Page 9 - May 2026 - Truth & Tidings

El Shaddai as the One who can cause men ditional dimensions of this name. Psalm
to show mercy and preserve life (43:14). In 91 presents Shaddai as a refuge and place
these passages we learn El Shaddai is the of security: “He that dwelleth in the se-
God with the power to sustain His people cret place of the most High shall abide
and keep His promise across generations. under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psa
And each new generation must learn in 91:1). In the Prophets the name appears
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turn to trust Him. in contexts of judgment, emphasizing
Job: El Shaddai’s Sovereignty that God’s power cannot be ignored or
resisted. The same God who sustains life
and Sufficiency acts decisively to establish righteousness.
Job contains more references to Shaddai Shaddai is terrifying to the rebellious, and
than any other book of Scripture. Here tender to those who trust Him. The same
the name highlights God’s absolute sov- Almighty whose voice shakes nations
ereignty, even when His purposes are becomes a sheltering shadow to those who
hidden and His ways are painful. dwell in His presence.
Job and his friends repeatedly acknowl-
edge Shaddai as the One who governs all Knowing El Shaddai
things. His power is unquestioned. Yet The use of Shaddai in Scripture reveals a
this power doesn’t always seem comfort- God who is fully sufficient in Himself and
ing. Job speaks of the arrows of Shaddai fully able to accomplish all He intends. His
and struggles to reconcile God’s might power is not reactive, dependent or lim-
with his own suffering: “For the arrows ited. At the same time, His power is to be
of the Almighty are within me, the poison enjoyed – in a trusting, tender relationship
whereof drinketh up my spirit” (Job 6:4). with Him. He invites His people to walk
Job doesn’t deny God’s greatness; his before Him and to live in dependence
struggle is reconciling that greatness to upon Him.
his present pain. El Shaddai reassures us of His sufficiency
Job doesn’t receive a detailed explana- and our weakness. As our plans fail, our
tion for his suffering, but, far better, he strength fades, or answers seem delayed,
encounters the living God. He confesses, His name gently reminds us that His pur-
“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the poses do not rise or fall with our capacity
ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (42:5). or understanding. El Shaddai is always able
The revelation of Shaddai does not remove to sustain, produce spiritual fruit and keep
the mystery of his suffering, but it reori- His promises.
ents Job’s understanding. Knowing God To know our God as El Shaddai is to rest
proves more sustaining than knowing securely and confidently in His strength,
answers. This should guard us against a
shallow view of divine power and remind not our own. It is to trust a God who is
us that El Shaddai is sovereign, even when mighty enough to rule all things and
His ways are past our finding out. tender enough to nourish us personally
with what we need. Is it evident in our
Psalms and Prophets: El lives that we know El Shaddai?
Shaddai’s Safety and Security 3 The name Shaddai is found in Isaiah, Ezekiel

The Psalms and Prophets highlight ad- and Joel.

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