Exodus 3:13

EXODUS 3:13

Moses seeks a name that conveys ultimate reality to the Israelites. “What is his name?” is not a trivial question; in ancient Near Eastern context, a name carried authority, character, and intimate knowledge of the divine. Moses anticipates skepticism: the Israelites will ask, “Who is this God who sent you?” The request for a name is essentially a search for identity and legitimacy—how the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is known and how He can be trusted to fulfill generations-long promises. In response, God’s revelation of Himself will unfold in the next verse, emphasizing not just power but relationship and memory.

The name question centers on revelation and trust. God’s willingness to reveal Himself by name signals accessibility and covenant faithfulness. It foregrounds the theme of divine self-disclosure: God moves from the hidden to the known in order to establish trust. Naming also anchors the ongoing narrative of God’s people: the God who spoke with their forefathers continues to speak, initiating a fresh redemptive act. Theologically, this verse invites readers to consider how God’s identity shapes our worship and confidence in moments of uncertainty.

When skeptics or newcomers ask who God is, your response can mirror Moses’s model: point to God’s character demonstrated in history and in your life. Names carry stories—share how you’ve seen God act in your circumstances. If you’re leading a group, articulate the God who has shown faithfulness through generations and recent events. This is also a reminder to cultivate a personal practice of naming God in prayer—“The God who keeps promises” or “The God who remembers.” Cultivate a habit of telling the story of God’s faithfulness to new generations, so faith is transmitted with clarity and humility.

Cross-References: Exodus 6:2-3; Psalm 46:10; John 8:58; Jeremiah 33:2-3