Intentional Thursday (Elohim)

The Devotion lesson of today’s Intentional Thursday is found in Genesis 1:1-10, 31 with the Key Scripture being 1:1

Key Scripture: In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth
[Genesis 1:1]

Let’s dig into today’s Devotional Lesson entitled “Elohim”

UNDERSTANDING THE NAME ELOHIM (e-lo-HEEM) [God, Mighty Creator] is the plural form of El or Eloah, one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the true God or to pagan gods. Though El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is used more than 2,500 times. Its plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. He is the God of gods, the highest of all. Christians may also recognize in this plural form a hint of the Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ELOHIM occurs thirty-two times in the first chapter of Genesis. After that the name Yahweh appears as well and is often paired with ELOHIM and, in the NIV, the two together are translated "the Lord God'

Elohim is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the very first sentence of the Bible. When we pray to Elohim, we remember that he is the one who began it all, creating the heavens and the earth and separating light from darkness, water from dry land, night from day. This ancient name for God contains the idea of God's creative power as well as his authority and sovereignty. Jesus used a form of the name in his agonized prayer from the cross. "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' — which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' " [Psalm 22:1 NIV].

Instrumental music courtesy: JaQuan Little