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The Law of First Mention The story is told of a man who took his rather large Rottweiler to the vet—nothing life threatening, like dog food—but to check about another condition. He asked the doctor, "Can you do anything for my dog—he has been cross-eyed since he was born and I just thought maybe something could be done?" "Well," said the vet, "let's have a look." So he picked up the dog and examined his eyes. Finally, the vet said… "I'm going to have to put him down." "What?" screamed the man, "Because he's cross-eyed?" "No, because he's really heavy." OK, OK, so it's a really stupid joke, but do you see the point? So much depends on whether or not we understand the words that are being used—"put down" can refer to being put to sleep, or just simply, setting the dog back down on the floor. Or consider a third option—what if you wanted to call the dog some demeaning names, so as to "put him down?" As we consider some of the many names the Lord gives Himself, it is absolutely crucial that we know what those words mean. Why? Those very names will be carried by His Church, as God is allowed to live His life through each one! Powerful! Dr. A.T. Pierson, in the context of studying the Bible, coined the phrase, "The Law of First Mention." In this, he suggests that much is contained in the first mention of everything in the Scriptures, sort of a seed for further development of the concept. For example, we all know that the Fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 was when sin entered the human creation, but it isn't until Genesis 4 that "sin" is first mentioned. That, or course, is in connection with Cain killing Abel, using the phrase, "…sin lieth at the door." (4:7) The rest of the Bible further develops this "lurking" aspect of this thing called sin—and all from that very first mention of it. We see this "phenomena" with the names of God, too. The very first mention of any name of God is actually the fourth word of the Bible—"In the beginning, God…" (Genesis 1:1) In the Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament, that word is "Elohim." While this word is used to describe other entities other than the one true God—ie. idols in Exodus 34:17; angels in Psalm 97:7; etc.—it very powerfully sheds much light on the unity of the Trinity, and what that means for God's people. The world "Elohim" appears over 3,000 times in the Bible, with 35 of those times referring to His creative power in the first two chapters. The "El" specifically refers to strength and might, while the suffix "him" (pronounced "heem") signifies a plurality. When it speaks of the one true God, it reveals a plurality of majesty and glory that shines forth from God, who does exist in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Trinity, acting in unity, is clearly and specifically seen immediately following the very first mention of Elohim. In Genesis 1:26, we read, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…" He is not talking to the angels, for they were created beings themselves—this is the fullness of the Godhead! This unity within the Trinity is much further developed throughout the Bible—salvation, deliverance, judgment, sustenance, and so much more—the powerful purposes of Elohim. In Genesis 17:1-8, God promises Abram an almost unbelievable relationship—"I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect…And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be "an Elohim" unto thee, and to thy seed after thee." Do you see it? He doesn't just carry His own name; He plants it within us and we carry it, too—"walk before me, and be thou perfect." Oh, Praise Elohim, for that has been fulfilled in a New Covenant through the Cross and empty tomb of Jesus Christ, the 2nd Person of that amazing Trinity. In this, the 3rd Person, the Holy Spirit, implants the life of Elohim in His people through the new birth spoken of in John 3. Dr. F.E. Marsh says, "…for looking at it in the light of the New Testament, we find—The Father in the power of His love; The Son in the provision of His grace; and The Spirit in the potentiality of His strength." When we are reminded by God, "I will be unto you an Elohim," the response of the true Christian ought to echo Psalm 91:2—"My 'Elohim'; in Him will I trust." In this Spirit-filled life, we truly carry and bring forth the Name of God! Now, keep in mind, an abbreviated form of Elohim is often used to refer to God, too—and that is "El." Jesus uses it as He quotes Psalm 22:1, even from the Cross—"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34) In the midst of indescribable fatigue and pain, He prayed, "My strength, my strength," for the "El" literally denotes God as the Strong One, as well as the Only Cause of all things. It is this form, in the singular, that very often becomes attached to other descriptive words to portray His essence, His character, and His attributes. And at this point let me bring into focus one of them—El Elyon—since this name, as well as the "El" by itself, are first mentioned in connection with the enigmatic and mysterious figure of Melchizedek. Genesis 14:18-20 lays it out for us—"And Mel- chizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all." Yes, I'm sure you guessed it, especially from my italics—El Elyon is translated "the most high God. The context of this amazing meeting can be found in the previous verses, but I want to use this space to focus on the name itself. With the added focus on supremacy, we find it in Numbers 24:16; Deuteronomy 32:8; about 20 times in the Psalms; twice in Lamentations, and over 10 times in Daniel. Many of these times, it is found to be a millennial title, focusing on God's reign over the earth—specifically at the time of the restoration of Israel. As we rapidly approach this in these very last of days, we see the very first mention of El Elyon become even more crucial. Why? Well, because the author of the New Testament book of Hebrews makes it clear that this "priest of the most high God" is a foreshadowing of the supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ! Amazing! Hebrews 5:8-10 tells us, "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered: And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him: Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedec." Just a few verses before this, we find these words—"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (4:14-16) There it is again—He places His name within us and we carry it. God, in His boundless mercy, built His identity on the foundation of the first mention of His powerful name—using that to point to the coming Messiah—our great high priest! When Melchizedec brings Abram bread and wine, are we not reminded of the one who would give His body and shed His blood to take away our sin, as well as the dominion that sin had over us? And if we find that that dominion still exists, do we see our need for further repentance? As high priest, He has already offered the sacrifice—His entire sinless life—and it is this life He plants in us. No other high priest could do that, but this one did—once and for all! So, may we surrender fully and come boldly to the only one who can plant His obedience within us, causing us to stand fast in His truth. In this, we will carry the Name of God for all the world to see—a totally changed life! From the very first mention, God is glorified through a people who are willing to carry Him into every aspect of their lives. In this, we praise Elohim, the El Elyon! Copyright (c)
2005 Christ Our Rock Bible Church. |
