What's in a Name? - 21

EL CHAY (el HI-EE) - The Living God

“This title sets Israel’s God apart from the false gods of the surrounding nations.” ^[1]

            In Jeremiah 10:14, the prophet reminds Israel that “every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them”.  We know that at times it can be frustrating to serve an unseen God. Sometimes we just want to be able to see him and walk with him and have a conversation with him face to face, but that wouldn’t require faith. This is the way God set it up. So don’t you know that mortal man thought he would remedy this issue by created for himself his own gods made of wood, metal, or stone. They say nothing and can do nothing, but the clincher for these folks was that it could be seen and touched. They would also not oppose anything they deemed important to say or do. They were lifeless. 

What do you think it would be like to pray to a god that was deaf and dumb? Therefore, El Chay was continuously warning the Israelites about worshipping false. Not only was he wanting to be the only god Israel would turn to, pray to and worship, but he also knew worshipping idols would get them nowhere, but into trouble.

            Jeremiah 10:10a says what we all have come to trust and believe clearly and precisely: “… the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King.” Matthew 16:16 says: “Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”  Daniel 6:26 says: “I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.” Though a spiritual being, not experienced with any of our senses, God is still very much alive as depicted in scripture. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his Name & for his Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] The Names of God, Ann Spangler, Zondervan, 2009, p.91.