From: André van Aarle, Roman Catholic Deacon-Priest
The name of God is not just a name. “I am who I am!” or “I will be!” – that is a promise.
As a child, the story of Moses at the burning bush always deeply moved me. Up to that point, Moses had led an unusual life. Born into the Hebrew people, he was threatened with death as a baby, abandoned, and found by Pharaoh's daughter, the enemy. His mother became his foster mother.
Later, he lived at the Egyptian court. He grew up immersed in the Egyptian language and culture. His name is also Egyptian: the element "Mosis" roughly translates to "son of...". One could almost say his origins are unknown. He is found guilty of manslaughter and forced to flee. Eventually, during his escape, he meets Zipporah and her father, Jethro. And in the land of Midian, he finally leads a happy and peaceful life.
But then… One might assume that God would choose someone who leads a stable life. But no, Moses is called upon to leave his short, peaceful life behind and free the Hebrew people. A task that seems impossible.
God calls Moses
Moses was likely familiar with the stories of the three patriarchs. Although? He hadn't lived among the Hebrews for very long. But he had undoubtedly heard of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). At the burning bush, Moses heard a voice. He was being called, summoned to deliver his people. But from whom did this call come? God revealed himself: EHYEH ASHAR EHYEH. This means: "I am who I am!" Or: "I will be!"
A promise
The name of God is not just a name. It is a promise. A covenant name. A program. Although Moses still has doubts, he accepts the challenge. With God and with God's name. This name brings the people of the Hebrews into the Promised Land. With the certainty of this name, the people of Israel can settle. Within the people of Israel, this name is heard, and therefore this people can profess to be the chosen people.
Every time God's people break the covenant throughout the centuries, God keeps it. Of course, He restores the broken covenants, but the covenant hidden in His name remains in force. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and then not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)
God's name will be known
The blessing lies in the fact that God uses His people to make His name known throughout the earth, in all of His creation. This was the promise God gave Abraham long before Moses: “Then the Lord brought him outside and said, ‘Look up at the heavens and count the stars, if you can.’ And he said to him, ‘See, this is how many descendants you will have.’ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6)
God's plan for the people of Israel was already being put into practice here. And the name of God—I Will Be There—is the water with which the soil of the seed was watered. And this name became visible in the people of Israel. God became visible in Jesus Christ. All the promises that God gave, especially the revelation of his name to Moses, became visible in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. For the whole world.
The seed is sown. A branch grows. The tree grows, and the branches spread across the land so that everyone who believes in this name may receive the fruit. But now comes the crucial point: the branches must not be removed from the tree, from the root. The fact that God made a covenant with the people of Israel is not a temporary matter.
This unique covenant is still valid. In it, too, we may experience God's grace and praise Him for it. This grace, which is of crucial importance, is never separated from God's covenant people. They are the chosen ones; Christ was born into this people. This is a blessing, but also a great responsibility. With God's help, we must continue to protect the tree and its roots. God requires the same of us. But God will continue to protect and guide His people, even in disobedience.
Election out of love
Paul, himself a member of the House of Israel, describes it very aptly in his letter to the Romans: “He chose them, not because of their prosperity, but because he loved them and wanted to be good to them. If it had been a reward for their hard work, it would no longer have been out of love. But he saved them out of love, not because they deserved it.” (Romans 11:6)
The name of God – I Will Be There – with which He revealed Himself to Moses, is a name that still resonates and holds true today. Even in the terrible wars that threatened Israel and His people, this name was allowed to be heard. Before this name I kneel.
This article first appeared in our newspaper "Israelaktuell," issue 129. You can order the newspaper free of charge here: https://csi-aktuell.de/israelaktuell. We would also be happy to send you several copies for distribution.
