Tuesday: The Name of the Lord
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 8th of July 2025
Read Exodus 3:13-22. Why did Moses want to know God’s name, and what is the significance of His name?
God presents Himself to Moses as “’ehejeh ’asher ’ehejeh,” which literally means “I will be who I will be,” or “I am who I am.” In Exodus 3:12, God uses the same verb ’ehejeh as in verse 14, when He states to Moses, “I will be” (with you). It means that God is eternal. He is the transcendent God, as well as the immanent God, and He dwells with those “who are contrite and humble in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15, NRSV).
Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com
The proper name of God, “Yahweh” (translated in English Bibles usually as “the Lord”), was known to God’s people from the beginning, even if they didn’t know its deeper meaning. Moses also knew the name Yahweh, but, like others, he did not know the real meaning. His question, “What is your name?” is a query about that deeper meaning.
A helpful hint is in Exodus 6:3, where God stated: “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them” (Exodus 6:3, NIV). It does not signify that Adam, Noah, Abraham, and the patriarchs did not know the name “Yahweh” (see Genesis 2:4,9; Genesis 4:1,26; Genesis 7:5; Genesis 15:6-8; etc.). It means, instead, that they did not know its deeper meaning.
His name, Yahweh, points to the fact that He is the personal God, the God of His people, the God of the covenant. He is a close, intimate God who intervenes in human affairs. The Almighty God (Genesis 17:1) is the God who miraculously intervened by His power. But Yahweh is a God who demonstrates His moral power by love and care. He is the same God as Elohim (“mighty, strong, transcendent God,” the “God of all people,” “the Ruler of the universe,” “the Creator of everything”), but different aspects of His relationship to humanity are revealed by the name Yahweh itself.
Knowing the name or calling on God’s name is not something magical. It is about a proclamation of His name, which means teaching others the truth concerning this God and the salvation that He offers to all who come in faith. As Joel says: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32, NIV).
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In what ways in your own life have you experienced the closeness and intimacy with Yahweh that He seeks to have with all who are surrendered to Him? |
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It is interesting that just this week Carmel and I have been reading C S Lewis's "Mere Christianity" Book IV chapter 3, "Time and Beyond Time". Lewis discusses the notion of God outside of time. He recognises this is a difficult concept for us because everything we do is inside the framework of time.
God told Moses, "I Am That I Am". If a human, bound by time, had made that claim we would think of them as being conceitedly arrogant, or suffering from delusions. God, on the other hand was trying in the best way possible to say that he is always present and in other words, not bound by time.
Lewis continues the argument and explains how important it is to the incarnation and prophecy. However, he concludes with the caveat that the concept of timelessness is a challenging one, and that Christianity works perfectly well without understanding it.
Richard Dawkins, the well-known atheist apologist, made the admission that if God exists, he is far "bigger" than the god most theologians imagine. I like that. We like to think we can describe God by using the right words, and that makes us a target for sharp-minded atheists.
The important thing about God is that the timeless God entered time to save us and even though that event took place in a timeline we understand. Its effect is beyond time and it is personal.
"Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well That "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for God seeks such to worship Him.
God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
So this is the true definition of who God actually is from the person who should know...!
Also this implies that there are false worshippers ie: those who do not worship in spirit and in truth.
I would note"...God is a spirit.." and we '...Must worship him is spirit and in truth..." There are no options...
That is a great definition of worship, but what does it mean in practical terms? In physics, I can define Force = mass times acceleration. It is a useful definition that I can quote when asked for it in an examination. But, I need to be able to apply it in the real world of circular and projectile motion, levers and pulleys, electrons and protons, and planets and suns. The definition is useless if not put to work so that we can solve problems and understand the environment better.
So my question is, how do we worship God in spirit and truth?
1 Cor 10:31 says that whether therefore we eat or drink or whatever we do, it should be to the honor and glory of God. This is corroborated in Proverbs 3:5,6 where it says that in all our ways we should acknowledge God. To fully understand these texts, we have to be experiencing what they saying. How can we be glorifying God is everything that we are doing? Is the bible really serious when it tells us that we must live this way? Or is this just church conversations?
