September 23rd, 2021 – Late Thursday Evening
“Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth…” ~Genesis 14:22
Last time, we focused on the aspect of God’s ownership of everything based on how He is described in similar verses to this one. Here, let us take a look at another aspect of God’s character that we are reminded of here by Abram – His absolute authority, His supreme sovereignty, and His utter prowess as the one true God.
Notice that in previous verses (Genesis 14:19-20) Melchizedek the king of Salem (and the priest of God) used the same phrase that Abram does here; the LORD is not only described as the “Possessor of heaven and earth”, but also as “God Most High”. To better understand what this means, let’s take a look at the Hebrew word that is translated “Most High”: The Hebrew word “elyon” (pronounced “el-yone”) is used a number of times in the Old Testament. It has a few different meanings that are dependent on the context surrounding each use, but they all have to do with the idea of “high” (Deuteronomy 26:19), “upper” (Isaiah 36:2), and “highest” (Psalm 89:27). The word is used most frequently of the LORD and it becomes a noun (when so used) that means “Supreme”, “Highest”, or “Most High” (2 Samuel 22:14).
Therefore, when we combine “elyon” with “el” (the word for “God”), we get the full term/name “Most High God” or “God Most High”. What does this mean about the LORD? First, the LORD has no equal. Over and over and over again throughout Scripture, we see this reiterated; there is no one – animal, human, or angel – who compares to the LORD. He alone is the Highest. Second, the LORD stands apart from all other gods since He is the Most High God; no other god – worshipped by man or imagined in someone’s mind – holds a candlestick to the Great I Am. All other gods are false gods that fall down before the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (literally; check out 1 Samuel 5:1-5 for an example). Finally, when you look back at Abram’s description in our passage today, the LORD God Most High is also the possessor of heaven and earth. This harkens us to the fact that not only is the LORD the only true God who is the Highest and who has no equal, but that He is the only One of His kind (so to speak). There is no other god, truly, but Him; and, there is no one like Him because He is completely different – not even remotely describable in our finite terms.
What do we do with such wonderful knowledge? How do we respond to the reality of just how holy and Almighty the LORD Most High really is? First, we ought to bow down in reverent and awesome worship! Second, (remember that this same Most High God is the One who has reconciled us {or at least given us the opportunity to be reconciled} to Himself through the Lord Jesus Christ) our lives ought to be vessels for His glory and honor – emptied for His purposes and filled with His Spirit.
Listen! THIS IS GOD MOST HIGH, THE LORD, THE SUPREME, THE HIGHEST, THE CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!!! Give Him the praise that He is due! Laud and exalt Him! Serve Him with gladness! Make known His deeds among the nations! Hallelujah!
Oh Father! Help our lives to reflect Your glory! Give this feeble body more of Your presence and power, through Your Spirit, in order that I might be a vessel for Your honor. You are so worthy! You are so good! May Your name be forever glorified and lifted high above every other!