The Name of God: Exodus 3:13-15; Psalm 9:10; Philippians 2:9-11
One of the most important questions that humans have asked throughout history is: What is the name of God? How can we know and address the Creator of the universe? In this blog post, we will explore some of the biblical passages that reveal God’s name and its significance for us.
The first passage is Exodus 3:13-15, where Moses encounters God in the burning bush. God tells Moses that he has chosen him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses asks God what his name is, so that he can tell the people who has sent him. God replies: “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.'” God also says: “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”
What does this name mean? The Hebrew word for “I am” is ehyeh, which is related to the word yahweh, or Jehovah, which means “he is” or “he causes to be”. This name expresses God’s self-existence, his eternal and unchangeable nature, his incomprehensibility, and his faithfulness to his promises. It also connects him with his covenant relationship with his people, as the God of their ancestors.
The second passage is Psalm 9:10, where David praises God for his justice and mercy. He says: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Here, the name of God is a source of confidence and hope for those who love him. To know God’s name is to know his character and his deeds. It is to experience his presence and his protection. It is to trust in his power and his grace.
The third passage is Philippians 2:9-11, where Paul describes the exaltation of Jesus Christ after his humiliation and death on the cross. He says: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Here, the name of Jesus is the supreme name in all creation. It is the name that reveals God’s salvation and lordship. It is the name that commands our worship and our obedience. It is the name that glorifies God the Father.
These passages show us that God’s name is not just a word or a label. It is a revelation of who he is and what he has done for us. It is a invitation to know him and love him. It is a call to honor him and serve him. May we always cherish and respect the name of God.
