God’s name and presence in Exodus
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The article examines how Moses interacted with God, known as YHWH, in the Hebrew Bible.
It begins with the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3, where God initially responds to Moses with “I will be what I need to be” before revealing the name YHWH.
Scholars suggest YHWH links to the Hebrew verb “to be” and means “He who brings into existence.” The author details how Moses later negotiated with God after the Golden Calf incident, asking God to continue dwelling with the Israelites. Moses emphasized the importance of God’s presence extending to the entire Jewish people, not just to him personally. God agreed, reaffirming a relationship established through covenant and Torah, rather than through structures like temples built by humans.
Professor Jonathan Magonet notes God’s initial reluctance to reveal the divine name, while Professor John H. Walton explains that, unlike earlier stories, God establishes presence through covenant with Israel after the flood and the Tower of Babel. God chooses to relate to people through a promise and law, not by inhabiting structures people create.
This pattern shows YHWH’s willingness to limit divine power to engage with people out of love and compassion, extending grace for generations while still holding people accountable for their actions.
