Names of God
Genesis 1:1 - ELOHIM - (“Strong One”)
1 In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth.
2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water.
The Ruach Elohim was hovering over the water.
3 Then Elohim said, “Let there be light!” So, there was light.
4 Elohim saw the light was good. So, Elohim separated the light from the darkness.
5 Elohim named the light day, and the darkness he named night. There was evening, then morning—the first day.
God identifies Himself as Elohim thirty-five times at the start of Scripture. In fact, it is the only name used for God from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3. Other names comes later in His personal revelation of His character throughout His Word, but we find an emphatic referral to Elohim in the beginning. One reason I believe such a focus is put on this particular name of God could be that He wants us to understand first and foremost His power. The literal translation of the name Elohim means “strong one.” It has to do with both God’s sovereignty and His authority, reflecting the greatness of His power.
Another interesting fact associated with the name Elohim is its direct tie to God as the Creator God. “In the beginning, Elohim (the strong One) created ….” The term “created” is only used of God in the Bible; it is not used of men. This is because men reconfigure, recalibrate, or reform things. We do not create out of nothing. We lack the power, ingenuity and ability to create from nothing. God, on the other hand, creates from nothing – ex nihilo. (Hebrews 11:3)
Friend, in whatever situation you are facing today in your life, I want to encourage you to remember the name Elohim. The strong One does not need raw material with which to work. He doesn’t need logic or tangible solutions in order to accomplish His goal. All He needs is Himself, and all you need is faith in His name that He can do all that He purposes to do.
Remember and call on His name. Elohim can create something out of nothing. He’s done it before, and He continues to do it to this day - Excerpted from The Power of God’s Names, Dr. Tony Evans, Harvest House Publishers (2014)