be no might in your hand.." (Deut.28:32)

"...neither is it in our power to redeem them..." (Neh.5:5)

"...give to the Lord, O you mighty, give to the Lord glory and strength..." (Ps.29:1)

"...withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.." (Prov.3:27)

"...Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand" (Micah 2:1)

THE HIGH GOD

El is the high god in some cultures, as evidenced from ancient texts. "El", is used over 200 times in the OT, being especially dominant in Genesis, the book of beginnings, meaning, that from the beginning, "He is God".

TITLES

We can begin to understand God, by the descriptive "titles" or names identified with Him. [The following titles may be used several times in scripture, but only one is referenced].

He is:

The Most High God (Gen.14:18); The God who Sees me [watches over me] (Gen.16:13); The Living God (Josh.3:10);The God of Gods (Josh.22:22); The Almighty God (Gen.17:1);The Everlasting God (Gen.21:33); The God of Israel (Gen.33:20); A Jealous God (Ex.20:5); A Merciful God (Ex.34:6); A Faithful God (Deut.7:9); The Terrible God (Deut.7:21) [meaning awesome, to be feared and reverenced]; The God of Truth (Deut.32:4); The Living God (Josh.3:10); The God of Gods(Josh.22:22); The God of Knowledge (1 Sam.2:3); The God of My Strength (2 Sam.22:33); The Great God (Job 36:26); God My Avenger (Ps.18:47); The God of Glory (Ps.29:3); The God of My Life (Ps.42:8); God My Rock (Ps.42:9); God My Joy (Ps.43:4); The God of Salvation (Ps.68:20); The God of Wonders (Ps.77:14); God My Redeemer (Ps.78:35); The God of Compassion (Ps.86:15); The God of Vengeance (Ps.94:1); The God of Forgiveness (Ps.99:8); The God of Heaven and Earth (Ps.136:26); The Holy God (Is.5:16); God with Us (Is.7:14); God the Lord (Gen.14:22); God is Good (Ps.52:1); God is My Father (Ps.89:26); The Only God (Is.46:9); The Gracious God (Jon.4:2); God, the Creator (Mal.2:10); God, the Judge (Gen.30:6); God of the Hebrews (Ex.3:18); God of the Spirits of all Flesh (Num.16:22); God My Deliverer (Deut.2:33); God My Fighter (Deut.3:22); God, a Consuming Fire ( Deut.4:24); A Covenant God (Deut.5:2); God of Blessing (Deut.12:7); The Eternal God (Deut.33:27); God Our Refuge (Deut.33:27); The God of Armies (1 Sam.17:45); The Lord [God] of Hosts (2 Sam.7:27); The God who Keeps Covenant and Mercy (1 Kgs.8:23); The God of Love (2 Chr.9:8); God Our Captain (2 Chr.13:12); God Our Help (2 Chr.25:8); God Our Prosperity (2 Chr.26:5); God of Righteousness (Ps.4:1); God My King (Ps.5:2); God My Defence (Ps.7:10); God of Loving-kindness (Ps.36:7); God of Power (Ps.66:3); God My Teacher (Ps.71:17); God My Shield (Ps.84:9); God of Light (Is.60:19); God Who Rejoices Over Me (Is.62:5).

GOD'S CHARACTER

Though not an exhaustive list, these titles give us at least 60 different aspects of God's character and nature, in relation to us, His people.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours