El Elyon: Recognizing God's Sovereignty and Authority
Summary
When reflecting on the name El Elyon—God Most High—we are invited to pause and remember who God truly is. In a world that constantly tempts us to make ourselves the main character, the names of God reorient our hearts and minds to the reality that God is the center of all things. El Elyon is not just a title; it is a declaration that God stands above every power, every authority, and every so-called god, both ancient and modern. This name first appears in Genesis 14, where Melchizedek, the king and priest of Salem, blesses Abraham in the name of God Most High, the creator and possessor of heaven and earth. In this encounter, Abraham learns that the God who called him is not a local or tribal deity, but the sovereign Lord over all creation.
Abraham’s journey is a story of gradual revelation. Coming from a polytheistic background, he had to learn that the God who called him was not just another god among many, but the one true God who stands above all. This process was slow, marked by misunderstandings and mistakes, but God patiently revealed His character to Abraham. The story of Abraham and Melchizedek points forward to Jesus, who is described in the New Testament as the ultimate high priest and the very image of the invisible God. In Christ, all the fullness of God dwells, and through Him, God reconciles all things to Himself, making peace through the blood of the cross.
The sovereignty of El Elyon is not limited to spiritual matters; He rules over nations and history itself. Even the greatest empires and rulers, like Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, are subject to His authority. God’s sovereignty is not mechanical or distant—He is intimately involved in the world, setting boundaries and guiding history so that people might seek Him. Yet, humanity’s tendency is to create idols—whether ancient gods or modern pursuits like comfort, power, or wealth—that distract us from the Most High. But these idols cannot deliver what they promise. Only the Most High God, revealed fully in Jesus, offers true peace and reconciliation.
Ultimately, El Elyon is not a distant or abstract force. He is the God who enters into our world, who keeps His promises, and who invites all people to find their hope and peace in Him. The story of Abraham, Melchizedek, and Jesus calls us to worship, to trust, and to remember that our lives are held together by the God Most High, who reigns above all.
Key Takeaways
- The name El Elyon, “God Most High,” reminds us that God is not one among many, but the supreme authority over all creation, powers, and spiritual realities. This truth challenges us to reorient our faith away from self-centeredness and toward the awe-inspiring reality of God’s sovereignty and majesty. [03:48]
- Abraham’s journey with God illustrates that spiritual growth is often a slow, patient process. God meets us where we are, even in our misunderstandings, and gradually reveals His true character. Like Abraham, we must be willing to let go of our limited notions of God and allow Him to show us who He really is, even when it challenges our assumptions. [15:16]
- The idols of our age—comfort, power, money, and popularity—are no different from the ancient gods that competed for people’s devotion. Though we may not bow to statues, anything we elevate above God becomes an idol. True freedom and peace come only when we recognize and submit to the authority of the Most High, who alone can satisfy our deepest needs. [17:49]
- God’s sovereignty over nations and history is not about controlling events like a puppet master, but about guiding the world toward His purposes. Even when the world seems chaotic and out of control, God is at work, setting boundaries and inviting all people to seek Him. Our hope is not in our ability to fix the world, but in the God who holds all things together. [22:29]
- In Jesus, the fullness of the Most High God is revealed. He is the ultimate high priest, the reconciler of all things, and the one who brings true and lasting peace. The story of Melchizedek and Abraham points forward to Christ, who offers Himself once for all, fulfilling God’s promise to bless all nations and inviting us into a new covenant of grace. [29:32]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Magnifying God in Worship
[03:48] - The Significance of God’s Names
[04:59] - El Elyon: God Most High in Scripture
[06:40] - Abraham, Melchizedek, and the First Mention of El Elyon
[08:26] - Abraham’s World: Polytheism and God’s Call
[10:34] - The Risk and Revelation of Following God
[12:23] - God Above All Gods: Abraham’s Realization
[14:14] - God’s Character vs. Ancient Notions
[16:11] - Israel’s Struggle with Idolatry
[17:49] - Modern Idols and Spiritual Realities
[19:49] - God Most High and the Nations: Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar
[22:29] - God’s Sovereignty in History
[24:53] - Trusting God Amidst World Chaos
[27:15] - Jesus: The Fullness of the Most High
[29:32] - Christ’s Supremacy and Reconciliation
[31:50] - Melchizedek, Jesus, and the New Covenant
[33:06] - God’s Faithfulness and Our Response
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: El Elyon—God Most High
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### Bible Reading
- Genesis 14:17-24 (Abraham and Melchizedek, first mention of El Elyon)
- Daniel 4:34-35 (Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the Most High God)
- Colossians 1:15-20 (Jesus as the fullness of God Most High)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 14, what does Melchizedek call God, and how does Abraham respond to Melchizedek’s blessing?
