Women In Discipleship
Weekly Devotionals for 2009
TO BEAR HIS NAME - Weekly Insights into the Names of God
(Taken from the To Bear HIs Name Study by Sandra J. Mikler Davis)
El Shaddai
God Almighty is indeed faithful. In the life of Israel (Jacob) we see a testimony of God's faithfulness. In his last days, he shared with Joseph, his son, what God Almighty (El Shaddai) shared with him years before. He also passed this Covenant blessing on to Joseph's two sons: Ephraim and Manasseh. They participated in the Covenant given by God Almighty:
Then Jacob (Israel) said to Joseph, ‘God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me ….now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine’…. Genesis 48:3,5
When Israel (Jacob) was about to depart in peace, he prophesied about each of his sons. In doing so, he shared specifically with each child. These interesting verses give a glimpse into the future of the nation of Israel. The prophecy for Joseph was unique, in that it held both growth and prosperity, and hostility and conflict. Four names of God are mentioned, with "Almighty" (El Shaddai) being the one who "blesses" him. (Genesis 49:22-26)
From the God of your father who helps you, And by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath…. The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; May they be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers. Genesis 49:25,26a
APPLICATION:
- As Jacob (Israel) shared with his sons and grandsons what an awesome God he served, am I sharing with those around me how God has been faithful to me?
- Who in my life has shared with me about God’s integrity and faithfulness?
- Am I able to tell them this week how much I appreciate them?
Sandra Davis, for the team at Women in Discipleship (sm)
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