What's in a Name? - God's Revelation to Moses

A Famous Question: Shakespeare

Juliet Capulet

In a garden, set high above her family’s estate, the lovestruck Juliet Capulet would pose what is perhaps one of the most famous/infamous questions in all of Western Poetry:

What’s in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;

And for that name, which is no part of thee,

Take all myself. (2.1.85–86)

Leaning out of her upstairs window, unaware that Romeo stands just below her in an orchard, Juliet asks why Romeo must be Romeo—why he must be a Montague, the son of her family’s greatest enemy.

What’s in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet;So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;And for that name, which is no part of thee,Take all myself.

What’s in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;

By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d, Retain that dear perfection which he owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;And for that name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself.

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Unaware of Romeo’s presence, she asks her dear Romeo to deny the name of his family for her love, and adds that if he will not, she will deny her family name in order to be with him if he were to simply confess that he loves her.

Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;

And for that name, which is no part of thee,

This famous balcony scene presents a major theme that will run throughout the remainder of the story, that of the tension between one’s outer identity (defined by one’s name) and inner identity (defined by the one’s character). Juliet believes that that the two can be separated, having nothing to do with one another; however, the brilliant Shakespeare sets out, EVEN from the stories prologue, that such hopes are but youthful ignorance.

Take all myself. (2.1.85–86)

Unfortunately, for those who know how this story ends, there will be no separation for these star-crossed lovers.

“What’s in a name?” she asks. “That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet”

We find through this tale that their is much in a name, and that more often than not, what we choose to call ourselves reflects a great deal upon who we are, and how we wish to be perceived.

So what are we to make of the name of our God?

The living and active, cosmic creator of all that we see?

How has he chosen to define himself to us?

Well, if you have your bibles, now is the time to take them up and read; for it is *here* (and only *here*) that we will find for ourselves an answer to such a question.

To answer this, we must first ask - “What is the Name of our God?

How does this sovereign, cosmic ruler and creator of all the universe choose to be referenced?

Well, I have attempted to set out 4 major texts of Scripture, each pointing us to a new attribute of who God is.

The Majest of His Name

The Declaration of His Name

The Incarnation of His Name

The Commission of His Name

And so we begin with...

We see early in scripture that the first man, Adam, refers to the Creator God as YHWH (yehwaw), or LORD, an historical divine name, EMANATING from a divine being.

In fact, such a name for God is so historical and so ancient, that its first reference sits at the very front of God’s word.

that it first occurs

English Standard Version Chapter 2

These are the generations

of the heavens and the earth when they were created,

in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.

It is from this account that we know that Adam himself used this name for God as a symbol of his close relationship with him; however, this companionship, this intimacy, like so many other truly good things, was ruined at the fall

Adam would choose sin over knowing intimately this name

Adam would value self over truly knowing his life-sourse

And so mankind, through Adam, would lose the ability to understand and employ this divine name for God, instead reducing it to a place holder, four letters, known as the tetragrammaton, in scripture...

Waiting for the day when we might fully come to know the majesty behind this one true name again… YHWH.

Though we no longer inherently know what meaning stood behind that name, YHWH // God, in his grace, has seen fit to reveal snapshots of his majesty to us in our fallen state.

So, I would like us to move forward as we explore the name of God in Scripture together.

Please flip in your bibles to Ex. Ch. 3:14-17, as we will attempt to learn (or RE-learn) FIRST the Supremacy of God’s Name, and then other characteristics which stand behind his name as well.

THE DECLARATION OF OUR GOD

To set the stage for , God has commissioned the once royal, now disgraced, shepherd Moses to go into Egypt and be His voice for deliverance to the people.

Understandably frightened, perhaps overwhelmed by the task, Moses raises an objection to the God of his fathers.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

In response, the LORD would comforts him “I will be with you”

This, however, is still not enough. Moses seeks more detail. He pushes for more authority.

[When I] say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you’… they may say to me, ‘What is his name?’ What shall I say to them?

God’s response is one of the most

English Standard Version Chapter 3

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘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, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘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, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ 18

English Standard Version Chapter 3

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘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, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

...

English Standard Version Chapter 3

This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

… (OPTIONA

… (OPTIONAL)

English Standard Version Chapter 3

I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Here the God of Moses, the God of Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham has revealed an important characteristic about himself.

(‘ehyeh Asher ‘ehyeh) ------- אֶֽהיה אֲשֶׁר אֶֽהיה ------- (I AM WHO I AM)

The Hebrew phrasing here could also be understood as I AM WHAT I AM, or I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE

This is the supreme title for God, emphasizing his presence, care, concern for relationship with his people.

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 181 אֶהְיֶה

a title of God with a focus on presence, care, concern, and relationship

This is a simple, absolute truth claim to a waiting world who has always and will continue to hate absolute truth.

