“Holy and Awesome is His Name”
YAHveh’s name had been previously known and written in the Scriptures before Exodus (Gen 4:26), but never understood in the fullest meaning as the Redeemer of His chosen people, as He proclaimed in Exodus 6:6.. His divine name was not only to be glorified through His miraculous acts on behalf of Israel, but it was to be remembered forever as His memorial-name for all generations to come (Ex 3:15).
With His mighty outstretched arm, He delivered Israel to worship their Creator and bring Him the glory due His name. With that same outstretched arm, YAHveh proved Himself to be the protector and defender of His redeemed nation by bringing judgment on any people or nation who dared any attempt to thwart His purpose.
In YAHveh’s sovereign plan, He ordained that the Gentile world would hear of His glorious name, exemplified through His awesome acts. In extended mercy, He desired all foreigners to hear of the God of Israel so that they too would worship and bring glory to His incomparable holy name. The pure worship of YAHveh in the name above all other names and all other gods and their generic titles today rarely exists. We have have inherited this falsehood and with few exceptions perpetuated this falsehood through Judaism and Christianity to this very day. As it is written, “The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited nothing but falsehood, futility, and things of no benefit.” (Jeremiah 16:19)
“YAHveh Whose Name Is Jealous”
Moses desired YAHveh’s presence to go with Israel wherever they went. He said to the Almighty: “If Thy presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Thy sight, I and Thy people? Is it not by Thy going with us, so that we, I and Thy people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” … Then Moses said, “I pray Thee, show me Thy glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of YAHveh before you …” (Ex 33:15-19) And YAHveh descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of YAHveh. Then YAHveh passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “YAHveh, YAHveh God, compassionate and gracious, … abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin …” (Ex 34:5-7)
Moses asked to see the Almighty’s glory and YAHveh responded by proclaiming His name. YAHveh’s name, presence, and glory are inseparably one. Remember the words spoken to Israel directly after Moses experienced His glory:
Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land [the world] … lest it become a snare in your midst … —for you shall not worship any other god [including men’s religious traditions], for YAHveh, whose name is jealous, is a jealous God—” (Ex 34:12-14) YAHveh is jealous of His memorial-name; He never intended for it to be dissolved in a sea of generic titles shared with pagan gods.1 He gave an enticing promise to those who would faithfully reverence His name: “where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you [personally], and bless you” (Ex 20:24).
“[He who is] … the glory of Israel, will not lie or change his mind” (1Sa 15:29). His words to Israel after her deliverance from Egypt are just as true for us, who have been delivered through YAHshua Messiah.
“YAHveh will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you will keep the commandments of YAHveh your God, and walk in his ways. So all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of YAHveh; and they shall be afraid of you.” (Dt 28:9-10)
YAHveh’s promises, whether blessings or curses, are always fulfilled according to the obedience or disobedience of His people. “If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, YAHveh your god, then YAHveh will bring extraordinary plagues on you and your descendants, even severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic sicknesses.” … “YAHveh will give you a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and despair of soul.” (Dt 28:58-59, 65)
Footnote
1 Baal was called Lord, causing Israel to forget YAHveh’s name.
