Psalm 68:19-35, The Awesome God of Israel

The Hebrew term El also appears in other Semitic languages.  The term often is part of proper names, such as “Bethel” (house of God), “Israel” (he struggles with God), and Joel (Yahweh/Jehovah is God).  The root meaning is “strong or mighty;” God is the Mighty.  In Scripture it is frequently accompanied by descriptive terms, in order to elevate the God of Israel above all other gods and to distinguish Him from the El of other languages.  In this post, let us consider some of the truths associated with El.

·       Truths showing God’s superior position generally:  He is the God of heaven (Ps. 136:26), God on high (Job 31:28), God most high (El Elyon, Ps. 78:35), and God who hides Himself (He is known only by self-revelation, Isa. 45:15).

·       Truths showing God’s superiority over other gods: He is the great God (Ps. 77:13), the God who performs miracles (Ps. 77:14), the God of gods (Dan. 11:36), and God of the spirits of all mankind (Num. 16:22; 27:16).

·       Truths showing God’s characteristics: God is faithful (Deut. 7:9), Holy (Isa. 5:16), the God of truth (Ps. 31:5), the Almighty God (El Shaddai; Ezek. 10:5).  He is the mighty God (Isa. 9:6; 10:21; a term that speaks of a heroic or brave person).  He is the God of knowledge (1 Sam. 2:3), glory (Ps. 29:3), and eternity (Gen. 21:23, El Olam). He is the righteous God (Isa. 45:21), a jealous and avenging God (Nahum 1:2), and the living God (Hos. 1:10).  He is “one”, unique, the only Father and Creator (Mal. 2:10).

·       Truths showing God’s personal and intimate relationship with believers: He is the God of Bethel (where Jacob met with Him twice, Gen. 31:13; 35:7).  He is God my Rock (Ps. 42:9), my Savior (Isa. 12:2), and God of my life (Ps. 42:8).  He is God who helps and blesses me (Gen. 49:25).  He is my God (Ps. 89:26).  He is the God who arms me with strength and make my way perfect (2 Sam. 22:33).  And He is God who avenges me (2 Sam. 22:48).

·       Truths showing God’s love for Israel: El begot Israel (Dt. 32:18).  He is their Savior (Ps. 106:21), who brought them from Egypt (Num. 24:8).  He is God of Jeshurun (the righteous people who possess the Law; Dt. 33:26), God of Israel (Gen. 33:20), God who forgives (Ps. 99:8), and God of salvation (Ps. 68:19-20).

·       Truths showing God’s holy distaste for sin: El is the great and terrible God (Neh. 1:5; 4:14; 9:32), God to be greatly feared (Ps. 89:7).  He is the God of retribution (Jer. 51:56) and vengeance (Ps. 94:1), a just judge … angry every day (Ps. 7:11).

In our English translations the term “God” appears over and over again.  Perhaps one lesson from today is to remind us not to let familiarity breed contempt.  As we read the Bible, let us regularly meditate on the true and living God!  Our God!