We live a world that is largely monotheistic, in other words, most people believe that there is just one God. But in the time when Abraham, Moses, the kings, prophets, and even through Jesus’ and the apostles’ time polytheism was a normal view of diety.
There were always some through all of this time that looked to the One True God. But great power was often consolidated under people who served a pantheon of false “gods”. Priests to these various gods would have held a certain amount of sway in culture and society.
One name of God, “El Elyon”, seems to point to the Absolute Sovereignty of Jehovah. He is God (El) Most High (Elyon).
A couple of the contexts where this name of God is used make the point of God’s Absolute Sovereignty very clear. Then a few others point to God’s “highness” as a position of advantage for those who call on Him. Let’s take a look at a few of these and then draw some applications for our prayer life.
Melchizedek
In Genesis 14 Abram’s nephew, Lot, is captured in a raid on Sodom. When Abram hears about this he gets the men in his camp together and they go and rescue all the people and stuff that were taken in the raids. In the recovery from this battle a priest enters the scene as the “priest of the most high God”
Genesis 14:18-24
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God (El Elyon).” Genesis 14:18
Melchizedek holds a special place as priest and king. While not a lot is known of him as a person the Bible shows that he is significant in the truths that this encounter illustrate (Hebrews 5-7).
Melchizedek uses this name twice in talking to Abram (v. 19-20). Then Abram uses God’s names, El Elyon, clarifying what is this means in verse 22. Abram makes it clear that Jehovah is the El Elyon, “most high God.”
“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD (Jehovah), the most high God (El Elyon), the possessor of heaven and earth,” Genesis 14:22
No one could claim this victory for their “god”, this victory belonged to Jehovah alone.
Nebuchadnezzar
This name for God is used a number of other places in scripture. But one of the most interesting is when it is used by and around king Nebuchadnezzar.
Nebuchadnezzar had just commissioned an idol to be made of himself so that all the land could worship him. But after watching God’s faithful servants survive the furnace he had intended for their death, he went as close to the furnace as he dared and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth” Dan 3:26
After all he had seen he had to admit that the God these Hebrews served was El Elyon.
Rival gods
This name of God leaves no question about God’s claim to be greater than any idol.
God’s works are real and powerful.
God’s competition is imaginary and inanimate.
Psalm 135 includes this claim about God:
“5 For I know that the LORD is great, And that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, That did he in heaven, and in earth, In the seas, and all deep places.” Psalm 135:5–6
Verse 5 uses a different word for “above” than “Elyon” but the idea is clear. This is made even more clear in some of the passage that follows.
“15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not; 17 They have ears, but they hear not; Neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 They that make them are like unto them: So is every one that trusteth in them.” Psalm 135:15–18
There is no rival to God. He is “God Most High”. There is no help greater than His help.
Praying to The Most High God
Psalm 57 is a prayer of David that catches hold of the pictures of this name of God and uses them in prayer in a way that I think we can take inspiration from for our prayer.
Verses 1, 4 and 6 of this psalm show that David is overwhelmed and needs help. David is hiding in a cave from the anger and instability of King Saul. And though his is in a cave David is calling out to God Most High. In verse 2 he boldly says,
“I will cry unto God most high (El Elyon) ; Unto God that performeth all things for me.” Psalm 57:2
He is confident in God’s help (v3). His heart is fixed on God and he purposes to praise Him. Though he is in great peril, his main concern is that God is praised. Notice the sentiment of verses 5 (verse 11 repeats these words) and 7:
“Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let thy glory be above all the earth.” Psalm 57:5
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” Psalm 57:7
Application:
God is above our solutions:
There is no greater help for us than the One True God. There is no more sure person or “god” to put our trust in than the one true God.
We can plot and strategize but there is no substitute for God’s perspective or His solutions. We risk setting up idols in our lives when we seek help from others that should only be sought from God.
God is above our problems:
Look for your answered prayer to come only from on high, and feel free to praise God for Who He Is even before the answer comes.
There is no problem that God cannot solve, no battle He cannot win, no need He cannot meet.
Our earthbound perspective tends to lead us to earthbound solutions or earthbound depression. God reigns on High. High above our biggest concerns.
Studying and Application:
- What is the definition of an idol?
- What people or resources do you go to when you’re overwhelmed? Do you ever go to them when you should be going to God Most High?
- Purpose to praise God. Even when the answer to what overwhelms you hasn’t come.
- Review your prayer list. Take a minute to add any new requests now.
