God Reveals Himself through His name and promises: Elohim

“In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2, Christian Standard Bible)

Who is Elohim, and why do we need to know His name?

Let me begin with what led me to search for God’s name and His character. About a year ago, every member of my family and church family experienced many storms, especially grief, over the course of six months. Sometimes, we don’t want to talk about our grief because thinking about it makes us relive the anguish we feel. Many times, we choose to ignore it and act like nothing is wrong.

Unfortunately, grief is very real, and it is painful. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It’s something we cannot ignore; we wish it away overnight to meet the demands of our daily lives. We need to work through it. But rest assured—you can overcome your grief. God doesn’t expect you to go through it alone. He promises to be with us every step of the way. We must learn to discover God’s plans to get through the grief process and come out on the other side. Joy and hope lie beyond our season of grieving.

But how do we begin to grieve without losing ourselves and becoming bitter or discouraged? Well, it all starts in the beginning. So, I began to ask the Lord to show me who He is and help me to abide in Him and take refuge in Him. When you want to know someone and establish a friendship or relationship, you try to get to know that person. The same is true with God. He gave us His Word so we can get to know Him and draw near to Him. So, let’s start from the beginning; the first time we meet God.

In Genesis 1, we encounter the first name God used in creation. The name He used was Elohim, our Creator. Elohim created things that did not previously exist, to be. Genesis 1:1-5 describes how Elohim initiated the beginning of all creation and the progression of time, which only began when He spoke. ”

Genesis 1: 6-7 says, “Then God said, “Let there be a expand between the waters separating water from water.” So God [Elohim] made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse “sky.” Evening came and then morning: the second day.”

Elohim had no beginning and no end. Everything He created was out of nothing. He called into being the heavens and the earth and then filled them with the matter of created things (land, vegetation, water, and finally, men).

During my years in medical school, I learned that everything that has mass and volume, can be measured, and takes up space is considered matter. So, if matter takes up space and can be weighed, what can we learn about Elohim? He existed beyond time, space, and matter and is not subject to the limitations of His creation. What does that mean? It means that Elohim exists in another dimension from the world He created, without qualification. He is able to say, “To whom will you compare me, or who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up and see! Who created these? He brings out the stars by number, he calls all of them by name.” (Isaiah 40:25-26 CSB)

In what ways does Elohim differ from His creation?

Elohim is distinct in time. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). You can see that God created everything in the beginning. That means God created time. He is eternal. He existed before time was established. You and I are not bound by time in heaven.
Elohim existed before time and space were created by Him.
Elohim predated matter or the physical world we know. For Elohim to be outside of time, space, and matter, He had to exist in another dimension because our dimension is bound by time, space, and matter. We don’t understand Him because we are limited by time, space, and matter. Reading and studying God’s Word is the only way to begin to understand His realm. Only through His name and His word can we understand who God is.

Characteristics of Elohim:

He is transcendent— He exists outside time, space, and matter.
He is Omnipresent—He is everywhere, present at the same time.
He is personal—not a distant Father. (“Then God said, “let there be light,” and there was light.

In Jeremiah 23:23-24, we read, “Am I a God who is only near”- this is the Lord’s declaration- “and not a God who is far away? Can a person hide in secret where I cannot see him?”- the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?”- the Lord’s declaration.

Elohim is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the Bible’s opening sentence. When we pray to Elohim, we are reminded that He is the source of creation, having made the heavens and the earth. The name of Elohim reveals to us God’s power, authority, and sovereignty.

Beloved, be encouraged; God (Elohim) is not energy; He is personal, and therefore, He invites you and me to come to Him, talk to Him, and bring our cares, worries, and pain to Him because He loves and cares for us. When we pray, let us call Him by name, knowing He is not only our Creator but also sovereign and has the power and authority to create and bring into existence what seems impossible for us. We may walk through the fire but not burn; we may face a raging storm, but we will not drown because Elohim will walk us through it.

Elohim, my Lord, my Creator. You are sovereign and mighty. Thank you for revealing Your character to us through creation and Your Word. Help me always remember that when things seem to be impossible, You, Elohim, can bring something into existence out of chaos as You did when You created the heavens and the earth. Let all creation reveal Your glory and Your sovereignty. Everything You do is good. In Jesus’s name, I love You, and thank You, amen.