“Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the LORD, the Eternal God” (Genesis 21:33 NLT).
As Abraham grew in his relationship with God, more and more was revealed to him concerning the nature and character of God. Often these revelations took the form of a new name of God. Two of those names of God are seen here in this verse: “LORD” and the “Eternal God..”
When most English translations of the Bible encounter the covenantal name of God, which was given to Moses at the burning bush, they denote it by the word “LORD” in all caps. It is a translation of the Hebrew word: “יְהוָֹה”, which the Jews have considered too holy to say. Therefore they refer to it as the Tetragrammaton or “The Name.” This is the name pronounced “Yahweh,” or “Jehovah.” The name means, “I AM,” the eternally present, self-existent One.
At the new well that Abraham had dug, which he named “Beersheba,” which means “Well of Seven,” he planted a Tamarisk tree and called on the LORD, the “Everlasting God.” Thus, a second name for God was revealed, “Everlasting God” (“אֵ֥ל עֹולָֽם” – “El Olam”).
Human characters come and go as we turn the pages of the Bible, yet the character of God is progressively revealed to us chapter by chapter. Yes, this section is about Abraham, but really if we have spiritual eyes to see, it is primarily about God. And where do we encounter the fullest revelation of God in the Bible? In Jesus. For as John wrote in his gospel, “No one has ever seen God. God’s only Son, the one who is closest to the Father’s heart, has made him known” (John 1:18).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to know You better. You have given us Your Word and we want to read it with Your Spirit’s instruction. We want to grow in our knowledge of You. Even more, You have given us Your Son. Thank You Lord. For He is the One who has made it possible for us to know You. Help us to grow more and more like Him as You have promised. In Jesus’ name, amen.