Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Tonight’s Study, Session 15: El Chay – The Living God
Introduction: Unlike idols of wood and stone, made by human hands, the Living God is Himself Maker of heaven and earth. He alone is the source of our life. We live because He lives. The prophet Jeremiah reminded God’s people that “every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud, they have no breath in them” (Jeremiah 10:14 NIV). This title sets Israel apart from the false gods of the surrounding nations.
The key Scripture verse where the name El Chay is found is 2 Kings 19: 15 – 16.
Scriptural Context Where The Name El Chay Is Found
Then the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish. And the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, “Look, he has come out to make war with you.” So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered those whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?’”
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.” (2 Kings 19:8-19)
Significance of the Name –
El Chay, meaning “Living God” in Hebrew, is a name for God emphasizing His self-existent life and ability to provide life to all creatures. It’s often used to distinguish the true God from idols, which are merely human creations. God’s power and His role as the source of life, shows the stark contrast between the Living God and lifeless idols. God can do all things; lifeless idols can do nothing!
Understanding The Name
Scripture constantly warns against the worship of false gods. The first* of the Ten Commandments is itself a proscription against idol worship. The title El Chay, the Living God, emphasizes God’s role as Creator of all that is, in contrast with idols made of metal, wood, or stone, which are merely the creations of human hands. Jeremiah paints a vivid picture saying, For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple. They are upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good” (Jeremiah 10:3-5).
*“You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3)
God is the only One, True, Living God and is a jealous God. He is alive, He has feelings, and can relate to mankind. He does not share His glory with anyone or anything, especially false gods (idols).
Food for Thought – Imagine praying to a deaf and dumb god! That’s exactly the case when someone worships any other than El Chay! There is no breath in any of those gods (idols). Idols are not living things, unlike El Chay – the Living God.
Nugget of Truth – for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. (Acts 17:28-29)
Elaboration and Exaltation:
- Distinction from idols: El Chay highlights the difference between God, who is the source of life, and idols, which are created by humans and lack any intrinsic life.
Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many Lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:4-6)
- God’s Self-Existence: The name El Chay emphasizes that God’s existence is not dependent on anyone or anything else; He is the self-existent One, the source of all life.
Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. (Psalm 90:2)
- Creation and Sustenance: El Chay underscores God’s role as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, including humans.
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16)
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)
- The Living God in Scripture: The name appears in various contexts in the Bible, often associated with God’s power and ability to act on behalf of His people.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
- Relationship with Jesus: In New Testament contexts, El Chay is often linked to Jesus, who is seen as the Son of the Living God, representing the full life of God.
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
(Matthew 16:13)
Connecting To The Name
King Sennacherib ruled Assyria and Babylonia from 705-681 B.C. He invaded Judah in 701 B.C. and threatened to attack Jerusalem when King Hezekiah refused to pay taxes. Hezekiah’s prayer underscores his understanding of El Chay – The Living God. He prays to a God who is able to do all and even more than he asks of Him. Are we doing the same and praying to El Chay – the Living God?
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Ephesians 3:20)
Though Hezekiah asked God to deliver his people from their enemies, his prayer primarily focused on God’s honor. Our prayers should be God honoring and not self-focused and selfish. God’s will is perfect and He makes no mistakes and does whatever brings honor to His name.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)
We too have enemies like Hezekiah did with which to contend, though these enemies come from inside (like anger, addiction, depression) rather than outside. El Chay is able to take care of all that we pray for, big and small, and even gives us His perfect peace as well.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Conclusion: We, as believers in Jesus Christ can praise El Chay, the Living God for being present with us today, revealing His love and power. We can set our heart on El Chay because He is not a God of the past. El Chay is the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is alive and working in the world around us. We just need to tell Him of our longing to know His present power and His love more in our lives. He can do that because He is El Chay – the Living God!
Next Session on Wednesday, May 14th, Session 16: The Ancient of Days – The Timeless and Eternal God.