“Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him (Moses); and he called out his own name, Yahweh.” (Exodus 34:5)
For the first time, God revealed His Name to Moses and then to the Israelites to inform them of His plan to free them from the harsh enslavement Pharaoh imposed on them. God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you. Yahweh, the God of your ancestors- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob-has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.” (Exodus 3:14-15)
It was in this epic rescue story that God demonstrated His might, power, and zealous passion for His people. God imposed 10 plagues of horror on Pharaoh and the Egyptians, securing the release of His people. Then God drowned Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea when they chased after the Israelites. The LORD Yahweh led the Israelites, his own special treasure, through the desert and performed more miraculous wonders before them until they finally arrived at Mount Sinai to worship God.
Moses went up the mountain to speak with the LORD. Since Moses was with the LORD a long time, the Israelites got tired of waiting and made a golden calf to lead them. This angered the LORD greatly, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them.” (Exodus 32:10) Thank goodness Moses was able to intervene and God changed his mind!
Well, Moses saw the chaos at the base of the mountain and was so angry, he smashed the stone tablets with the 10 commandments of the LORD on the ground. Then he had all the Levites who were for the LORD kill everyone who was not for the LORD, and about 3,000 died that day. Because Moses spent so much time with the LORD, all unholiness was intolerable to him. His time with the LORD stirred up a fierce passion for the holiness of Yahweh that could not be contained!
Are we passionately pursuing Yahweh and spending time in the presence of the great I AM to the point where all things are completely insignificant in comparison?
Moses spent time with the LORD and was passionate to know and understand Yahweh more. “You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor.” (Exodus 33:13)
The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty….” (Exodus 34:5-7) Furthermore, “you must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous (Jehovah), is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.” (Exodus 34:14)
The LORD’s very name Jealous (Yahweh/Jehovah) isn’t the green-eyed monster we are familiar with. “For God, jealousy is a measure of His devotion, his passionate caring; for him it is a fire that consumes His enemies (Deut. 4:24 and Zeph. 1:18), but it also protects and provides for those who belong to Him (Joel 2:18 and Isaiah 9:7).” (quote of an unknown Christ follower)
God saved a people who would deny and reject Him. Why? Because GOD IS fiercely loyal; faithful when we are faithless; and for our good. He is to be exalted and worshipped as the one true God!
Yahweh wants us to believe in Him and live. And because GOD IS Love, Holy, Righteous, and Merciful, He sent His Son, Jesus, with all of His authority to give life to anyone who would believe in Him.
“The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.” (John 5: 26) All the Scriptures point to one person: Jesus Christ. “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” (John 8:58)
I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35)
I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12)
I AM the Gate (John 10:9)
I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26)
I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
I AM the Vine (John 15:1)
Dear Lord, stir a desire in me to passionately pursue You! Open my eyes, so I can see your glory and rejoice in Your Name! Humble my heart, so that I can receive your forgiveness and really live and worship You! In Jesus’ Beautiful Name, Amen