The names of God: Elohim

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.   Genesis 1:1 NIV

Elohim is the first name of God used in the Bible. The Bible doesn’t try to prove the existence of God, but merely states his existence as a fact. In the beginning God (Elohim)…

Elohim is more of a general term for God, than a name. It isn’t specifically used as the God of any particular religion, including Jews and Christians. Elohim is used for the supreme creator as well as the gods of the nations.

The importance of Elohim is that God has revealed himself to all people through what has been created.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.  Psalms 19:1-4 NIV

Have we ever considered that everyone everywhere, including the remotest places on the planet, has a concept of worshipping God? God has revealed himself in what has been made and within the conscience of man so that we are without excuse. We have been made to worship Him.

Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.   Romans 1:19-20 NIV

Although Paul wrote these verses in Greek and used the Greek word Theos, it is clear that if he had written in Hebrew he would have used Elohim.

Knowing the name of God – Elohim – we are called to worship the supreme creator of the heavens and the earth. This worship affects the way we live to please him in every way, and not merely a time of worship at certain hours within a religious building. Every time we go outside and admire creation we ought to be drawn to him – Elohim  – who created it.