2. According to Daniel 4:34-35, what does Nebuchadnezzar realize about God after his period of insanity?
3. In Colossians 1:15-20, what are some of the ways Paul describes Jesus’ relationship to creation and to God?
4. The sermon mentions that Abraham came from a polytheistic background. What evidence from Genesis 14 and the surrounding story shows Abraham’s growing understanding of who God is? [[12:23]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Melchizedek, a Canaanite king and priest, blesses Abraham in the name of El Elyon? What does this reveal about God’s identity and Abraham’s journey of faith? [[06:40]]
2. How does Nebuchadnezzar’s story in Daniel 4 illustrate the difference between human power and God’s sovereignty? What does Nebuchadnezzar’s confession teach us about God’s rule over nations? [[21:01]]
3. The sermon says that Abraham’s understanding of God was a gradual process, marked by mistakes and misunderstandings. How does this process mirror our own spiritual growth? [[15:16]]
4. In Colossians 1, Paul says that all things are reconciled through Jesus. What does it mean for Jesus to be the “fullness” of the Most High God, and how does this connect to the story of Melchizedek and Abraham? [[29:32]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon points out that we often make ourselves the “main character” in our stories. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to remember that God is the center, not you? What would it look like to reorient your focus this week? [[03:48]]
2. Abraham had to let go of his old ideas about God and learn who God really is. Are there any assumptions or “small notions” about God that you need to let go of? How might God be challenging your understanding of Him right now? [[15:16]]
3. The idols of our age—comfort, power, money, popularity—can distract us from God. Which of these (or others) are you most tempted to elevate above God? What practical step can you take to put God back in His rightful place? [[17:49]]
4. The sermon says God’s sovereignty is not mechanical or distant, but personal and purposeful. When the world feels chaotic, what helps you trust that God is still at work? Is there a current situation where you need to trust God’s sovereignty more? [[22:29]]
5. Jesus is described as the ultimate high priest who brings true peace and reconciliation. In what ways do you need Jesus’ peace in your life right now? How can you intentionally seek that peace this week? [[29:32]]
6. Abraham’s journey was slow and marked by mistakes, but God was patient. How have you experienced God’s patience in your own spiritual journey? Is there an area where you need to be more patient with yourself or others? [[15:16]]
7. The story of Melchizedek and Abraham points forward to Jesus and the new covenant. How does knowing that God keeps His promises encourage you in your faith today? [[33:06]]
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Devotional
Day 1: God Most High Stands Above Every Power
The name El Elyon, God Most High, reveals that God is not just one among many, but stands above every power, authority, and spiritual force. In a world where people once believed in many gods, Abraham learned that the God who called him was not a local or limited deity, but the Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth. This realization changed everything for Abraham, as he came to understand that God Most High is sovereign over all, not just his personal patron. Even when surrounded by competing claims and distractions, remembering that God is above all helps us to trust Him with our lives and circumstances, knowing that no other power can rival His authority. [12:23]
Genesis 14:18-20 (ESV)
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel threatened by powers or influences beyond your control, and how might remembering God as “Most High” change your response today?
Day 2: God’s Sovereignty Over Nations and History
God Most High is not only above spiritual powers, but also sovereign over every nation and ruler throughout history. Even the mightiest kings, like Nebuchadnezzar, must ultimately acknowledge that their authority is limited and subject to God’s will. Human empires rise and fall, but God’s dominion is everlasting, and He alone determines the boundaries and times of nations. When the world feels chaotic or when we are anxious about global events, we can rest in the assurance that God is still on the throne, working out His purposes in ways we may not always see or understand. [21:01]
Daniel 4:34-35 (ESV)
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Reflection: When you hear troubling news about the world or your nation, how can you intentionally remind yourself of God’s ultimate sovereignty and respond in faith rather than fear?
Day 3: The Most High Offers True and Lasting Peace Through Christ
Unlike the false gods of the world, who promise but cannot deliver, the Most High God enters into our brokenness and offers real peace through Jesus Christ. Jesus, the image of the invisible God, is the one through whom all things were created and are held together. He reconciles all things to Himself, making peace by His blood shed on the cross. This peace is not temporary or superficial, but a deep, lasting reconciliation with God that overcomes every barrier. In Christ, we find the hope of eternal peace, no matter the strife or turmoil we face. [29:32]
Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Reflection: What area of your life most needs the peace that only Christ can bring, and how can you invite Him into that place today?
Day 4: God Patiently Reveals Himself and Calls Us to True Worship
God patiently teaches His people who He truly is, correcting our misconceptions and calling us away from idolatry. Just as Abraham and the Israelites struggled to let go of the false gods of their culture, we too are tempted to elevate things like comfort, money, or power above God. Yet God, in His patience, reveals Himself as the only one worthy of worship, inviting us to turn from lesser things and give Him first place in our hearts. He is not a distant or demanding deity, but the living God who desires relationship and our wholehearted devotion. [16:11]
Exodus 20:3 (ESV)
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Reflection: What “gods” or priorities compete for your attention and affection, and what is one concrete step you can take today to put God first?
Day 5: The Most High God Remembers His Promises and Provides a Perfect High Priest
God Most High is faithful to His promises, providing not only blessing but also a perfect High Priest in Jesus, who intercedes for us forever. The mysterious figure of Melchizedek in Abraham’s story points forward to Christ, who is holy, innocent, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike earthly priests, Jesus offered Himself once for all, securing eternal redemption and peace for those who trust in Him. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that He remembers His covenant and has made a way for us to draw near through His Son. [33:06]
Hebrews 7:26-27 (ESV)
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is your perfect and eternal High Priest change the way you approach God in prayer and worship today?
Quotes
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