God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. Exodus 3:14-15
Moses encounter with God not only changed his life, but the destiny of the children of Israel. They had been slaves to Pharaoh for centuries, now they were about to embark on the greatest adventure in the annals of history.
Moses was a more than a little daunted by his marching orders from God. Intuitively he asked, ‘who shall I say has sent me’. He knew both the Israelites & Pharaoh would not obey him but might when confronted with the name and truth of God.
In this epoch passage, God names himself saying – I AM WHO I AM. Why would God do this? Because Moses was being sent to a people who worshipped all that was created man, not the Divine. The Lord reveals the person to worship, “IS”. His is real, He is alive; and, He is not made by man.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
For one, names are personal. Knowing someone’s names means we have a relationship. In the case of God, knowing his name is about trusting him. He reveals his name to strengthen man’s confidence in him. His name is foundational to our life together with Him – he is the I AM, the existent one.
God names himself that we might embrace his purposes, his promises, his plan and submit ourselves to His power to fulfill the plan of God. Knowing God, especially his name is designed to enlarge our trust, strengthen our faith, show the way and DEEPEN OUR LOVE.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. – Psa 9:10