Session 1
EXPLORE THE TEXT
God is not distant in our times of distress; He desires an ongoing relationship with His people.
13 Then Moses asked God,
“If I go to the Israelites and say to them,
‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’
and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’
what should I tell them?”
14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.
This is what you are to say to the Israelites:
I AM has sent me to you.”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites:
The Lord, the God of your ancestors,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.
This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.”
read the information for verses 13-15 (PSG, pp. 16-17)
summarize the significance of God’s name.
He began with “Who am I?” (3:11),
continued with “What if?” (4:1),
and finished with “Send someone else” (4:13).
Moses foresaw the Israelites’ skepticism and hesitancy to put all their hopes in one God and to swear allegiance to Him alone.
Moses was sure the people would want proof that God existed and that He had sent Moses to rescue them.
In reality, What is his name? meant more than what God should be called.
The name, Yahweh, was already known, though its significance was not fully understood until later (6:2).
Even more important, it revealed what God is like.
The Israelites needed a God who was able to help, who knew how to help, and who was willing to help.
We find all of that in God’s personal name.
Readers must remember that, while God created everything in existence, He needs nothing outside Himself to exist.
He always has been and remains so today.
However, I AM (’ehyeh in Hebrew)
can also mean “I will be,” producing “I will be who I will be.”
This suggests the name focuses on the future, not just the past or present.
As I AM, God has never changed and will never change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).
This would have been an important message for the Israelites
Having answered Moses one way in verse 14, God gave him a slightly different answer in verse 15.
The root of the Hebrew word ’ehyeh is hayah, “to be.”
This utilizes another form of the same word, YHWH, God’s personal name.
Because the third commandment (Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11)
forbids “misusing” God’s name, scrupulous Jews began writing it with only consonants (YHWH).
When reading the Scriptures, they would substitute the term meaning “Lord” (’adonai)
or, later, “The Name” (hashem).
God’s personal name is recognized as His “covenant name.”
It emphasizes His faithfulness, His complete reliability as the God of truth and the only Redeemer
who can rescue and sustain His people.
His deeds in Exodus were designed to teach His people the significance of His name.
Emphasize that God exists by His own power.
why would that have been important for the Israelites to understand
as Moses brought God’s words and mission to them.
Before Moses could confront Pharaoh and lead the Hebrews,
his own faith had to be tested and grounded in a personal relationship with God. We are no different.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 18 of the Personal Study Guide:
Challenge adults to identify the statement that most resonates with them and to consider how they can apply it this week.
Encourage volunteers to share their responses to the last two questions on page 18 of the PSG.
Encourage adults to trust God’s presence and His promises as they consider the tasks He may be calling them to pursue.
Distribute copies of Pack Item 9 (Handout: Praying Scripture in Exodus and Leviticus). Lead adults to continue reading and reflecting on the memory verse for this session (Ex. 3:12). Close the session in prayer, asking God to give adults the wisdom and courage they need to step out for Him.
Reinforce the session this week by calling several adults in the group and asking them to call other adults. Encourage them to reach out to regular attenders, visitors, and those who have not been to Bible study recently. Pray with these adults and encourage them to pray with the individuals they call. Focus your prayers on the needs of the persons being called. Remind them of the importance of community and of creating “touch points” that make people feel seen and appreciated.