King of Kings

Gen. 15:1-6

(Rev 19:16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

“Adonai,” the name alone sounds majestic. This name is used over 400 times in the OT and means Lord or Master.

It stresses God’s majesty and his relationship to man as his King.

It first appears in the Book of Genesis, chapter 15.

We find Abraham just back from his journey up North to rescue Lot. On the way home, he stopped over in Salem and was ministered to by Melchizedek, a forerunner of Christ. (14:8)

Now he is home, and God appears to him in a dream. (Gen 15:1) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

When God appears, it’s a good idea to refer to Him as Master or Lord, and that’s just what Abe did.

(Gen 15:2) And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Abe being old and childless had a lot on his mind. A legitimate heir was of extreme importance in Bible times and Abe was concerned about the lack of one. So he asked God about it ...

God’s answer was one reassurance, that God would do a miracle and provide Abe with an heir.

(Gen 15:4-5) And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Abraham now had a choice, he could believe the word of his Lord, or not.

His answer is recorded for us in the inspired words of Scripture.

(Gen 15:6) And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

There are so many other examples of God being called Master or Lord. Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel all make heavy usage of the name, emphasizing the Kingship and majesty of God.

As the NT puts it, Christ is our prophet, priest and King. Would we bow to our King? (Php 2:9-11) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

“When God appears, it’s a good idea to refer to Him as Master or Lord, and that’s just what Abe did.”