Exodus 1-3, 6

Moses’ Encounter with God

Moses was born in Egypt to slave parents and was delivered by the hand of God through the Pharaoh’s daughter. Young Moses experienced a series of experiences that culminated in his meeting with God on Mount Horeb, when God gave him instructions on how he would be the one He would send to save the Israelites from Egypt and lead them to Canaan. The conversation between God and Moses at the burning bush shows that there existed many gods in the land at the time and, therefore, Moses was prompted to ask God for the response he would give the Israelites if they asked “What is His name?”, The one who sent you (Exodus 3: 13). God’s response to Moses is one of the most defining scripture on the reverence of the name of God. The answer was ”I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3: 14). Since the beginning of creation up to Moses days, every event or provision provided a name for God, for example, God Almighty for his power evident in nature. In the case of Moses, one would consider that God chose to call himself I AM as evidence of Him being like no other and still the one no matter which title the Israelites used to refer to God. Some Israelites knew Him as the God of Abraham, for instance, the oldest generations. Others knew him God of Isaac, and the youngest probably knew God as God of Jacob. Therefore I AM, was God’s way of letting His children know He was God to all of them and He cared about them, knew their suffering and was going to rescue the Israelites through Moses (Exodus 3:15).

The Significance of God’s Name

The significance of the name of God is manifest when Moses returns to God after trouble befell Pharaoh and the Israelites did not gain freedom. God retaliates to Moses how He appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as ”Almighty God“ but ”by my name, LORD, I did not make myself known to them.” (Exodus 6: 1-5). The statement shows that while God appeared to His servants previously to show acts of His might, He was engaging with Moses as the Lord who would oversee that the rescue of Israeltes from Egypt.

Conclusion

Every name of God has an attached meaning and is best applicable to specific situations. However, God Almighty is still the one creator of heaven and earth, He is I AM and the Lord over all.

Works cited

The Jewish study Bible. Oxford University Press. 2004.