God’s Forever Name

Reflections on Exodus 3:1-22

“But Moses replied,

“When I go to the

Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors sent me to you, they will ask me, “What is his name?’ So what can I tell them?” God said, “I am who I am. You must tell them: “The one who is called I AM has sent me to you’ Tell the Israelites that I, the Lord, the God of their ancestors , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have sent you to them. This is my name forever; this is what all future generations are to call me.” Exodus 3:13-15

I have been in situations, I am sure you have too, where I was to talk with someone that didn’t know me. What do I tell them? Will they let me talk and share what is on my mind? Will they even let me through their door? Today we have a term known as a referral or to put it in a different termname dropping. When we share the name with the person who referred us the response is usually “Oh do you know Charlie, do you know Ted, do you know Mary?” The person who referred us is either a friend or has a good reputation with this person, their door is open to us.

God told Moses at the burning bush, that he wanted Moses to go to Egypt and tell the Pharaoh to let God’s people go free from their captivity. Moses didn’t want to do this because he had killed an Egyptian overseer years ago and would be killed if he went back. God assured him that wouldn’t happen because he would be with Moses. Since Moses couldn’t “worm” himself out of that one if he did talk to the Israelites and they asked who sent him God said I AM sent you. This was what they would know him as, through the generations of their ancestors. This is what happened and because God was with him, everything came to pass as God said.

God’s forever name is I am. Through the Old and New Testaments, there are hundreds of references to God’s name I am. Most of the time people were comforted by hearing God’s name. Sometimes people were trembling when they heard his name. It all depends on what the people or person was doing if it was in God’s favor or not. You can trace through the references to God’s name I am and see the variety of ways it is mentioned, right through when Jesus was asked “Are you the Messiah?” he never said he was but said I am.

How is your reputation when you refer others? If some people do not trust. The doors of opportunity do not open and the person mentioning your name is suspect. When your name is seen favorably then anything is possible, even in a difficult situation. But the key is trust. Trust in the person who sent you. Trust in the person you talk with. But most of all, trust in the Lord who walks with you at all times.

Dear Lord, your name is forever. It is known throughout the world, even with people who do not believe in you. Thank you for giving the assurance of your presence in my life and holding your name that gives life. Amen.