The Names of God

By Tony Ord

Elohim
Elohim is one of the most common names for God. It literally means “Mighty
One, Mighty Creator”. The word conveys the thought “to be feared”. The word Elohim
(occurring over 2000 times) is a plural word (also used for idols) for God, always used of
the One True God.
This has great implications for followers of Jesus today. This word conveys that
God is a community. The triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) have a perfect, loving
relationship with one another. They are in need of nothing. They are fully satisfied in
this relationship.
When God creates humans in Genesis 2, it says “Let US make man in our own
image. Part of the image of God (and there is tremendous teaching about the image of
God and it’s implications for us) is that they live in community. In the New Testament,
Jesus and the apostles continually teach that we are to show agape love to others. Love
that is submissive, humble, and not self-seeking. This is the heart of true Christian
community. We are to love people, even those different from us, even those who are in
obvious, socially shunned sin.

Isaiah 54:4-5 says:

"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

For your Maker is your husband—

the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

These verses show that this Mighty God, who is to be feared, does not want us to
come in fear. Isaiah was written at a time when Israel was in a state of apostasy. They
had walked away from God, and in this book are warned that they will suffer punishment
for their sin. This was fulfilled when the Jews were carried off to Babylon. This chapter
is written to show that God will bring them back and restore the nation of Israel. In this
shame that this nation felt, God said, in a sense “I know I am to be feared, I am all
powerful, but don’t. I will restore you. I will forget the shame of your youth! I will
bring you back to what you first were.”

Other verses to read: Jeremiah 32:26-29, Deuteronomy 8:10-15, Psalm 102:25-26