El Elyon
Genesis 1, Genesis 14:18-20, Psalm 57:1-3
The first time we hear El Elyon is in Genesis 14:18-20; In Hebrew, ‘El’ = God and ‘Elyon’ = Most High. When Abram rescues his nephew and possessions after a LONG battle between nations and their allies, Melchizedek came to Abram and expressed to him:
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!
This isn’t the first time we see this truth played out though. From Genesis 1, God has been working and intentional in creation, simply in the way he had created the world. So why do we need to call him the most high if all his creation cries his name? Well, it’s because we are in a broken world and are forgetful people. Often our world changes and we are most likely on the receiving end - wondering, “God. where are you?” In speaking the truth that he is above all we bring light to His character and power. He is the POSSESSOR of heaven and earth, not just creator. Doesn’t that truth alone bring life to you? The fact that we can call upon and have access to our God, El Elyon, as a God who is above and sovereign over all? That we are claimed and seen as worthy, that we are God’s possession? We see God as the Most High when David calls to him in Psalm 57:1-3
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge, in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
Just because he is the most high does not mean that he is removed from what we experience here on earth. As the possessor and creator of heaven and earth, he understands what our world was created for and what it is. We can embrace the truth in declaring God to be El Elyon that He is deliverer, merciful, and satisfies. In declaring that He is Most High we also proclaim that he is fullness and lacks nothing so we can turn to him with all the ways we feel incomplete - that God Most High can meet our needs.
Reflect on this today:
Give THANKS to El Elyon - the God Most High. Give thanks to him that he sustains and gives us all we need
In what ways is it hard to believe that God is the sovereign over your circumstances?
How can you trust and move into faith that God is with you and above it all?
