A Name and a covenant
In this week’s Exodus passage, we read one of the most defining moments in the Bible.
Exodus 6
2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them.”
G-d gave His commands and promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but withheld His true name from them. Here we see that He gave His true name to Moses for all the people to know. When He revealed Himself to the avot (patriarchs), He referred to Himself as El Shaddai. This mighty one revealed many of His attributes to the avot but did not fully reveal the source and power of all those attributes.
When the Name of G-d is given it is like having a source code to a program. He is the source code to life, the universe and all that is. From Him everything that is made was made. His name is more than just something to call Him, it is a reference to His very nature.
In Hebrew it is represented by four letters: יְהֹוָה Yud, Hey, Vav, Hey.
There are a couple of pronunciations that have been researched over the years. The two most popular are Yehovah or Yahweh. This name essentially carries the code of all things within it. He is in all things and everything is within Him. He is, He was, and He always will be. He is all powerful, all knowing, always present. He IS!
This was the name Moses was to give to Pharaoh and the people. In that name, they would know who to serve and worship: The one true G-d.
The passage continues.
“4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’” 9 Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.”
G-d makes four promises to Israel. In a way, they prophesy the promises He makes to us. This week, as you read these passages, take some time to meditate on who G-d is and what a relationship with Him is built upon.
Questions to consider:
How do you view G-d?
In what ways has G-d provided for you deliverance and freedom?
What miracles are you seeking from G-d?
