Genesis 15:1-7

The longing of the person who is really serious about his spiritual life is to know God more fully. God has responded to that desire and need by allowing us to know Him and His character through the names that are given to Him. We have seen that the name, Elohim, speaks of the God who is faithful.

Today, we move on to the name Adonai. This helps unlock some of the mystery surrounding God as our Lord and Master. This was a term commonly used in Abraham’s day. It was not only a term used for God, but also for man.

Sarah called Abraham “lord” or “master”. It is a term used by a slave or wife. Master was a term that spoke of a relationship. The difference from our culture’s understanding of a slave and Biblical slaves was that they became a member of the family, attended temple worship, and were cared for. Hired hands did not enjoy these privileges. A master provided for their slaves and offered direction or training.

Adonai is used to refer to God as a symbol of a working relationship, not ownership.

• God has the resources and ability to care for us
  • Abram was childless with Saray, yet God had made a promise of blessing and heirs
    • Abram waited ten yearsand was growing impatient
  • The worthy faced the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:17)
    • Our God is able to deliver
• God will respond to aid us
  • God gave Abraham a son by Sarah
    • Even in the testing that followed when Isaac was to be sacrificed, God showed Himself to be responsive to Abraham’s need
      • God provided a ram
    • Moses was told by the Master to go to Pharaoh
      • Moses sought to be freed of the task, but God provided the people he needed in order for the task to be done
    • Joshua (Joshua 6)
      • God has the resources and ability to give victory at Jericho
• Believers have the privilege of calling upon the Lord for the help needed
  • Our first duty is to submit to the One who has the responsibility to care for us
  • Trust the Master to care for us

As followers of the Lord, we have a responsibility to submit to our Master as He leads us into the service to which He calls us. To the ones who do yield to Him, we shall hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Of this, we can be sure: we can trust our Master to take care of us. He has both the resources and the ability.