Exodus 3 - Name of God
Walking Through Exodus
Devotions - Week 2
The other name for God in this passage, is found in verses 6 and 15, where God says, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”
As well as saying this to simply differentiate himself from the many other gods worshipped at the time, I also find this name deeply reassuring.
It starts, “I am the God of your father…”
Moses probably didn’t know his biological parents, Amran and Jochebed, very well, if at all, as he grew up in the palace. They had been given some precious time with Moses as a baby, at least until he was weaned, but may not have seen much of him since.
His Mum and Dad are both listed as people of faith in Hebrews 11:23. It says:
“By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
What great parents to have had. I imagine, therefore, that they prayed for Moses and had told him the stories of how their people had come to be in Egypt and what promises God had spoken to them that they were still carrying.
Maybe Moses knew this, and God’s reminder may have struck a reassuring chord with him – I am…the God of your father.
God also graciously associates himself with three unlikely candidates from history: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They each had complex personalities, character flaws and a record of errors. But they’d also each come to saving faith, received God’s grace, grown in Godly character, had some stories to tell and received amazing promises.
Hearing those ancestral names surely would have reminded Moses that in the past God had kept his promises, defied the odds, remained faithful, used failures, called nobodies.
This is who God had been in the past. With God’s new name, I am who I am, confirming God’s character as consistent and unchanging, Moses could be assured that God would be the same yesterday, today and for ever – as it says about Jesus Christ in Hebrews 13:8.
Now knowing God’s personal name, the “I am” at the beginning of “I am…the God of your father, the God of Abraham etc” now carries a bit more weight. The same is true when we read the seven “I am” statements that Jesus is recorded as saying about himself in John’s gospel.
I know we looked at John recently, but perhaps take some time to meditate again on these seven statements in light of Exodus 3.
As well as saying this to simply differentiate himself from the many other gods worshipped at the time, I also find this name deeply reassuring.
It starts, “I am the God of your father…”
Moses probably didn’t know his biological parents, Amran and Jochebed, very well, if at all, as he grew up in the palace. They had been given some precious time with Moses as a baby, at least until he was weaned, but may not have seen much of him since.
His Mum and Dad are both listed as people of faith in Hebrews 11:23. It says:
“By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
What great parents to have had. I imagine, therefore, that they prayed for Moses and had told him the stories of how their people had come to be in Egypt and what promises God had spoken to them that they were still carrying.
Maybe Moses knew this, and God’s reminder may have struck a reassuring chord with him – I am…the God of your father.
God also graciously associates himself with three unlikely candidates from history: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They each had complex personalities, character flaws and a record of errors. But they’d also each come to saving faith, received God’s grace, grown in Godly character, had some stories to tell and received amazing promises.
Hearing those ancestral names surely would have reminded Moses that in the past God had kept his promises, defied the odds, remained faithful, used failures, called nobodies.
This is who God had been in the past. With God’s new name, I am who I am, confirming God’s character as consistent and unchanging, Moses could be assured that God would be the same yesterday, today and for ever – as it says about Jesus Christ in Hebrews 13:8.
Now knowing God’s personal name, the “I am” at the beginning of “I am…the God of your father, the God of Abraham etc” now carries a bit more weight. The same is true when we read the seven “I am” statements that Jesus is recorded as saying about himself in John’s gospel.
I know we looked at John recently, but perhaps take some time to meditate again on these seven statements in light of Exodus 3.
- I AM the bread of life (John 6:35)
- I AM the light of the world (John 8:12)
- I AM the gate for the sheep (John 10:7)
- I AM the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
- I AM the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
- I AM the way the truth and the life (John 14:6)
- I AM the true vine (John 15:1)
Apply
- Reflect on what we learn about God through Abraham, Isaac and Jacobs’ stories and thank God that these characteristics remain true of God today. You might want to refer to Hebrew 11:8-21 for a quick summary of their lives.
- Spend some time meditating on the seven “I am” statements that Jesus said about himself in John’s gospel, as listed above. Ask the Holy Spirit to identify which one or two of these you particularly need to believe about Jesus at this time and why.
- Pray for the children you know, including those in your family, neighbourhood, and church, that Yahweh would reveal himself to them and that they would believe and follow him.
Prayer
Thank-you God for revealing your name to us through history and on the pages of our Bible. Yahweh, Jesus, Lord, I believe you are the same yesterday, today and forever. Help me to live in the reassurance of your consistent and unchanging character, especially when you call me to help those who are suffering and whenever I feel afraid.
Amen
Amen
This Everyday Devotions was written by Tim Maton, the Venue Leader of our Wimbledon Venue.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on 'Exodus 3 - Name of God' why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions is accompanied by a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Join us as we walk through the book of Exodus by following our daily Exodus Bible Reading Plan.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.
If you would like to listen to the whole of this week’s sermon on 'Exodus 3 - Name of God' why not download the Everyday Church App or visit our website, YouTube Channel and at our Online Church Services.
This Everyday Devotions is accompanied by a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube Channel.
Join us as we walk through the book of Exodus by following our daily Exodus Bible Reading Plan.
Follow our Everyday Devotions Playlist for some songs to help you worship God in Spirit and truth this week.