In Scripture, names are very important. Solomon in Ecclesiastes 7:2 wrote that a good name is more valuable than great riches: “A good name is better than precious ointment.” The most expensive women’s perfume is Clive Christian. It is made in England and it cost $5,000.00 for 1.05 ounces. But if you order on-line you get free shipping. Solomon, who knew the exorbitant life, said, your reputation is your most valuable possession.
Parents today often name children based on popularity of the name. Naming of babies is an entire industry. You can go to babycenter.com and find the lists of the topmost popular names for babies to help you name your new baby boy or girl. For example, the five most popular names for boys in 2023 are Liam, Noah, Oliver, Elijah, and Mateo. The top five most popular names for girls in 2023 are Emma, Amelia, Sophia, and Ava.
Children were named in Bible times to reflect their character. In first 1 Samuel 25:25, Nabal lived up to his name. His name means fool. Jesus told Simon in John 4:42 that he will eventually be called Cephas or Peter which means rock because Peter would grow and become a rock like believer. In Matthew 1:21-23, the angel told Joseph that his stepson would be named Jesus and Immanuel. These names indicated who Jesus was (Immanuel or God with us) and what Jesus would do (Jesus or save us from our sins).
God in Scripture also reveals Himself to us through His name and His names. So, we have “the Name” (singular) of the Lord and the names of the Lord. The name and names of God are His self-revelation to us.
1. The Name of the Lord
Berkhof writes of the significance of the singular name of God: “The name stands for the whole manifestation of God in His relations to His people, or simply for the person, so that it becomes synonymous with God” (Systematic Theology, 47). The name represented who God was in His total person in His relation to His people as in Exodus 33:18-34:7. Moses asked God, “Show me who you are.” God responded by saying that He would declare to Moses “the name” that is, He would reveal to Moses all His attributes which He did in Exodus 34.
When we honor God’s name we honor God (Matt 6:9). When we dishonor God’s name we dishonor God (Ex 20:7). When we praise God’s name we praise God (Psalm 48:10).
2. The Names of God
“For us the one general name of God is split up into many names, expressive of the many-sided Being of God” (Berkhof, 47). There are three different names of God in the Exodus 6 narrative that reveal three different attributes of God that are practical to us in our trials.
A. God/Elohim (Exodus 6:2) reveals God’s strength
This is the first name of God in Scripture: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God’s strength was demonstrated in creation (Gen 1:1; Isa 45:18; Jonah 1:9). Elohim means “the mighty one.” In Exodus 6:2, God the mighty one, Creator of heaven and earth is informing Moses that He will deliver him and Israel from bondage in Egypt. With “God” nothing is impossible.
B. God Almighty/El Shaddai (Exodus 6:3) reveals the strength God gives
This is the name, God said He had most commonly revealed Himself to the patriarchs. For example, In Genesis 17:1-8 (first occurrence of this name) God revealed Himself to 99-year-old Abraham and told him that He was going to give Abraham strength to produce nations.
In Exodus 6:3, God will not only deliver you from your trial but He will give you strength in your trial. Moses and Israel are not delivered for nearly one year when the ten plagues are poured out. God Almighty can also give you strength to endure hardships.
God/Elohim who is omnipotent is not selfish with His strength. Paul experienced this strength when God instead of taking away his thorn in the flesh told Paul that “His strength is made complete in his weakness.” Paul encouraged us in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sometimes God delivers us “in” our trials instead of “out” of our testings.
C. LORD/Yahweh/Jehovah (Exodus 6:3) reveals God’s faithfulness
The characteristic name of God during the patriarchs was “Almighty God”. Now the characteristic name will be LORD. This is God’s personal name who is faithful to His covenants (Seven times in verses 6-8, God said, “I will” perform my promises.)
In Exodus 6, one of the ways God gives strength is by giving His promises. What promises are you claiming, meditating on, and praying back to God?
William Cowper the hymn writer was very melancholy. On one occasion, he tried to end his life by drinking poison. God graciously led someone to find him and relieve him and he was delivered (evidently, his stomach was pumped). As soon as he recovered and got back home, he ordered a coach to take him down to the Thames River where he planned to jump. The driver of the coach held him back. Frustrated, that evening he went home and fell on a knife and the blade broke. He could not even die. So, he put up a rope in the basement, put his neck in the noose, and jumped. A friend came in before he strangled to death and took him down. Finally, Cowper got out his Bible and flipped it open to Romans, chapter 8 and the promise in 8:28 that “all works together for good to them that love God.” In the depths of his sorrow, God met him there and he went to his knees. Later, as a man of God, he wrote these words that you will probably recognize: God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will.
Do you know Christ as your Savior? Have you believed on the name of the Lord Jesus for salvation? Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:5-11 that God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name and that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God.