It is also a simple, absolute truth

Its a claim to a waiting world who has always and will continue to hate absolute truth.

THIS is the cosmic creator and sustainer of ALL life, telling his creation that he stands at its center. Founding and stabilizing. Dictating and defining every atom that makes up our reality.

It’s is the cosmic creator and sustainer of life, telling his creation that he stands at its center. Founding and stabilizing, dictating and defininig every atom that makes up reality. I Am is as simple and absolute as truth can be, and it is the central fiber of who God has revealed himself to be.

‘I Am’ is as simple and absolute as truth can be, and it is the central fiber of who God is.

This may be difficult for some, as our post-modern tendencies want to rail against such truth claim, against such a God.

We may hate the idea of a God who speaks of himself in absolute terms, defining himself and putting himself in a box; though, it is surprisingly comforting to those who do place their trust into such a being.

Isn’t it good to know that you have fully and completely submitted yourself to one who had no beginning and therefore will never end? He never becomes anything, he need never improve. He is simply and absolutely there to be dealt with on his own terms or not at all.

In fact, isn’t it good to know that you have fully and completely submitted yourself to one who had no beginning and therefore will never end? He never becomes anything, he need never improve. He is simply and absolutely present, and he demands to be dealt with on his own terms or not at all.

No beginning, no end. He simply is. Enthralling!

This is where the world, as we know it, begins to take shape. It is in this central characteristic of our creator.

Our reality begins to come into view when the absoluteness of God is present. He sets into motion our thought, reason, emotions, and definitions. He tells us that water will quench our thirst and fire will keep us warm at night. Whether you like it or not, this ‘I Am’ goes before you. WE - have no choice in the matter. We are owned by Him, as is everything else. And no matter how much ranting or raving, philosophizing or doubting occurs, He remains.

Isn’t it good to know that you have fully and completely submitted yourself to one who had no beginning and therefore will never end? He never becomes anything, he need never improve. He is simply and absolutely there to be dealt with on his own terms or not at all.

He is not dictated by us, he dictates to us.

And he says to Moses (and to us), “Tell them ‘I Am’ has sent you.

If you ever questioned the supremacy or centrality of God in this world, this thought should be enough to settle the matter for you.

No beginning, no end. He simply is. Enthralling!

HE was there before we came. HE will be there long after we are gone. I Am means that you and I are not. We are not the end-all-be-all, as much as our culture argues that we ought to be. There is something more, something bigger. His name is ‘I Am’ and he tells us that “from him and through him and to him are all things ()

HE was there before you ever were. AND HE will be there long after you are gone. “I Am” means that you and I are not. We are not the end-all-be-all. There is something more, something bigger.

No beginning, no end. He simply is. Enthralling!

His name is ‘I Am’ and he tells us that “from him and through him and to him are all things ()

Moving forward, we recognize that it is out of this majesty // out of the ‘IAM’ flows a variety of other divine characteristics. but they find their source in this Name above all Names. This divine and HOLY Character of God.

Out of this supremacy flows a host of other divine characteristics. As we continue to explore ‘What is in God’s Name’, is like to point you to another revealtory moment of God and his Character. ()

Though we are limited in more ways than one tonight, we must push forward to another revelatory moment of God and his Character. ()

In another scene of divine revelation, the LORD would further define himself to Moses, and consequently to you and I today. ()

Beginning in verse 12, we read -

English Standard Version Chapter 33

12 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight

English Standard Version Chapter 33

Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.

English Standard Version Chapter 33

12 Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”

English Standard Version Chapter 33

Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” 14 And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

...

English Standard Version Chapter 33

17 And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

...

English Standard Version Chapter 33

And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

...

English Standard Version Chapter 34

The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” 8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.

English Standard Version Chapter 34

5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” 8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.

Prior to this scene, we knew only of the Lord’s Power and Majesty and Holiness over the Earth.

Prior to this scene, we knew only of the Lord’s Power and Majesty

Now, we begin to see accents of his Mercy and his Grace.

Following the egregious sin of the Isrealites.

Our God responds by placing Moses in the cleft of a rock and giving him just a passing glimpse of his glory.

A reminder, once again, that we stand at a loss when it comes to truly seeing God as he intended for all mankind, through Adam in the garden.

However, its through this act of Divine revelation, that each of us finds ourselves one step closer to seeing the full glory of God and the majesty which rests in his name.

He is revealing himself to us, and he is doing so by NAME and by DECLARATION.

Look with me briefly at how the LORD offers a glimpse of his Glory, and declares to us his Name.

He declares ‘The Lord, The Lord...’

If you did not think the repetition here was intentional, it was!

He wants you to know his name, and he wants to to know that what follows is a further revelation of that name. An added understanding of who he is.

he continues...

‘Merciful and Gracious, Slow to Anger, and Abounding in Steadfast Love and Faithfulness”

Each a characteristic of God’s character that Israel’s story had at one time or another encountered, but had not yet fully been developed.

