El Elyon

What’s the featured image, you ask? And what does it have to do with the God Most High? Why, it’s the Ishtar Gate, of course, built by King Nebuchadnezzar who acknowledged El Elyon.

Do I expect you to believe King Nebuchadnezzar drove a beat-up Cadillac? No. The site of ancient Babylon has been turned into a tourist destination, complete with a rebuilt Ishtar Gate. But what does the Ishtar Gate have to do with this week’s name, El Elyon?

First, a little background. El Elyon means The God Most High. It’s easy to skim over it in your daily Bible reading and keep on going, but pause a moment.

What is the significance of the God Most High?

Most is a superlative. It implies that there are gods less high. What?

In her book, Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Ann Spangler says this:

Elyon, the title given to the highest of the Canaanite gods, was appropriated by the Hebrews as a title for Yahweh. Emphasizing God’s transcendence, the name El Elyon is first used in relation to Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who was also called “priest of God Most High.”

Genesis 14:18 is the first use of the term, but it shines in Daniel 4.

I am pleased to write to you about the miraculous signs and amazing things the Elah Illa-ah did for me. – Daniel 4:2 (Names of God version)

But wait. That’s not El Elyon.  It says Elah Illa-ah. Because Daniel 4 is written in Aramaic. By King Nebuchadnezzar.

God included a chapter written by a foreign, idol-worhipping king in the Bible.

Why?

This story is near and dear to my heart. Yahweh pursued Nebuchadnezzar, and the Babylonian worshiper of Marduk ended up acknowledging Yahweh as the God Most High.

• After Yahweh told the prophet Daniel what Nebuchadnezzar dreamt AND the interpretation, Neb acknowledged Yahweh as a “God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets.” Mm-kay. It’s a start. (See Daniel 2)
• After Neb tossed Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in the fiery furnace and the came out unscathed, see this post, he responded, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and rescued His servants who put their trust in Him.” He even admits, “There is no other god who is able to save in this way.”  Closer, but he’s still not ready to admit that Yahweh is sovereign. (See Daniel 3)
• Finally, El Elyon got up close and personal with King Nebuchadnezzar. But he did it with chesed. Mercy. First, he gave Neb another dream, a warning. Then, he sent Daniel, Neb’s trusted adviser, to counsel him. The Most High gave King Nebuchadnezzar an entire year to repent. That’s patience. And I have to believe Daniel spent that year preparing to safeguard both the king and his kingdom during those fateful seven years of judgment. It was an awful consequence, but what an amazing outcome. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the El Elyon. (See Daniel 4)

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just; and He is able to humble those who walk in pride. Daniel 4:37 (NASB)

This year-long study is inspired by Ann Spangler’s book.