Bible Basics 1.3 God’s Name and Character

1.3 God’s Name and Character If there is a God, it is reasonable to think that He will have devised some means of telling us about Himself. We believe that the Bible is God’s revelation to man, and that in it we see the character of God revealed. If we allow this word of God to fill our mind, a new creature is formed within us which has the characteristics of God (James 1:18; 2 Cor. 5:17). Therefore the more we apply ourselves to God’s word and take the lessons to ourselves, the more we will become “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29) who was in character the perfect image of God (Col. 1:15). In this lies the value of studying the historical parts of the Bible; they are full of lessons telling us how God has dealt with men and nations, always displaying the same basic characteristics.In Hebrew and Greek a person’s name often reflected their character and/or information about them. Some clear examples:§ ‘Jesus’ = ‘Saviour’ - because “he shall save his people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21).§ ‘Abraham’ = ‘Father of a great multitude’ - “for a father of many nations have I made you” (Gen. 17:5)§ ‘Eve’ = ‘Living’ - “because she was the mother of all living” (Gen. 3:20).§ ‘Simeon’ = ‘hearing’ - “Because the Lord has heard that I was hated, He has therefore given me this son” (Gen. 29:33).In Jer. 48:17, knowing the people of Moab is paralleled with knowing the name of Moab. The Psalms often parallel God Himself with His name, His word and actions (Ps. 103:1; 105:1; 106:1,2,12,13).It is therefore to be expected that God’s name and titles will give us much information about Himself. A detailed study of the name of God is advisable after baptism; further appreciation of God’s character as expressed in His name is something which should go on during all our life in the Lord. What follows is therefore very much an introduction.When Moses wanted a deeper knowledge of God to strengthen his faith during a very traumatic period of his life, an angel proclaimed the name of the Lord. “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, although that will by no means justify the guilty” (Ex. 34:5-7).This is clear proof that the name of God entails His characteristics. His possession of them is proof that God is a personal being.God has chosen one particular name by which He would like to be known and remembered by His people; it is a summary, an epitome, of His purpose with men.The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, and needed to be reminded of God’s purpose with them. Moses was told to tell them God’s name, so that this would help motivate them to leave Egypt and start the journey towards the promised land (cf. 1 Cor. 10:1). We too need to understand the basic principles concerning God’s name before we are baptised and start our journey towards God’s Kingdom.God told Israel that His name was YAHWEH, meaning “I am that I am” or, perhaps, “I will be who I will be” (Ex. 3:13-15). This name was then slightly extended. “God said moreover (i.e. in addition) unto Moses. This is what you shall say unto the children of Israel, the LORD (Yahweh) God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob...this is My name for ever, and my memorial to all generations” (Ex. 3:15).