John 4:25,26 says that God is looking for people who will worship him in spirit and in truth. Spirit worship is worship that comes from the heart! It grows out of a relationship that has developed with the Holy Spirit. Only people who are experiencing it will fully understand it. If we cannot understand it, we should focus our prayers on begging the Holy Spirit for that experience. This is what the bible is saying is Eph 6:18. This text talks about praying "in the Spirit." We should also develop the ability to pray "in the Spirit." These things will only happen to us if we really want them in our lives. This is what Jesus was saying in Matt 5:6 where he says that only those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will get it. If we think that we are good as we are, we will never fully experience these things in our lives.
Concerning worship:in truth." John 17:17 says that "the Word is Truth." John 1:1,2 says that Jesus is the Word. This means that my worship must be in conformity with the Word. For example, if I am worshipping (corporate worship at church) on Sunday and it is not supported by the bible (the word), and I know that the bible says that the seventh day is the sabbath, then my worship is not done "in truth."
I hope this helps. Please let me know if I my thoughts are incorrect. I want to be saved as I believe you also want to be saved in God's kingdom.
Brother Maurice,Great question. I’m curious to hear what answers there are to your question “ of worshiping God in Spirit and truth”. In working with new believers, so many times rehearsed answers are given without practical applications. As a son of a teacher, I enjoy reading your commentaries and thank you so very much. Blessings to you.
Worshiping in spirit and trith is not some mystic meditation but rather a call to action as described in the judgement scene and in the admonition given by James.
Could it be worshiping God in spirit and truth is merely letting God dwell in our mind's day after day? Let Him be immanent in us.
I would like to dwell on words today. God dwells in our minds, if we are of a contrite and humble spirit(one text says humble spirit is a broken spirit). Our God is immanent, meaning He dwells in our minds.
Psalm 34:18
Psalm 51:17
Isaiah 57:15.
God's transcendence implies that His nature, power, and understanding go beyond human comprehension, making Him both unknowable and unsearchable by human means. To those who seek Him He gives mysteries. Luke 8:10.
The author has brought new understanding to me. I will be who I will be, or I am who I am. I like the parenthesis (I will be: with you, John and Lynne, or if you prefer Maruice and Carmel). Oh, by the way, day before yesterday was our 40th wedding anniversary. At the restaurant we ate at, last evening, we ran into a cousin. And the question was asked how did you stay together 40 years. Answer: compromise. Being interpreted, each goes out of their way, as far as possible to give in to each other, to help, be kind, express charity, and thoughtfulness of each other.
Well Maurice, the Greek word for worship in the received text, in the verse I quoted from John 4:23,24; is "proskyneo" which literally means-(to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand.) James 4:6-10 describes a worship that is humble, like a dog licking his master's hand.
In practical terms as you asked, in my life anyhow, I come to God, prostrate on my knees and present myself a living sacrifice. By God's grace flowing through me "I die daily" Speaking to Him and also listening to Him.
That would be the practical application of the worship that Jesus told the woman that God is seeking in Jn ch 4.
I hope this clarifies my prior thought.
Blessings to all that choose to worship in Spirit and in Truth.
Why was Moses curious to know the name of God, who was sending him to the Children of Israel? Did Moses not know the name of God? Had the Hebrew people forgotten their God’s name? What is the relevance of this question?
“But Moses protested, 'If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13, NLT).
I want to make a little examination of the above passage.
1. Moses knew who God was, but not fully. He was raised by his mother (Exodus 2:7-10) and hence he knew his heritage. However, he needed a deeper understanding of God’s character and authority, particularly in such a herculean task. In the Near East, a name represented identity and authority, and therefore, Moses was not simply looking for a mere label but the nature and essence of God. Like Moses, many people know God in name, but they lack personal revelation.
