The Name of God

OK, for all who are reading but not commenting, I'll write something new.

I've been reading John 17. Jesus says (in prayer to God the Father), "I have revealed your name." In other words, the way he lived his life defined the name of God. Later he says, "Keep those you have given me true to your name." In other words, the way we live our lives should be according to the definition of the name of God.

And what is the name of God?

Moses was the lucky man. God told him his name.

In Exodus 3.15 God says his name is Yahweh - which, the experts tell us, is probably some form of the verb "to be". God is Being itself. He is the key to existence. So far so good - but it doesn't give us much to live by.

So in Exodus 34.6 Yahweh unpacks his name. The name defines the character, and by defining or explaining his name, God is defining or explaining his character, his personality, who he is, what kind of Being he is.

And what's the answer?

"Yahweh, Yahweh, God of tenderness and compassion, long-suffering, rich in faithful love and constancy, maintaining his faithful love to thousands of generations, forgiving fault, crime and sin, yet punishing the fault of the parent to the third and fourth generation."

Wow! This is our God. Our oft-misrepresented and maligned God.

Jesus lived tenderness and compassion, long-suffering and forgiveness, faithful love and loyalty, without being soft on sin.

I must do the same.

Michael