AS WE do our best to develop a suitable answer to the question, Should the words "God Almighty" be "coupled together"? let us make this point at the outset. Reverence and respect in approaching God in worship, particularly in the use of His name in prayer, is our particular area of concern.
Scores of appellations are used in Scripture and also in the Ellen G. White writings in reference to God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.
The word "reverend" is used only once in the Bible (Ps. 111:9), and the title is applied to God. It is never used in reference to a man clergyman, priest, or what ever. Unfortunately, Catholic and Protestant clergymen claim the title "reverend" (sometimes even "most reverend"). How the Seventh-day Adventist minister can avoid the use of the word when he is introduced formally to these "men of the cloth" poses a problem.
Mrs. White wrote very plainly concerning the use of the word reverend. "It is not men whom we are to exalt and worship; it is God, the only true and living God, to whom our worship and reverence are due. According to the teaching of the Scriptures, it dishonors God to address ministers as 'Reverend.' No mortal has any right to attach this to his own name or to the name of any other human being. It belongs only to God, to distinguish Him from every other being. Those who lay claim to this title take to themselves God's holy honor. They have no right to the stolen word, whatever their position may be. 'Holy and reverend is his name.' We dishonor God when we use this word where it does not belong." --Evangelism, p. 133.
"God" and "Almighty" are used six times as a couplet in the Bible: Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; Exodus 6:3; Ezekiel 10:5. Interestingly the word "Almighty" is used alone forty-two times with out the support of the word "God."
Mrs. White's solemn appeal for the reverent use of the couplet "God Almighty" if indeed it is to be used at all arose from a sense of pain that gripped her when she heard our preachers or laymen use the name carelessly.
Note the following from Early Writings, page 122: "I saw that God's holy name should be used with reverence and awe. The words God Almighty are coupled together and used by some in prayer in a careless, thoughtless manner, which is displeasing to Him. Such have no realizing sense of God or the truth, or they would not speak so irreverently of the great and dreadful God, who is soon to judge them in the last day. Said the angel, 'Couple them not together; for fearful is His name.' Those who realize the greatness and majesty of God, will take His name on their lips with holy awe. He dwelleth in light unapproach able; no man can see Him and live. I saw that these things will have to be understood and corrected before the church can prosper."
A modifying statement found in Gospel Workers, page 176, under the title "Reverence in Prayer," provides helpful instruction:
"Some think it a mark of humility to pray to God in a common manner, as if talking with a human being. They profane His name by needlessly and irreverently mingling with their prayers the words, 'God Almighty,' awful, sacred words, which should never pass the lips except in subdued tones and with a feeling of awe." (Italics supplied.)
Both of the above paragraphs stress humble attitudes toward the great God and proper reverence when addressing the Supreme Being in prayer, particularly public prayer.
In the Ellen G. White writings as in the Scriptures, the word "Almighty" is used alone when the all-powerful God is meant. For example, in The Acts of the Apostles, page 152, Ellen White de scribes "the punishment of the Almighty" upon the wicked King Herod. On page 180 of the same book she pictures the trees, mountains, sun, moon, and stars as "works of the Almighty." And in Early Writings, page 43, "the covering of the Almighty" is mentioned that is, the protection God affords to His saints in the time of trouble. The curse of God rested upon Jehoiakim, king of Judah, who is portrayed as the man who "lifted himself up against the Almighty" (Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 179). And Israel in the wilderness abode under "the shadow of the Almighty" (The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on Joshua 18:1, p, 999).
"Almighty" is used in each case alone without the word "God" attached, suggesting in itself the totality of God's might. Mrs. White used the word artistically, even poetically. To have added the word "God" in each case would have been superfluous or redundant.
I was discussing the use of the words as a couplet with one of our Hebrew scholars recently. He made the following observation: "Mrs. White's appeal for the reverent use of this couplet arose from a sense of her innate sense of reverence for God. She was pained to hear those two words used carelessly by some in our church. The situation parallels the experience of Israel anciently. The true God Israel's God was known to them as YHWH. He was the only true God (see Ex. 6:3). (In the King James version of the Scriptures the name YHWH was spelled out "LORD" and in the Revised Version and A.S.V., "Jehovah.")
"There was a time in Jewish history," my friend observed, "when the use of the sacred name YHWH in speech became rather commonplace. This disturbed the religious leaders and in time its use was restricted to the high priest who it is said used it only on the Day of Atonement.
"Today in services conducted on the Sabbath in Jewish synagogues YHWH is not used. Another Jewish word Adonai is substituted for it. But God is still referred to as 'Elohim. In the classic expression of Deuteronomy 6:4, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord,' the one reading says, 'Hear, O Israel, Adonai Elohim Adonai is one/ using Adonai twice instead of the name YHWH.
"The Jews held the word the unique word YHWH—in such veneration that more common words describing God or Lord came into use. Thus a change in usage was occasioned by the careless and thoughtless habits of the people of Israel."
Whatever the situation may have been among the Jews of Israel in ancient times we know that the Jews did teach reverence and respect for the use of the name of God in worship. Should Christians be less sensitive to the holiness and greatness of the Supreme Being?
Reverence and respect is fitting for poor sinners who are saved by God's grace. Unfallen angels may address God directly, perhaps as "God Almighty" (see Rev. 4: 8-11). Perhaps we should be more humble because of our fallen state.
The two quoted statements from the pen of Ellen White seem to allow some latitude for the use of the two words together if they are spoken with deep seriousness and reverence. The stress is on this aspect and attitude of awe and reverence. This is one of the most important considerations in approaching God. (See Ex. 15:11; 20:7; Deut. 10:17; 28:58; Micah 6:6; 1 Chron. 16:25, 26; Ps. 95:6; Matt. 6:9; Eph. 3:14; Rev. 4:8-11.)
