We serve a truly wonderful, caring and loving God.
– Chandra Hronchek, your hostess for In His Image Bible Study
Reading Assignment
Exodus 3
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.
Exodus 3:14
In the Bible, God, Himself, has many names and titles to encompass the many facets of His character. The name Jehovah or Yahweh, which was first revealed to Moses, was just a little different from all the others as we will soon discover.
Moses
Moses was born to a Hebrew slave, but through circumstances which were orchestrated by the midwives and his family, he was saved from death as a baby and was raised in the wealth and opulence of the Egyptian court. As a young man, while observing the burdens of his people, he committed a crime that ultimately forced him to flee from Egypt.
Moses ended up in the land of Midian in the desert where he met several shepherdesses, daughters of Jethro, the Priest of Midian. Jethro gave Moses his daughter, Zipporah, to marry. So, Moses became a shepherd, himself, and dwelt in the land of Midian. It was a fine, fulfilling life, one in which Moses was content to continue.
But one day, as he was passing by a certain mountain, he saw a bush on the side of that mountain which was burning without being consumed. Being curious, went closer for a look. This was when God engaged Moses in a conversation that would change his life forever, putting him on an entirely different pathway than the one he had embraced.
Let’s begin today’s study.
SIDE NOTES
God introduces Himself to Moses
Moses saw an angel in the midst of the burning bush. When he went to investigate, the angel of the Lord said, …put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground (Exodus 3:5). This message told Moses that he was, indeed, in the presence of Elohim, and not just an angel because angels would not receive worship, whereas Elohim required it.
God introduced Himself to Moses as the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Then He gave Moses the mission to deliver the nation of Israel from the yoke of bondage under the Egyptians. As God was explaining to Moses what he was to do, Moses suddenly realized that his first obstacle was not the Egyptians, but the Israelites. In order to be successful with this task, he was going to have to convince the leaders of the Israelite community that he really was commissioned by their God.
Moses used every argument he could think of to try to wiggle out of this mission. As Moses contended with God, he maintained that even if he went to the Israelites, they would not believe him. He asked, ‘when they ask me who sent me, what should I say?’ This is when God formally introduced Himself to Moses as Yahweh or I AM. By doing so, He revealed His name to all of mankind. Not just his title (Elohim, the creator), but His actual, personal name.
Then Moses said to God [Elohim], “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God [Elohim] of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”
God [Elohim] said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
God [Elohim] also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord [Yahweh], the God [Elohim] of your fathers, the God [Elohim] of Abraham, the God [Elohim] of Isaac, and the God [Elohim] of Jacob, has sent me to you.’
This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”
Exodus 3:13-15
What do we know about the name of YHWH?
Hebrew manuscripts tell us that the consonants of the name were YHWH. The Hebrew leaders believed that this name was too holy to say out loud, so it was ever written YHWH, and never spoken out loud.
As the sacred, personal name of Israel’s God, YHWH was eventually spoken aloud, but only by priests in the Jerusalem temple. After the destruction of the temple in AD 70, the name was not spoken at all. Adonai was substituted for YHWH whenever it appeared in the Biblical text. Because of this, the correct pronunciation of YHWH was eventually lost.
At some point in history, Hebrew scholars took the vowels from the Hebrew name Adonai and inserted them into the name YHWH to make YaHoWaH, which we pronounce Jehovah. Since it is really a combination of the two Hebrew names for God and Lord, we might say that it means ‘Lord God.’ English editions of the Bible usually translate Adonai as God and YHWH as LORD.
Yahweh occurs more than 6,500 times in the Old Testament. It appears in every book except Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.
A d O n A i
Y ^ H ^ W ^ H
YAHOWAH
Jehovah
The importance of names
In biblical times, names were very important. The name could reflect the person’s character or mission in life.
For example,
• God changed Abram’s name from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of a great multitude) so that every time his name was spoken, his prophetic inheritance would be heard. Likewise, Sarai (my lady) became Sarah (princess)
• Eve means “Living” – she was the mother of all living people.
• Jacob, who’s name meant ‘supplanter’ was given the new name of Israel (Yisra = struggle or strive; el = God) after he spent the night wrestling with an angel in the wilderness (Genesis 32:28). Israel’s name was given to the Jewish nation, signifying their perseverance, striving and overcoming as they maintained their covenant relationship with God and developed their nation.
Moses knew that a name was very, very important. When he asked God what he should tell the Israelites, he was really asking God to provide some credibility to the fantastic story that he was about to tell His people. He was asking God about His character reference.
Yahweh: I Am Who I Am
Yahweh is the name God chose to be remembered throughout all generations.
When Moses met God on the side of the mountain at the burning bush, God formally introduced himself, for the first time, to a human. When God told Moses that He was I Am, he was revealing his actual name, not a title or a description.
