El-Olam is a compound word from Elohim. “This name means, ‘the Everlasting God,’ from an original form meaning, ‘the God of eternity.’”[1] The word olam designates continuance and perpetual existence.[2] While the name is not found in Psalm 90:2, the truth found in the name El Olam is there: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
God is eternally God. This name also “stresses the unchanging character of God (Genesis 21:33; Isaiah 40:28).” Since He is the eternal God, He is unchanging. Again, the name el-olam in Malachi 3:6, but the truth of this name is evident there: “For I the LORD do not change.”
El Olam is the Creator and all-powerful God. Isaiah 40:28 says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Verse 29 also says He is the One who gives strength to those that are weary. Since He is Creator and eternally strong, He is also the Source of infinite strength.
Believers have continual access to the Everlasting God by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:18). When we are weak and fainting there is still limitless supply of strength because we may draw from El-Olam’s strength.
[1] Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 53.
[2] James Strong, “5769. olam,” The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996).
Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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