This is the first in The CRIB's presentation of the Twelve Jewels of God ... a look at the wonderful, powerful, inspirational name of God - El Elyon (God Most High).
Genesis ...
Our first encounter with El Elyon (God Most High) as a name of God is in Genesis 14:17-20 (cp. Hebrews 7:1) ...
This name speaks of God's sovereignty and transcendency; He is ruler of the universe ... He is God Most High, El Elyon!
This name speaks of God's power over the affairs of His people and their enemies. Abram took a small band (slightly more than 300) of shepherds and servants and defeated the armies of four kings.
After all, just who did these upstarts think they were? If God is for you, who then can be against you? [Romans 8:31b] Abram fought for the Captain of the Lord of Hosts ... God Most High! (see also Psalm 21:7; 47:2; 83:18; 97:9; Daniel 4:25, 32)
Consider a life lived while bowing to "the god next to most high" or "the god not so high"? What kind of potential would that life have? Considering the levels of Hell it might be better for the damned to not bow down to anything at all.
We next see Abram rejecting a reward from the king of Sodom in Genesis 14:22, 23...
Numbers ...
In Numbers 24:16 we see even the false prophet Balaam received his oracles from El Elyon ...
Psalms ...
It is Elyon who is seen and heard in the heavens, who controls nature, and reveals Himself with thunder and hail ...
It was the name to which Lucifer aspired ...
Nebuchadnezzar is then found giving recognition to El Elyon after failing to barbecue the God Most High's three servants [3:26]; this is followed by his statement ...
Mark 5:7 reports a demon who calls Jesus, "Son of El Elyon." (see also Luke 8:28) Luke 1:35 reports it is the "power of Elyon" who "overshadows" Mary at the conception (see also Luke 1:32); in 1:76, John the Baptist is identified as "the prophet of Elyon"; and in 6:35, Jesus refers to the Father as Elyon.
And Stephen, in his history lesson to the High Priest and the council, gives testimony to the immensity and creative power of Elyon ...
Can unbelievers do anything but quiver in their guts and shake in their conscience with the knowledge [Romans 1:19] that the God, whom they do not fear, knows that there is no fear of Him before their eyes [3:18]?
Other passages or verses referencing God Most High ; Deu 32:8; Ps 46:4; 57:2; 73:11; 78:11, 56; 82:6; 87:5 ; 91:1, 9; Lam 3:35, 38; Daniel 4:17, 24; 5:18, 21.
Genesis ...
Our first encounter with El Elyon (God Most High) as a name of God is in Genesis 14:17-20 (cp. Hebrews 7:1) ...
Then after [Abram's] return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
He blessed him and said,
"Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand."
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand."
This name speaks of God's sovereignty and transcendency; He is ruler of the universe ... He is God Most High, El Elyon!
This name speaks of God's power over the affairs of His people and their enemies. Abram took a small band (slightly more than 300) of shepherds and servants and defeated the armies of four kings.
After all, just who did these upstarts think they were? If God is for you, who then can be against you? [Romans 8:31b] Abram fought for the Captain of the Lord of Hosts ... God Most High! (see also Psalm 21:7; 47:2; 83:18; 97:9; Daniel 4:25, 32)
Consider a life lived while bowing to "the god next to most high" or "the god not so high"? What kind of potential would that life have? Considering the levels of Hell it might be better for the damned to not bow down to anything at all.
We next see Abram rejecting a reward from the king of Sodom in Genesis 14:22, 23...
Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, 'I have made Abram rich.'Here we see the jealous nature of El Elyon; the creature shouldn't covet what rightfully belongs to God; God defeated Abram's enemies, Abram simply went into battle by faith in his God Most High.
Numbers ...
In Numbers 24:16 we see even the false prophet Balaam received his oracles from El Elyon ...
The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered.This tells us God Most High is sovereign in the works of those who do evil. (see also Psalm 107:11; Acts 16:17)
Psalms ...
It is Elyon who is seen and heard in the heavens, who controls nature, and reveals Himself with thunder and hail ...
The LORD also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.It is Elyon to whom songs are sung and praises given ...Psalm 18:13 (see also 2 Sam 22:14)
I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.It is to Elyon we sacrifice and pay vows ...Psalm 7:17 (see also Psalm 9:2; 92:1)
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the Most High.And Christ is clearly seen as El Elyon in the Psalms ...Psalm 5o:14
Then I said, "It is my grief, That the right hand (a reference to Christ) of the Most High has changed."Psalm 77:10
And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer.Isaiah ...Psalm 78:35
It was the name to which Lucifer aspired ...
"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."Daniel ...Isaiah 14:14
Nebuchadnezzar is then found giving recognition to El Elyon after failing to barbecue the God Most High's three servants [3:26]; this is followed by his statement ...
"It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me."And later, refering to his punishment for extreme hubris, the king said ...Daniel 4:2
"But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation."And in the prophet's inerpretations of his vision of the Last Days, and refering to the antiChrist, he says ...Daniel 4:34
He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.New Testament ...Daniel 7:25
Mark 5:7 reports a demon who calls Jesus, "Son of El Elyon." (see also Luke 8:28) Luke 1:35 reports it is the "power of Elyon" who "overshadows" Mary at the conception (see also Luke 1:32); in 1:76, John the Baptist is identified as "the prophet of Elyon"; and in 6:35, Jesus refers to the Father as Elyon.
And Stephen, in his history lesson to the High Priest and the council, gives testimony to the immensity and creative power of Elyon ...
"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: 'HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET; WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?' says the Lord, 'OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE? 'WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?'"Can believers do anything but humble themselves in the glorious presence of El Elyon, our God Most High, and give Him the glory honor and praise He alone is worthy of?Acts 7:48-50
Can unbelievers do anything but quiver in their guts and shake in their conscience with the knowledge [Romans 1:19] that the God, whom they do not fear, knows that there is no fear of Him before their eyes [3:18]?
Other passages or verses referencing God Most High ; Deu 32:8; Ps 46:4; 57:2; 73:11; 78:11, 56; 82:6; 87:5 ; 91:1, 9; Lam 3:35, 38; Daniel 4:17, 24; 5:18, 21.
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