Elohim

[Harry1941]

What “El” involves when mentioned, and what “Elohim,” may be seen from what has been occasionally, namely, that “El Elohim” or “God” is mentioned when truth is treated of. It is that by “El” and “Elohim” in the supreme sense is signified the Divine Spiritual, for this is the same as the Divine Truth, but with the difference that by “El” is signified truth in the will and act, which is the same as the good of truth. The expression “Elohim” is used in the plural, because by truth Divine are meant all truths which are from the Lord. Also angels are sometimes called in the Word “Elohim” or “gods” , as will also appear from the passages adduced from the Word below. Now as in the supreme sense “El” and “Elohim” signify the Lord as to truth, they also signify Him as to power; for truth is that of which power is predicated, because good acts by truth when it exerts power . Therefore wherever power from truth is treated of in the Word, the Lord is called “El” and “Elohim,” that is, “God.” Also it is that in the original language “El” also signifies one who is powerful.

The use of God’ in the Old Testament Word to mean Divine Truth within the heavens explains why the word for God in the original language is Elohim, a plural form. It also explains why the angels in heaven, being receivers of Divine Truth, are called gods’, as in David,

Who in heaven will compare himself to Jehovah? Who will be likened to Jehovah among the sons of gods? Ps. 89:6-8.

In the same author,

Give to Jehovah, O sons of gods, give to Jehovah glory and strength. Ps. 29:1.

In the same author,

I said, You are gods, and sons of the Most High, all of you. Ps. 82:6.

In John,

Jesus said, Is it not written in your Law, I said, You are gods? If* He called them gods, with whom the Word of God came to be . . . John 10:34, 35.

Harry

 

[Harry1941]

‘And I will be their God’ means the Lord’s presence and His influx into truth in the Church. This is clear from the meaning of ‘being their God’ as the Lord’s presence and His influx into truth - into truth because in the Old Testament Word the Lord is called God where truth is the subject, but Jehovah where good is the subject. This also goes to explain why angels are called little gods, because they are recipients of Divine Truth from the Lord, and in addition why in the original language the plural word Elohim is used to denote God; for truths are many but good is one, Matt. 19:16, 17.

The Lord is called God where truth is the subject, but He is call Jehovah where good is the subject.

Angels are called gods, because they are recipients of Divine Truth from the Lord.

In the Word Jehovah means the Lord; and in Isaiah He is called explicitly ‘Father from eternity’ and also ‘God’,

To us a Boy is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder; His name is called, God, Hero, Father of Eternity, Prince of peace. Isa. 9:6.

And in the same prophet,

A virgin will conceive and bear [a son], and His name will be called Immanuel, that is, God with us. Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23.

When God said,“Let us makes man.” I believe He was speaking to the angels, because He regenerates man through them. Angels and men who take up their cross and follow after the Lord, are recipients of Divine Truth and good from the Lord. Like Father like children.

Chapter 1 of Genesis saids,“In the beginning God created heaven and earth.” It doesn’t say,in the beginning the gods ( plural) created heaven and earth. It doesn’t say, let us create the stars and planets, let us create this and lets us created that.

The name Elohim for God is plural, but plural when it concerns Divine Truth. Plural means God teaches us through the angels. They are God’s ministers to men on earth.

Harry

 

[Harry1941]

The angels indeed lead men to God, but only as ministers, for it is the Lord alone who governs man through angels and spirits. And as this is done through the ministry of angels, it is here first said, in the plural number, “Let us make man in our image;” and yet because the Lord alone governs and disposes, it is said in the following verse, in the singular number, “God created him in His own image.” This the Lord also plainly declares in Isaiah:
Thus saith Jehovah thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I Jehovah make all things, stretching forth the heavens alone, spreading abroad the earth by Myself (Isa. 44:24).

Harry
Love and charity to all.