Hello Beloved,
Today we continue with our study of God’s names, moving to reflect on God Who is the El-Olam. Like many of the other compound names related to “Elohim,” El-Olam consists of the words “El” and “Olam.” Olam is used in Scripture to describe things that are hidden. It could refer to hiddenness in accidentally touching something unclean without one’s awareness (Lev 5:2), unintentional sins of the Israelite community (Lev 4:13), certain sins which some think no one else can see (Ps 90:8), and the Lord’s hiding circumstances from His prophets (2 Kings 4:27).
The term “Olam” can also be used to describe an indefinite time or age (Ex 21:6; Lev 25:32,46; Jos 24:2; Ps 73:12). The word can be translated “for life,” “in this present age,” and “life-time.” The use of the word can also refer to forever or eternity. When used of God, “olam” expresses His eternal duration of being. The Psalmist writes, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting (olam) to everlasting (olam) you are God”
Psalm 90:2 (ESV).
God is eternal or everlasting, which means He has no beginning and no end. This aspect of God’s eternal existence relates closely with Him being the immutable or unchanging One. In God, all the secrets and hidden things dwell. In Scripture, one finds Abraham calling on “El Olam” immediately after he has made a covenant with Abimelech and given Beersheba its name, “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God”
Genesis 21:33 (ESV). The Psalmist speaks to the name “El Olam” in describing the mercy and covenant faithfulness of God toward His people, “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” Psalm 100:5 (ESV). Once again, David connects this name with God’s covenant faithfulness and justice toward those who revere the Lord, “But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children” Psalm 103:17 (ESV).
In Isaiah, the Lord is the “El Olam” who can strengthen His people and lift them up emotionally and spiritually so that they may proverbially soar like eagles. The prophet writes:
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV)
The snow-capped Mount Fuji, with its near conical shape, is a symbol of Japan. Although it has not erupted since 1707, it is listed as an active volcano. But the real concern, a threat to its conical shape, is "erosion." Rockslides and sand slides occur steadily, and some fear that the mountain will one day lose its nearly perfect conical shape. They are building concrete retaining walls where the erosion is most severe. But it is not easy to shore up a mountain! As the hymn-writer says, "Change and decay in all around I see, Thou who changes not, Abide with me.”* As this old world continues to change and decay, let us keep our eyes on the unchanging “El-Olam.” Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
*From Paul Lee Tan’s Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations.