08. Knowing the name YHWH: Assurance of Deliverance (Ex 5:23-6:10)

 To Moses’ complaint, ‘Will you really deliver us?’, the Lord revealed his name YHWH and confirmed the deliverance.

πŸ‘‰ Read Exodus 5:22-6:12

God answered Moses’ complaint (5:22-23). God had revealed His name as (                            ) to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But now God will reveal His name (                 ) to the Israelites through this salvation. This name YHWH (YHWH is four consonants of the Hebrew word for God’s name. They read it as ‘the LORD’) means that God keeps His (                ) given to their ancestors and God frees them from their (                 ) by Egyptians. (v2-6)

How many times does God say, “I am the LORD (or Jehovah, or YHWH)” in v2-8? How many times do you read “I will”?

Even (           ) was discouraged by people’s unbelief and unwilling to talk to Pharaoh. However, God would deliver them through this reluctant leader, Moses. Therefore, their deliverance was solely by God’s power and grace. (v9-12)

Answers and Meditation

God Almighty, the LORD (YHWH), promise, slavery

As God’s salvation work advances, His new character is revealed. And thus, a new name of God is announced. Finding His new character through a daily walk with the Lord is delightful.

The Israelites wrote God’s name YHWH but dared not to read it literally out of reverence. Instead, they read YHWH ‘Adonai’, meaning ‘my Lord.’ Reading that way made them forget how to read it. Some western scholars read YHWH as Yahweh or Jehovah, as found in some English versions. Many English versions translate YHWH as ‘the LORD’ in capital letters. 

 

I am the Lord (or Jehovah, YHWH): four times.

The name YHWH (read 'the LORD' or 'Jehovah or Yahweh) indicates a character of God who wants a personal relationship with His people. Such a relationship assumes covenantal faithfulness between two free-willed beings. Thus, His people were supposed to be freed from any oppression and then, voluntarily, to have a faithful relationship with YHWH. 

Because of such a character of God, their deliverance from slavery is guaranteed. 


I will: six times

As the name of God, YHWH, implies, God Himself will surely deliver them. He called Abraham and promised the land by His own initiative. Now, He is about to accomplish His promise.


Moses

Moses might have wanted signs of deliverance. But, the Lord confirmed the fulfillment of the promise by revealing His name.

The more we know about God, the easier we trust Him. No matter what we do, God will fulfill his promise. He also wants our freedom because of His nature. 

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