In Exodus 3, God appeared to Moses within a burning bush. There seems to be a palpable, yet mysterious lure that carefully woos readers to lean into a deeper gaze beside Moses. He had intentionally turned aside from shepherding sheep to study this strange sight… A sight that caused his heart to flare, smolder, and burn with growing curiosity. Consider for a moment, the stark contrast of this consuming light against the dark expanse of a quiet wilderness. Can you hear the steady, consistent, unwavering blaze? Can you imagine the intense heat radiating from its inexhaustible source — warning Moses not to approach too closely? This wanderer’s initial curiosity was then fearfully interrupted by the resounding voice that spoke from within the bush. It called his own name: “Moses! Moses!“. Suddenly aware that the place where he stood was Holy ground — This untraversable separation between human and divine was further emphasized. The voice revealed himself to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — The One who heard the suffering of His people in Egypt and would send one to deliver them. It isn’t a surprise that Moses hid his face in response. With a trembling lip, he asked: “Suppose I come to the people of Israel and say to them, “The God of your father has sent me to you’, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:13-14). 

Many centuries later, God would send a greater deliverer. His one and only Son. Before Jesus took upon the cross, he had prayed to his Father — relaying that he had “manifested His name” (John 17:6) to those who were given to him. This statement seems difficult to grasp and leaves us with more questions than answers. How, exactly, can a name be manifested? What is the significance of God’s name? What is understood of God’s character in whom he chooses to manifest His name to? How should the receiver respond to such a revelation? It can become quite easy to get lost in thought at such a brief declaration. 

Consider — When you first meet someone, it is most natural and necessary to learn their name. A name is synonymous with one’s identity. We use names to recognize, gain the attention of, and commune with one another. One’s own name practically serves as the basis of self-conception and self-expression. It seems to carry the weight and power to define something or someone. 

When you think of a close family member or friend, the mention of their name often comes with characteristics, personality, memories, and attributes. Hearing your own name spoken rightly and tenderly has a profound effect. It is deeply personal. Yet, pairing someone’s name to a revelatory word or description that serves to communicate their very essence will always fall short of full expression and a comprehensive, complete understanding.

The verb, “manifest”, is a tricky and versatile word in itself. It is often associated with the following descriptors: light, clarity, the act of proclaiming, defining, demonstrating, confirming, and displaying by action. By definition, it means: “to make clear or obvious to the eye or mind“. So once again, how could one’s name be fully and completely, “manifested”? And not just any name — but the name of the one and only Creator God?

The book of Hebrews is helpful to us, as it opens with a backward glance into the ways God has chosen to reveal himself in times past: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our father by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1). God chose to reveal himself, the exact imprint of His nature, by speaking His Son into the world. “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and dwelt among us“, says John (v 1:1,14). By sending the Son to manifest His name, we see God the Father taking upon the initiation of introduction (John 6:44), of alluring (Hosea 2:14), of revealing (Matthew 11:27), of teaching (John 14:26, 17:26), and of keeping us in His name (John 17:11). 

How wonderful to think that the God of all creation would condescend to make himself known. To know God as the initiator and sole actor in revealing himself leads our hearts to tremble with thanksgiving and find rest in His loving grace. For naturally, there is “no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:11). Yet in love, God “has made him known” (John 1:18).