|
Dear Cornelius,
I would think that the issue of
"name" is much more broad than how we understand it in English. In fact, Shem =
Name is not really that close since Shem has a much broader connotation in
Hebrew than is normally found in English.
I would probably indicate that the
Israelites were going to ask not only about the "name" as we understand in
English, but also the "character, nature, reputation" of God. Thus, "I am the
God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" would not only indicate
to the Israelite the eternality of God, but the stories about the founding
Patriarchs of the Israelites would also know about His omnipotence, etc. Thus,
when Moses asks regarding what name is he going to tell the Israelites, then God
answers with 'EHYH 'ASHER 'EHYH...'EHYH (LXX: EGW EIMI hO WN...hO
WN).
Cornelius asked:
And why exactly do they need the
divine name in their particular situation?
Bryant responds:
I would say that the Israelites
have been praying to God for a long time. God in Exodus 3 has said that He has
heard their prayers. Furthermore, it would seem to the Israelites after praying
for more than 400 yrs, that their God was impotent, deaf, dumb, blind to their
situation? Most likely, knowing the frailties of the human condition and nature
especially of those who have been bondage for 400 yrs.
Who is this God that you say has
sent you Moses? Is He able to change our situtation? You get the picture. All of
these questions and more are behind the question of Moses about the Name of the
God who sent him. Subsequent events would prove to the Israelites who YHWH would
be. Even in their unbelief later, did God prove who He is.
Rev. Bryant J. Williams
II
|
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.