2. Largely, the Hebrews had forgotten their God. Time can wear down even a great mountain, as the adage goes. Being in bondage for a very long time had weakened and obscured their religious practices. Facing slavery, cultural assimilation, and surrounded by pure idolatry, the name of their God must have faded away. Therefore, Moses needed a convincing answer from God to convince these people. “Is this God truly able to save us from Egypt?” Like Mose, many people, when faced with insurmountable challenges, demand convincing assurances.
3. God’s response to Moses is truly remarkable: “I AM WHO I AM”. God was essentially telling Moses that I am eternal, self-existent, and unchanging. God was revealing His name as self-sufficient, present, and active, unlike the dead Egyptian idols. Like Moses, God meets us in our questioning and seeking. We are inviting God for a personal relationship with Him
“Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things...” – Jeremiah 33:3
In Exodus 3:13–14, Moses, poses a critical question 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?” This wasn’t just curiosity; it was a subtle attempt to stall or avoid the divine assignment. Moses was overwhelmed, uncertain, and quite frankly looking for a way out of the mission God was calling him to. Asking for God's name was a deeper fear of stepping into something far beyond Moses' comfort zone. God answers with a profound and foundational truth: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This wasn’t just a name it was a declaration of God's eternal, self-existent, and unchanging nature.
When we resist an engagement with God we often use similar tactics, asking deep or seemingly complex questions not always out of sincere curiosity, but as a means of delay or distraction. Like Moses, we may be more afraid of what obedience to God's will demand of us. The second reference, Exodus 6:2–3, reinforces this idea: “God also said to Moses, ‘I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.’” Here, God reveals that His name—the LORD (Yahweh)—carries a personal, covenantal weight, showing Moses and Israel that He is not only powerful but intimately faithful. The name of God is not a distraction; it’s an invitation to trust and follow the One who is.
I was thinking about today’s lesson and wondered—why did Moses even think to ask for God’s name “just in case they might ask”?
Exodus 3:13:
“Then Moses said to God, ‘Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you.” Now they may say to me, “What is His name?” What shall I say to them?’”
Why couldn’t Moses just say, “It’s the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”? Why did he think a name was so important?
Then I remembered something from last week’s lesson! On Tuesday, it talked about how other gods had names, like Ra, Osiris, and Horus. That helped it make more sense. In Egypt, and in every surrounding nation, every god had a name. So maybe Moses was just being realistic: if he came saying a god had sent him, the people would naturally ask, “Which god? What’s His name?”
Still, it’s interesting that God didn’t just say, “I don’t have a name; just tell them I’m the God of your fathers.”
As you know, He actually gave Moses a name: “I AM WHO I AM.” And this connects again to last week’s introduction lesson. Recall that in Hebrew, the book of Exodus is called Shemot, which means “Names.” Names play an important role in the narrative (Pharaoh’s name is omitted, while the Hebrew midwives’ names, Shiphrah and Puah, are included). That contrast tells us something whenever names do appear.
The Introduction to the lesson said, “The God of Moses is the God of relationships.” And it makes much more sense, in a book where names matter, that God, who is the main character of Exodus, would want to be known by name. God wasn’t just sending Moses with a message; He was introducing Himself. God wanted to, not only dwell with His people, but also be on a first-name basis. He wanted to be known, not as a distant deity, but as a personal friend.
If “one comes to God in faith” he/she is “given” salvation, I think or would hope, not “offered” salvation.
God has been the One Who has cut off whatever is unnecessary in my life, the One Who restores whatever needs restoration, and the giver of new things I did not even imagine I needed. His ways are perfect and to be praised, because He is always working for my good.
God linking His name to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob reveals several deep truths:
1. It affirms that God is the same One who made promises to their ancestors—about a land, a people, and a mission to bless the world. He is now acting to fulfill those promises.
2. God is not a new or foreign deity. By naming their patriarchs, He grounds His identity in Israel’s history. He’s the God they’ve heard about, now actively involved in their present.
