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| "Burning Bush" by Joe Schumacher, 2011. Thanks to Art in the Christian Tradition, Vanderbilt University Divinity Library. |
~Exodus 6:2-3
When Moses returns to Egypt and begins his work of liberation, things (famously) do not go well. Pharaoh responds to his entreaty to Let God's People Go by making their work harder. The enslaved Hebrews are making bricks (for the pyramids, presumably?), for which they need a base of straw. Before Moses approached Pharaoh, the straw was provided for them. After, they had to find the straw themselves, but maintain the same quotas as before.
Moses and God converse. Regularly. And Moses takes this frustrating situation to God, as in, "NOW LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED!" Rather than respond to Moses' complaints, here, God gives Moses something to meditate upon: the names of God.
Gonna get a little technical here, but hang in there.
When we read the word "God" in the Hebrew Scriptures, it is the same Hebrew word that is used for "gods," elohim. In fact, it's in the plural form (which some Christians take as meaning the Trinity is already, in certain ways, recognized in that era, but it's more likely something like the royal "we").
But here, God is not talking about the name, "God." Rather, God is talking about the words we translate "God Almighty," which, in the Hebrew can be translated either "God of the Mountains" or "God with Breasts." (Think, Grand Tetons.) It's fascinating that the "translation" of this word has never accurately reflected the actual Hebrew words. Open your Bible and read the footnote for Exodus 6:3. Here's what mine says: "Traditional Rendering of Hebrew El Shaddai." The translators are being coy. One early name for God evokes both the majesty of mountains and a woman's form. Here, God is offering El Shaddai as the name by which the patriarchs and matriarchs knew him/ her.
When God and Moses met at the Burning Bush, God revealed The Name, a name so sacred that, traditionally, Jews are not permitted to speak it aloud. Like all other words in the Hebrew Scriptures, it has no vowels, and is rendered the Hebrew equivalent of YHWH. But, you will notice in your Bible (and in the quote up top) it is rendered "The LORD," in all capitals or small caps. This is because the word Lord, in Hebrew, Adonai, is always substituted for the four letters that signify a name that shouldn't be pronounced.
The Name translates literally, "I Am Who Am," or "I Am Who I Am." or "I Will Be What I Will Be." This is the name that can't be pronounced, because the holiness of it is so profound.
Earlier this week, reading a commentary on another passage in Exodus, I learned that the names "God" and "The LORD" have significance for the Jewish people in how they describe the character of God. Elohim (God, gods) is derived from an ancient word for "Judge;" God, therefore, signifies the God of Justice. YHWH, (The LORD) on the other hand, is associated with the God of Compassion or Mercy.
When the two names are used together--as in, The LORD our God, a construction often found in Exodus--Jews call it "The Unification of the Name," as it signifies a God of both Justice and Mercy.
The names we use for God has different meanings, origins, and implications. What name or names do you use for God? One thing you might choose to do, would be to try to expand the number of names you use for God. Here are just a few suggestions from the many names found in scripture:
Shepherd, Rock, King, Ruler, Spirit, Breath, Star, Bread, Mother, Wisdom/ Sophia, Counselor, Foundation, Friend, Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Light, Cornerstone, Peace, Mediator, Teacher, Life...
How would it impact your prayer to choose one or more of these names, and add them to your prayer time? How would it expand your understanding of God? I encourage you to ponder the names of God--all of them--and to see which name your heart wants to call God.
Blessings to you this Lenten Friday.
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