Scripture: Exodus 6:2-3, God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them.”
Names are important. They encompass our identity. We belong to the family of; are daughter, son, husband, wife, parent, and sibling of. Numerous times we are known only through that specific designation. “Sandi’s son grows taller every time I see him.”
Throughout history arguments, battles and wars have been fought for the honor of name, both personal and national. Comic characters repeatedly use feuding family clans as material. Some parents agonize, debate, quarrel over newborn’s names. Others fling out a nickname that hounds their child their entire life. Names stick. Some we grow into, some we run away from, some we give as a fragile gift of trust.
God’s statement to Moses jolts me. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew Him as God Almighty-Elohim, but to them He had not revealed His name. He had given them His authority, His status. To Moses and enslaved Israel He gave Himself: present, accessible, powerful. “I AM”-Eternal-Jehovah.
His gift of Himself extended to a stable in Bethlehem, to a child named Immanuel, “God with us.” “You shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”
Bondage to slavery broken by “I AM”.
Adopted into God’s family we are welcomed as children of God, fellow heirs with Christ. And now we can call Him “Abba”, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness.
And the gift continues. Not just the chains of sin broken, but our characters transformed into Christ’s likeness. Jesus promises, “I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.”
Thank you Lord for revealing your name.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 111:9
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
