BIBLE TOPICS

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path". Ps 119:105

Subjects

THE NAMES OF GOD

We read in Exodus 3:13-15 that Moses asked by what name he should reveal God to the people of Israel. The common translations of the name God revealed to Moses are ‘I Am that I Am’ or ‘I Am has sent you.’ These are very poor translations and a more accurate rendering is Ehyeh = ‘I will be’. The Hebrew word Ehyeh means to be, to become, to come to pass. Now ‘EHYEH ASHER EHYEH’ [Exod 3:14] is interesting to note. John Thomas renders Yahweh as meaning ‘He who will be’ and Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh as ‘I will be who I will be’

Without going into the Hebrew translation this is quite accurate and many modern translators now agree with this view. 'I will be who (or what--ASHER can mean either) I will be'. Or "I will be (or, become) whatever I will (or, please, choose)" Thus the Name is prophetic.

The related name YAHWEH is the causative form of HAYAH, 'to be; in its context here it may be translated "He Who causes to be (or, become) what He chooses."

What does God choose ‘to be or become’, in fulfilment of the name YAHWEH 'He will cause to be (become) what He chooses'? The answer lies in the glory of God revealed to Moses - see Exod 34:6-7. Thus Yahweh chooses to reveal himself in traits of character that He discloses as being associated with His name ‘YAHWEH’. Coupled with the intent of God that the earth will be filled with His glory [Numbers 14:21, Habakkuk 2:14 ], we see the Memorial Name of God as significant and outworking in His purpose.

This revealed name of God is of primary importance to understand, being as it is, prophetic of the full development of the Divine purpose with His creation of man. It is prophetic of the time when God will be manifested in those who are redeemed, granted eternal life and who will reveal the glory of Yahweh, that is His glorious and holy character. The Divine name signified as Yahweh Elohim comprises the declared purpose of God and signifies the time when the family name of God is expressed in the glorious multitude of the redeemed in Jesus Christ who will live in that glorious age to come.