Although the exact translation for YHWH has been lost, in Exodus 3:14, God used I AM and YHWH interchangeably, which lets us know that I AM is one way for us to translate the name Yahweh.*
Whenever you find the name LORD written in small caps in the King James Bible, it represents this name that God revealed to Moses. This means that Lord God in Genesis 2:4 means Jehovah Elohim, I AM the Creator.
If this is actually the first time that God introduced himself as YHWH, why do we find the name ‘Jehovah’ appearing in the book of Genesis?
If you recall, the first 5 books of the Bible are attributed to Moses and were probably written during the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert, long after Moses had his burning bush encounter.
So, by the time Moses was penning the historical accounts of Genesis, he already knew this name of God. While it is possible that God called Himself Jehovah Elohim to Adam, it is also possible that Moses inserted the name YHWH or Jehovah into the text when he recorded the very earliest history of the human race in Genesis, possibly to make sure that future readers would know without doubt that this was the God of the Universe, and not one of the small deities of the surrounding communities.
And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty [El Shaddai], but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.
Exodus 6:3
Here are some implications of I AM:
• I AM is eternal
I AM means that God exists eternally. He has no beginning and no end. He will never die of old age. He is self-existent eternity forward as well as eternity backward. Yet He made this window of time in eternity so that we could ‘earn our spurs’ so-to-speak, so that we could become manifest, to grow and learn and develop our own God-given natures.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God [El].
Psalm 90:2
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
• I AM is self-sufficient
I AM means that He is self-sufficient. He depends on no one and nothing to continue living. Individuals depend on other individuals, no matter how self-sufficient we may want to be. We depend on each other for, food, clothing, building materials, and much more, but I Am depends on no other entity or being. He does not need us. He does not need anyone in order to be. This makes it all the more amazing that He wants us! He is so love-motivated that He came to earth in the flesh and took the punishment that we deserved. He chose to be with us.
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
Psalm 50:10-12
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things …
Acts 17:24-25
• I AM is independent of circumstances
I AM means that He is independent of circumstances. He never gets hungry or cold. He doesn’t need clothing or food. He will never suffer for lack of medical help. Yet, He made sure that He knew exactly what it felt like to be so vulnerable when He sent Jesus to live among us as a man.
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God [Elohim] also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Ecclesiastes 7:14
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself …
John 5:26
• I AM is self-existent
I AM means that He is the source of His own being. He was never created by some greater power. He was never conjured up by some human mind. He is not ‘I am supposed to be’ or ‘some people think I am.’
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
Psalm 102:25-27
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8
• I AM is the first cause
I AM means that He is the source of all reality. He is the ultimate originator, sustainer and foundation of everything that exists. He is the ultimate ‘first cause’ and ‘pure energy’ on which all beings depend for their very lives and truth. This implies that God isn’t just in reality, but is the substance of reality itself, the source of all wisdom, power and existence.
Let them praise the name of the Lord [Yahweh]: for he commanded, and they were created.
Psalm 148:5
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Hebrews 3:4
• I Am is unchanging
I AM Who I Am is eternal and unchanging. He exists outside of time; He has no beginning or end. His character, purposes and promises are completely stable, offering ultimate reliability and stability in a constantly changing world. He is unlike humans, who grow, change, and decay. He does not learn, forget, or become less holy. Perpetually present and consistent in His perfection, He Is!
For I am the Lord [Yahweh], I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
• I AM is a God of relationships
I AM is a God of personal relationships. For example, in Psalm 19, the first 6 verses speak of Elohim and His relationship with the material world. Then starting in verse 7, and through the end of the psalm, the author describes Yahweh and His relationship with those who know him and who are in covenant with him.
God will never stop wanting us, and He will never cease in His pursuit of us. He is the ultimate covenant-keeper, the one who keeps His promises and does what He said He would do. We can trust God as much as we want and it will never be too much. He will always measure up.
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God [Elohim]; and the firmament sheweth his handywork…
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
–––––
7 The law of the Lord [Jehovah] is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord [Jehovah] are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes….
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord [Jehovah], my strength, and my redeemer.
Even knowing His true name, Yahweh’s people still could not get close to Him
When the Old Testament tabernacle was established and tabernacle worship was instituted, only a few people were allowed to go into the inner Holy of Holies to bring worship. Inside the Holy of Holies, there was a doorway that was covered by a thick veil of animal skins. This thick barrier separated The Holiest Place, where God dwelt, from all of mankind. Only one priest one time each year could enter. So, even though His name was known to every Israelite, they were still separated from Him.
The common people knew His name, but they could only worship Him from afar. No one was good enough to keep the whole law and thereby attain righteousness. They continually fell short. God’s people were perpetually separated from Him.
YHWH is a covenant God
It was not God’s desire for His people to be separated from Him. He spoke through the prophet, Jeremiah, to reveal that His ultimate goal for mankind was to covenant with each individual and to dwell inside of each of us. This is found in Jeremiah 31.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord [Yahweh], that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah … But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord [Yahweh], I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God [Elohim], and they shall be my people.
