Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

Exodus 3:14

For Meditation

Why did Moses ask this question?

 Perhaps he wanted a personal identification. Yes, God had said that He is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, but that was not enough for Moses. He wanted more. Moses wanted to know a more intimate name of God. He wanted a personal name beyond the possessive identification with the patriarchal fathers. He wanted a name that would carry the authority of God as His ambassador.

 There are many gods of nations and peoples. But each of them has a more personal name that intimates them to their subjects. That was the experience of Moses in Egyptian courts and culture. It was that which Moses was asking to know. But God is not like one of those gods of Egypt or the nations. His name is beyond ordinary.

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14)

It is a name God had never revealed to anybody. Certainly not to Abraham, His friend. But now He was revealing Himself more personally and more deeply to Moses. By this name, God raised the bar to the highest level. No other god can claim self-existence and absolute sovereignty except Jehovah.

 So, do not settle for casual knowledge and acquaintance with God. Take concrete steps to know Him more personally and intimately in His word as I AM WHO I AM – Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Heaven and earth recognize and submit to this exalted name above every other! People, therefore, believe His messengers. 

Shalom