3. This name shows that God is not distant. He formed personal, intimate relationships with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and now seeks the same with their descendants.
4. By invoking the patriarchs, God is saying, “You can trust Me now, just as they did.” He invites the Israelites to see their current suffering in light of His long-standing faithfulness.
In essence, God’s self-identification with the patriarchs is a reminder that He is unchanging, trustworthy, and deeply committed to His people through every generation.
What can I say today that hasn't already been said by each contributor who have enhanced the meaning of who our God is and who His name is.
We can benefit from each new description presented on the blog that draws us closer to our loving, ever present God who demonstrates His own love for us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
Moses knew about the plan of salvation and the promised Seed who will one day destroy the defeated deceiver, Satan. Just a thought. Sometime later in his life, Moses may have been able to more easily describe who God is without asking God who he should say he is, but God has the answers to our questions just when we need them most if we believe in Him when we ask.
So how do we are go out to minister? be it to witness to the drunkard, the gambler, the sick , the demon possessed...whose name are we going in? Do we stand on the authority of the Name of the Lord . Luke 10:17 tells us to go in the name of the Lord and see the transformation and success of our ministries .. the I am who I am for that particular situation - Healer, Deliverer, Saviour, Shield & Defense,Friend, Sustainer. Use the Lords name , change our language to the language of Canaan..say ."my sister, my brother, I come to you in the name of Yahweh"..and see miracles wrought by the Holy Spirit. Thank God its power is still avaliable to each of us today.
Barb,
Christ said, "in My name," are we to go out and meet the public. Now let's be practical we don't just walk up to a stranger and say I come to you in the name of Christ Jesus. Jesus did not do that he became acquainted with them first. Asked a favor, then told them of the living water of which they shall be filled and never thirst again. Now those you come in contact with; you may get the opportunity to pray with them, awkward, maybe, maybe not. When I do, I always end the prayer, in Jesus name amen. Let's see what Jesus taught the disciples. John 14:13. Note in Christ name it is to glorify our Father in heaven. "Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name." Luke 11:2.
"The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them. He has a use for them, and He is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large things if they have faith in His promises." The Desire of Ages, 668.1.
"In My name," Christ bade His disciples pray. In Christ's name His followers are to stand before God. Through the value of the sacrifice made for them, they are of value in the Lord's sight. Because of the imputed righteousness of Christ, they are accounted precious. For Christ's sake the Lord pardons those that fear Him. He does not see in them the vileness of the sinner. He recognizes in them the likeness of His Son, in whom they believe." Based on The Desire of Ages 667.5. Or if you prefer chapter 73 in the new modern English version Humble Hero. Both are based on John 13:31-38; John 14; John 15; John 16; John 17.
So, when we go out to witness we pray in private, that our Father in Heaven will bring me to someone today to talk about Jesus, in Jesus name amen, and have faith, He will. Again, remember to glorify our Father in Heaven. Maybe it will be 5-7 days before He answers your prayer, or maybe today He will bring you, 3 contacts depending on your interaction with the public.
I trust this helps you
Each time I call on His Name — Yahweh, God Almighty, Elohim, the great I Am Who I Am — I am not simply speaking words, but lifting my soul to the One who is eternal and unchanging. He is the God who named Himself - I Am Who I Am -, declaring Himself the Source of all Life and Truth. And in His Love of Righteousness, He came to us in the person of Jesus — 'God in the flesh' — to reveal that Truth fully.
Through Him, we come to know that there is only one true God, righteous and merciful, who walks with us in seasons of abundance and in times of need. I have chosen to follow Jesus - Yeshua. It means 'The Lord saves', or 'the LORD is Salvation'. His name is etched on my heart, fills my thoughts, and rests on my lips at all times.
In joy and in sorrow, I turn to Him — the One we are called to thank in all things, the One who steadies our heart when it grows restless. To every believer is given one name that bears the fullness of God’s Truth: Jesus - Phil.2:6–11; blessed be His name!