Eternal עוֹלָם

Our word for today is used to qualify one of God’s characteristics. עוֹלָם eternity, perpetuity, long time, antiquity, for all time, forever, everlasting. It is used 437 times in the Old Testament. A good example of this word is found the first time it is used in the Bible. Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live עוֹלָם forever.” The idea of eternity is referred to throughout the Bible as one of God’s characteristics. Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the עוֹלָם everlasting arms. This word is used in an expression of worship right after he rescued his people from the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea. Exodus 15:18 The Lord reigns עוֹלָם for ever and ever. This is the sense that we see it used in Genesis chapter 21 which we are in today. Genesis 21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the עוֹלָם Eternal God. Notice that Abraham calls out the YHWH because he is greater than he is. Abraham is finite God is eternal. The chapter in the Old Testament where we find this word used the most is in 2 Samuel chapter 7. 2 Samuel 7:13, 16, 24-26, 29 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom עוֹלָם forever… Your house and your kingdom will endure עוֹלָם forever before me; your throne will be established עוֹלָם forever… You have established your people Israel as your very own עוֹלָם forever, and you, LORD, have become their God. “And now, LORD God, keep עוֹלָם forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great עוֹלָם forever. Then people will say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight… Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue עוֹלָם forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed עוֹלָם forever.” The son that God is referring to who he will use to establish this eternal kingdom is Jesus. Matthew 1:1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham. Luke 1:30-33 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” So we can join Abraham and call out to God who is greater than us because we are finite and he is eternal. But it gets better this eternal God invites us to be a part of his eternal kingdom and live with him forever. This is made possible by Jesus’ work on the cross and our accepting him through faith. John 3:14-16 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 10:28-29 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 1 John 5:11-12 God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.