Been thinking about God's name. The Hebrew name for God, translate LORD in all caps is YHWH. YHWH is an odd variation of the "to be verb." This makes it a little tricky to translate. I like the translation that God's name is "I am what I will be, I will be what I am." 1/

Names in ancient cultures were often packed with meaning. Abram: exalted father, Abraham: father of multitudes, Moses: to draw out, Peter: the rock...and the list goes on. In this context, names expressed what you did or God did through you. So what does God's name tell us. 2/

I've often focused on God's name telling us of God's unchanging character or ultimate authority, but I think I missed something deeper. God's name actually tells us very little. Seems God is intentional in this vague revelation. "I am," does not really tell us what God does. 3/

God could have said, my name is "I save" or "I am justice" or "I am grace" or "I am good." However, God just says "I am what I will be, I will be what I am. That is my name." Honestly, this name would be very confusing if God did not provide us with something else. 4/

God does not just provide Moses or the children of Israel with his name. He also provides them his presence. His presence defines the character of his name. His name requires we find his presence to truly know him. 5/

By coming to us as YHWH (I am), God keeps us from turning his name into an idol we can use or manipulate without his presence. If his name included a characteristic of love, grace, justice then we would take his name & apply our understanding of love, grace, and justice to it. 6/