“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”
Exodus 3:13 is part of the dialogue between Moses and God at the burning bush. In this passage, Moses is expressing his concern about how the Israelites would respond when he goes to them with the message that God has sent him to deliver them from slavery in Egypt.
Moses acknowledges that when he presents himself before the Israelites and informs them that the God of their fathers has sent him, they will naturally inquire about the name of this God. In ancient cultures, a name often represented a person’s character, authority, and nature. Therefore, asking for God’s name was a way of seeking to understand His identity and power.
Let’s continue with Exodus 3:14 (KJV), as it is closely connected to Moses’ question:
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
God’s response to Moses’ question is significant. He declares, “I AM THAT I AM” or “I AM WHO I AM.” This name, often written as “YHWH” or “Yahweh” in Hebrew, signifies God’s eternal existence, self-sufficiency, and unchanging nature. It indicates that God is the ultimate and eternal reality, the source of all existence. His very nature embodies self-existence and self-sufficiency.
Moreover, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites, “I AM hath sent me unto you.” By using this name, God emphasizes His active presence and involvement with His people. He assures Moses that it is the same God who has been with their forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is sending him. This name serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ability to deliver His people.
The significance of this passage extends beyond Moses’ time. The name Yahweh becomes the primary name of God in the Hebrew Scriptures, affirming God’s eternal nature, authority, and faithfulness to His people. It emphasizes His constant presence and active involvement in the lives of those who seek Him.
This encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush sets the stage for the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and their journey to the Promised Land. It establishes Moses as God’s chosen instrument and reveals God’s divine nature, reinforcing the foundation of faith for the Israelites and providing us with a glimpse into the character of the God we worship today.
Overall, Exodus 3:13 (KJV) and the subsequent verse, Exodus 3:14 (KJV), reveal God’s revelation of His name and His commitment to deliver His people, offering us insight into His nature as an eternal, self-existent, and faithful God.