Keeping Steadfast Love for Thousands, Forgiving iniquity and Transgression and SIn,”

This would be new to the Israelite people. A God who forgives sin? How can that be? How will that come to pass?

he continues...

“… but will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.”

And so the answer rests in a future generation. In a coming revelation, by which sin will not overlooked but dealt with justly.

A future in which the law is NOT made void, but fulfilled.

A future generation, where the knowledge of the Name of God is both furthered and finished by one who is not themselves.

And so we come to...

Permit me to skip ahead a bit, first to and then to where we find the answer to this previous revelation and a FURTHER iteration to the Name of God.

Left waiting for generations, the Nation of Israel would long for the moment when God would make good on his declaration.

Then one night, an Angel of the Lord would appear, saying:

English Standard Version Chapter 2

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Who was this child? We are told that it was Jesus of Nazareth, the coming savior to fulfill all that God had previously declared.

But what does this have to do with the Name of God, you might ask?

Well, move quickly with me now to .

Here, after Jesus would live a life characterized by love and humility, holiness and sacrifice, the apostle Paul would pen these most wonderful words for those of us who did not know him, but wish to love him.

He writes:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

A new revelation!

An added piece to the Majesty of that name we men had forgotten in our sin.

Some 1400 years later, he would compose some of the finest, most God glorifying words known to man.

It is in this most wonderful incarnation that God would give each of us a new reason to praise and glorify his name.

Jesus was their at the beginning, no doubt.

but his role was not yet revealed.

He was waiting in the wings, for the appointed time by which he would enter into the time and space he created, and give his creation back what they had so arrogantly once thrown away!

On behalf of his father, acting as the Firstborn of us all, Jesus would take the stage and reconcile God and man!

And so we look to this incarnation, first as reconciliation, praising God for the person and work of Jesus in our place on the cross.

Becoming our sin, bearing our curse, facing our wrath, and making peace by the blood of his cross

But we also look to this incarnation as revelation, giving us even more reason to praise God and the character of his divine being.

Power and majesty, grace and mercy, humility and self sacrifice

All present and observable in the person and work of Jesus

As ‘all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.”

And so a final piece of the puzzle is left for us this evening.

That of...

To conclude our time together, I’d ask that you make one last excursion with me to the Book of

Here we read

English Standard Version Chapter 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We have seen already the:

MAJESTY of His Name

Standing high and above all earthly wisdom and power

The DECLARATION of His Name

Making known to generations his character and will in our world

The INCARNATION of his Name

Proving himself faithful and intimately known to an undeserving people

And now we come to the COMMISSION of his name

the necessary implication for God’s name

The calling of his beloved to himself through the person and work of Christ,

and the setting of their gaze on eternity.

In Philippians, we see the consummation of God’s name in our fallen world.

We see that everything we have learned about the character of God

His supremacy, his power, his creativity, his faithfulness, his mercy and grace , his EVERYTHING

It is all laid at the foot of Jesus.

It is all given to the savior, the reconciler, the one who emptied himself as a servant and humbly obeyed the commission of God into death for a dying world.

All the Majesty and Glory of the name once known in the garden as YHWH, belongs to the risen Jesus who was hung on a tree.

He did what you and I could never do.

He defeated death, and sin, and shame.

He arose to sit at the right hand of the father in glory, and takes on the most magnificent, indescribable and holy name NOT KNOWN SINCE THE GARDEN OF EDEN!

...

And then, as the next verse in tells us… he gave us a name.

look carefully, because otherwise you may miss it.

This Jesus (who at his name every knee will bow and every tongue will confess as Lord), this Jesus calls us beloved.

Beloved.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

This God, whose supreme name of intimacy and relationship, and presence had once previously been lost on mankind, has given us a new name of love.

And he has given us a means of living with him again in his Spirit, until we are fully reunited with him in glory.

Beloved, as you have always obeyed… work out your salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God (and majesty which rests in his name) who works in you.

This is the Commission of His Name

A final glimpse out of the cleft of the rock before seeing his full glory

A final declaration of living in obedience and intimacy for His good pleasure

A final Name of Supremacy by which EVERY knee will one day bow.

148 Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his hosts!

3 Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!

For he commanded and they were created.

6 And he established them forever and ever;

he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy wind fulfilling his word!

9 Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

10 Beasts and all livestock,

creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

12 Young men and maidens together,

old men and children!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his majesty is above earth and heaven.

14 He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to him.

Praise the Lord!

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .

What's in a Name? - God's Revelation to Moses

What’s in a Name?

What’s in the Name of Our God?

1. THE MAJESTY OF HIS NAME

2. THE DECLARATION OF HIS NAME

3. THE INCARNATION OF HIS NAME

THE COMMISSION OF HIS NAME