Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90:2
El Olam - The Everlasting God. We find this name first in Genesis 21. Isaac is finally born and now Abraham is looking forward to possessing the land God has promised. Some pretty crazy things have happened in the last few chapters of Genesis since God revealed Himself as El Shaddai - the Lord Almighty in chapter 17. It looks like now though, things are starting to look up.
Abraham made a covenant with Abimelech. Abraham would not deal harshly with Abimelech and Abimelech would give back Abraham's well.Then verse 33 says, "And Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God."
Things are good. Then in the very next chapter, Abraham is tested by God. He is to take his son, his only son Isaac, the son that will bring the many descendants, and offer him as a burnt offering. The very next verse says Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey and went to go just as the Lord said to do.
There is not one mention of Abraham talking back to God, arguing, whining, questioning. Abraham has made some pretty poor choices, he is not perfect. So why this time, when he is asked to sacrifice his son, does he submit so willingly?
I think it is because God just revealed to him that He is El Olam, the Everlasting God. He does not change. He was and is and is to come. If this is true, which it is, then when Abraham is to sacrifice his son, he can trust that God will act on his behalf.
In Genesis 22:8, when Isaac asked where the lamb was for the burnt offering, Abraham said "God will provide for Himself the lamb." Hebrews 11:19 says that Abraham believed God could bring someone back from the dead. Abraham knew that no matter what happened on that mountain, the Everlasting God would not fail him. God had made a promise and was going to keep it.
As Abraham trusted God as El Olam - The Everlasting God, he was able to walk by faith through probably one of the most difficult days of his life. As he walked by faith, God revealed more of His character to Abraham. This is when God showed Himself as Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. (God provided the ram for the sacrifice in place of Isaac).
I believe God is asking us to walk by faith in the knowledge of who He is. As we walk by faith, He unveils more of His character and we are strengthened for this journey we travel. Step by step.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the name of the Lord is Everlasting, you are safe.
Rich Mullins - Step by Step
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