Part 4 of the “Names of God” Bible Study Series
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of El Olan, the Eternal God. (Genesis 21:33 NIV)
What The Name El Olam Means
El Olam means “the Everlasting God,” a name that points to a God who is eternal, unchanging, and constant throughout all time.
It’s reassuring to remember that, unlike everything else in our world that shifts, changes, and eventually wears out, God remains the same.
Because His character never changes, His promises never expire, and His faithfulness never runs out. As Psalm 90:2 puts it simply, “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
That’s El Olam.
Why This Matters
Life has a way of changing—sometimes faster than we expect or in directions we never saw coming. Plans shift, relationships come and go, and the things we once counted on may no longer feel reliable. And honestly, that can be pretty discouraging.
But what we can depend on is that God never changes. When life feels unpredictable, you can always rely on Him in any circumstance.
El Olam means the God who was faithful in your past, remains faithful in your present, and will continue to be faithful in the future.
You may not know what’s coming next…but He already does.
Going Deeper
In Genesis 21, Abraham calls on God as El Olam. But this moment didn’t come at the beginning of his story—it came after years of waiting, wandering, and learning to trust God.
Just before this, Abraham settles a disagreement over a well with the king of Gerar. They form a covenant—a mutual agreement meant to bring peace and security. Then, Abraham does something interesting.
He plants a tamarisk tree.
Why?
Because a tree was something firmly planted. At this point of his life, Abraham still lived as a traveler and pilgrim in the land. His security wasn’t rooted in a permanent home—it was rooted in an everlasting God.
After everything he’d been through, Abraham realized that God wasn’t just there in certain moments—He was constant through every season.
For Bible Nerds (Like Me)
Let’s talk about the tamarisk tree, because this wasn’t a random detail.
The tamarisk is a desert tree known for its deep roots, its ability to survive in tough, dry conditions, and the shade it offers in intense heat. By planting it, Abraham created a place of remembrance that would remain long after he moved on. It was saying: God has been faithful here.
What a vivid picture—deep roots remind us that God’s provision often comes from unseen places, resilience shows us how to endure through hard seasons, and the shade offers rest, protection, and comfort.
In a land where nothing seemed permanent, this tree stood as a reminder of something that did. The faithfulness of El Olam.
Don’t Miss This
When everything around us keeps changing, we can trust El Olam, who is not affected by time, change or uncertainty.
He’s steady when life gets shaky, faithful when you’re feeling unsure, and present in every season—past, present, and future.
Just like Abraham, you may not always feel settled, but you can still stand firm because the God you trust is everlasting.
Journaling Prompts
- Where in my life do things feel uncertain or constantly changing right now?
- How have I seen God’s faithfulness in my past that I can hold onto today?
- Am I placing my sense of security in something temporary instead of in God?
Color-Coding Suggestion
Theme: God’s Character → Eternal / Unchanging / Faithful
(Use your assigned color for God’s character and mark Isaiah 40:28.)
