"And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."
Exodus 3:15 is part of the account where God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush on Mount Horeb and commissioned him to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. In this verse, God instructs Moses to relay a specific message to the Israelites regarding His identity and the significance of His name.
God’s Identification:The verse begins with God’s declaration to Moses about His identity: "The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." God emphasizes His connection to the patriarchs of Israel, signifying His faithfulness to the covenant He made with them and their descendants. By referencing the fathers of Israel, God establishes His authority and legitimacy in commissioning Moses.
God’s Name:God continues by declaring, "this is my name forever." In response to Moses’ query about His name in the preceding verses, God reveals His divine name as "I AM WHO I AM" or "Yahweh" (Exodus 3:14). The name Yahweh represents God’s self-existence, eternality, and unchanging nature. It signifies that God is the ultimate source of all existence, the One who has always been and always will be.
God’s Memorial:The verse concludes with God stating, "this is my memorial unto all generations." Here, God expresses that His name and His identity as the God of the patriarchs-Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-will serve as a perpetual memorial throughout all generations. God’s desire is for the Israelites to remember and honor Him as the same God who made promises to their forefathers. By establishing this memorial, God ensures that His faithfulness and covenant relationship with His people will be remembered throughout history.
The significance of Exodus 3:15 extends beyond the historical context of Moses and the Israelites. It reflects the timeless nature of God and His desire for an ongoing relationship with His people. The verse highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring God’s name, acknowledging His faithfulness to the promises He has made, and passing on this knowledge to future generations.
Overall, Exodus 3:15 serves as a reminder to all believers of the enduring nature of God’s character, His covenant, and His desire for a continued relationship with His people throughout all generations.
