The Name of the Lord

William L. Hawkins writes:

“Perhaps Moses had something less than a "hallowed" use in mind
when he inquired as to God's name. But the third commandment prohibits the use
of "God" for entrapping, circumscribing or trying to control what the Divine One
will be and do. Among the ancients, knowing the name of a god gave one divine
power. As Moses begins his journey with YHWH, he is aware that he has no god on
a leash, no genie in a lamp, no chip in the big game he can produce on demand.
Humankind is on notice that this God is elusive; giving a name that is not a
name, a moving, not a fixed, target, a God who is not here, not there, but
everywhere.”

This has inspired me to trace theme of the Lord’s name through this week’s readings. To Moses, God has the loaded name, I AM.

The psalmist calls us to call on the name of the lord and to glory in his name.

Jeremiah says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.”

Last week, Peter gives Jesus the name “Messiah, Son of the living God.” This week Jesus tells what that title means: the cross. For those of us called by his name, we too carry a cross. Paul also explores what it means to live by His name.