Jeremiah 31:31,33
Jesus fulfilled YHWH’s desire
During His ministry on earth, Jesus behaved in a way that demonstrated Jehovah’s care for even the smallest details: people were healed, people were fed, people were respected, people were taught, people were encouraged. Jesus’ ministry really was a person-to-person relationship, just as God wants His relationship with each of us to be very personal.
The veil was torn
Jesus came to remove the barrier that existed, up until that time, between God and humanity. He did this by demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance and faithfulness, all fruits of the Spirit, found in Galatians 5:22-23. His final act was to demonstrate the ultimate authority over the works of the devil: death itself. He allowed himself to be beaten, humiliated, ridiculed, abandoned, and finally killed.
When Jesus gave up his spirit on the cross, the barrier between God and man was finally and permanently removed. The blood of Jesus which was spilled that day poured over the earth and ratified the covenant that God had promised through the prophet, Jeremiah. The ratification of the new covenant was demonstrated when the veil to The Holiest Place was destroyed. Its destruction symbolically represented the removal of the barrier between Jehovah and His people.
What Jesus said about their power to overcome Him
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
John 10:17-18
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
John 19:11
Jesus, the embodiment of I AM
As He walked the earth, Jesus applied God’s covenant name to Himself. By naming Himself ‘I AM,’ Jesus not only claimed divine identity, but also revealed His specific life-giving functions, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and showing that He was God made manifest to meet humanity’s needs. The religious leaders recognized immediately that this was what He was doing, and were infuriated.
As Jesus revealed His different aspects of I AM, he explained them, and some He even demonstrated with a miraculous work. Look at the examples below of where Jesus said ‘I Am.’
Jesus = I AM
I AM the Bread of Life.
Jesus said this after he had fed the multitude. He went on to give examples of how the Bread of Life is likened to Living Bread and what it would accomplish.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 6:35
I AM the Light of the World.
Jesus spoke this to those who witnessed the woman who was taken in adultery. The religious leaders wanted to stone her to death. What he said to them cast light on the sins of her accusers, ‘…He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’ (John 8:7)
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12
Before Abraham was born, I AM.
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees who were accusing him of being possessed by a demon. When he said this to them, they knew exactly what he was saying: he was claiming equality with God.
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 8:58
I AM the door.
Jesus illustrated this by likening himself to the gate of the sheepfold. He also said, at the same time, that anyone who did not enter using this gate would be a thief.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:9
I AM the Good Shepherd.
Jesus reflected God’s commitment to Judah in the Old Testament: while they were yet in captivity He said: I will feed my flock .. Ezekiel 34:15. He then illustrated this statement by listing in John 10:11-18 what the true shepherd was willing to do for his sheep, as opposed to what the hireling would do.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God.
Ezekiel 34:15
I AM the Resurrection and the Life.
Jesus said this to Martha just before he demonstrated it when He raised Lazarus from the dead.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live …
John 11:25
I AM the way, the truth and the life.
Jesus was explaining to his disciples that He must go away. They wanted to go with him and were worried about not knowing the way.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
I Am the true vine.
Jesus was likening Himself to the grapevine, and His followers to the branches. As long as they were attached to Him, the true vine, they would bear fruit.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:1
I AM He.
Jesus was in the Garden when the solders and religious leaders came to take him. As he said I AM, all of them fell over. The very forcefulness and majesty of his declaration: ‘I AM’ was so powerful that they could not stand in front of it.
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
John 18:5-6
Note: The original Greek text says ‘I am.’ Some later English translations added ‘he’ for clarity.
Yahweh in you
When Yahweh revealed His name to Moses, He was doing more than just introducing Himself to Moses. He was revealing the very core of Himself to all of mankind for all time.
When you think about the names of God that we have learned so far, you can place the attributes of each one inside of the all-encompassing name of I Am, kind of like putting folders inside of a file cabinet. The file cabinet is Yahweh, and all of the folders inside are the names and titles that God chose to reveal Himself by.
The amazing thing is that He has placed this very core of Himself inside each and every one of us. If He had not done this, then there would be no possibility of communicating with Him or understanding Him or emulating Him.
And the Lord God [Yahweh Elohim] formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a iving soul.
Genesis 2:7
God created each of us with sentience and intelligence. We are able to see and reflect His glory, and we are designed to have an intimate relationship with Him. We can communicate with Him because He has made a part of us just like Him. We can share in His being in a way that all other creatures cannot.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2
Questions for thought and discussion
Are you able to recognize some of Yahweh’s attributes in yourself?
What are some ways that you communicate with God?
Do you think one’s conscience is a way that God communicates with us?
What about intuition?
For further study:
Communicating with God
References:
The Holy Bible: King James Version
*Martin, Jenna, The Meaning of Yahweh: Why It Matters in Biblical Studies
©2026 Chandra Hronchek