YAHWEH (YHWH) ALWAYS

“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” Then what shall I tell them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I am has sent me to you.”’ God also said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, “The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.”’—Exodus 3:13–15 (NIV)

“And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord (Yahweh, Yahweh), the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”—Exodus 34:6–7 (NIV)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and End.”—Revelation 22:13 (NIV)

In The Power of God’s Names, Dr. Tony Evan’s tells us, “In Scripture, a name often connotes purpose, authority, makeup, and character. In fact, a person’s name is frequently seen as an equivalent of that person.”

It’s clear God places great value on names. So, in Exodus 3 when Moses asks God what name he should give the Hebrews if they ask who sent him, God’s response is one of the most important moments in all of history. Why? Because it’s the first recorded instance of God telling anyone His name… YHWH, “I am who I am.”

Now, did you notice Moses didn’t question God’s name or ask for any clarification? The implication here is that I AM wasn’t a new or unknown name. Moses and Israel must have known this name in relation to the Lord. It’s also where we get the word Yahweh or Jehovah, which is regarded as a shortening of the whole phrase I am who I am (’eh·yeh ’ă·šer ’eh·yeh) and a running together of the clause into one word.

Fast forward 31 chapters in the story of Exodus, and you get to Exodus 34, where we find one of the most quoted passages in the Bible by the Bible. All throughout the Scriptures from beginning to end, you can see YHWH’s compassion, grace, slowness to anger, love and faithfulness, mercy, and perfect justice the He maintains to thousands This is reflected many times through the prophets and psalmists.

I love how God reveals His name—the implications of this are incredible. It makes God personal and knowable in ways we don’t always believe. He isn’t this distant deity sitting on a throne judging angrily. He’s the God who wants to dwell with His creation. So, when He declares His name, He’s also declaring He wants a relationship with you and me. He wants to be called by His name, not just title.

Think of a close friend. You wouldn’t call them “sir” or “ma’am.” You’d call them by their name or nickname right? Why? Because you share a relationship, intimacy, and friendship. The same is with YHWH. He loves you so much, He wants to be in a relationship with you, He wants intimacy with you, and He wants to be your friend. How amazing is that?

The song “YHWH” was written out of these truths from Scripture. The same God who transcends time—who is the First and Last, Beginning and End, and Alpha and Omega. The most holy and powerful being to ever exist is also the same God who stepped down from heaven, put on flesh, lived a life just like you and me, suffered a death He didn’t deserve by the hands of His creation, brought Himself back to life, and is coming back for us. He wants to be so close to us, more than we want to be close to Him, that He sends His Holy Spirit to live inside of us. He is YHWH, and He is everything!

Pause: What does it mean to you knowing God has a name? How does this change how you view Him?

Practice: Now that you know His name, I encourage you to address Him in your prayers by YHWH and see if it changes some dynamics in your prayer life.

Pray: YHWH, thank You that I get to know You so personally and intimately. I get to know You and be known by You. Thank You for this gift. Fix my eyes on the truths of Your Word. Remind me of all the ways You’re compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving and merciful, etc., so I can be, too. Soften my heart and renew my mind by Your truth. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

"Yahweh Always" Lyrics

Refrain 1:

Yahweh

Always

Yahweh

Refrain 2:

You have always been

And you’ll always be

In and out time

And without ending

Refrain 3:

Alpha, Omega

Beginning and End

You were and You are

You’re coming again