Yahweh: The Personal God of Holiness and Mercy
Summary
Today’s focus is on the name Yahweh, the foundational name by which God reveals Himself to Moses in Exodus 3. In a world filled with competing worldviews—atheism, agnosticism, pantheism, polytheism, deism—Christianity stands apart in declaring that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons, who is personally and intimately involved in our lives. The name Yahweh, spelled Y-H-W-H in Hebrew, is not just a title but a declaration of God’s very being: “I am who I am.” This name speaks to God’s self-existence, His eternal presence, and His unchanging nature.
The sacredness of Yahweh’s name is so profound that ancient Jews would not even pronounce it aloud, substituting “Adonai” or “the Lord” instead. In our English Bibles, when we see “LORD” in all caps, it is a direct reference to Yahweh. This name is not a mere abstraction; it is deeply personal. God reveals Himself to Moses not as a distant force, but as a personal being who sees, hears, and responds to the suffering of His people. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God who enters into covenant, who acts in history, and who desires relationship.
Yahweh’s self-revelation in the burning bush is more than a historical event; it is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God’s presence. This “angel of Yahweh” is not just a messenger but is, in fact, the pre-incarnate Christ. Jesus, in the New Testament, repeatedly identifies Himself with the “I am” statements, making clear that He is Yahweh in the flesh. The apostle Paul and the early church understood this, applying Old Testament passages about Yahweh directly to Jesus.
Yahweh is holy—set apart, utterly unique, and pure. His holiness is not just one attribute among many; it is the very essence of His being. When Moses encounters Yahweh, he is told to remove his sandals, for he is on holy ground. The holiness of God exposes our own unworthiness, just as Isaiah experienced in his vision of the throne room. Yet, Yahweh is also merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. He provides atonement for sin, making a way for us to stand in His presence through Jesus Christ.
Yahweh is eternally immutable—He does not change. His promises are sure, His character steadfast. He is merciful, orchestrating salvation for His people, not because of their merit but because of His covenant love. This mercy is available to all who turn to Him in faith, for while His holiness demands justice, His heart overflows with grace.
Key Takeaways
- Yahweh’s Name Reveals His Self-Existence and Presence
The name Yahweh, meaning “I am who I am,” proclaims God’s eternal, self-sustaining existence. He is not a product of creation or time, but the source of all being. This means that God is always present, always faithful, and never dependent on anything outside Himself. Our lives are anchored in the One who simply is, and who invites us to know Him personally. [06:23]
- God’s Holiness is Foundational, Not Optional
Holiness is not just a characteristic of God; it is His very essence. When we encounter Yahweh, we are confronted with the reality of our own sinfulness and the vast gulf between us and Him. Yet, it is precisely in this encounter that we are invited to receive cleansing and transformation, not by our own merit, but by His initiative and grace. [25:28]
- Jesus is the Full Revelation of Yahweh
The angel of Yahweh in the Old Testament is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, and Jesus’ “I am” statements in the New Testament directly connect Him to Yahweh. This means that to know Jesus is to know Yahweh; the God who spoke from the burning bush is the same God who walked among us in Christ. Our faith is not in an abstract deity, but in the living, personal God revealed in Jesus. [17:51]
- Yahweh’s Immutability is Our Security
God’s unchanging nature means that His promises and character are absolutely reliable. Unlike us, He does not grow, learn, or shift with circumstances. This gives us confidence that His love, justice, and mercy are not subject to change, and that we can trust Him through every season of life. [31:39]
- Mercy and Justice Meet in Yahweh
Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, yet His holiness demands justice. He provides a way for us to be forgiven and made holy through Jesus, but He also warns that unrepentant sin brings consequences. The invitation is to receive His mercy now, to turn to Him in faith, and to live in the freedom and forgiveness He offers. [38:17]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:07] - Worldviews and the Uniqueness of God
[04:25] - The Meaning and Pronunciation of Yahweh
[06:23] - Yahweh: I Am Who I Am
[08:12] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[09:14] - God’s Compassion and Call to Moses
[11:26] - Yahweh in English Bibles
[14:04] - The Angel of Yahweh: A Theophany
[15:58] - Jesus as Yahweh in the New Testament
[17:51] - The Humility and Sacrifice of Christ
[19:14] - Every Knee Shall Bow: Isaiah and Philippians
[21:15] - Yahweh’s Holiness and Isaiah’s Vision
[25:28] - The Weight of God’s Holiness
[28:13] - Atonement and the Throne Room of God
[31:39] - Yahweh’s Immutability
[34:44] - Yahweh’s Mercy and Salvation
[38:17] - The Cleft of the Rock: Mercy and Justice
[40:00] - The Urgency of Responding to God’s Mercy
[41:34] - Communion and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Name of Yahweh
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### Bible Reading
- Exodus 3:1–15 (Moses and the burning bush; God reveals His name as Yahweh)
- Isaiah 6:1–7 (Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness)
- John 8:56–59 (Jesus’ “I am” statement, identifying Himself with Yahweh)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Exodus 3, what is unusual about the bush that Moses sees, and how does God first address Moses?
2. According to Exodus 3:13–15, what name does God give Moses to tell the Israelites, and what does this name mean?
3. In Isaiah 6, how do the seraphim (angels) describe God, and what is Isaiah’s reaction to seeing God’s holiness?
4. In John 8:58, what does Jesus say about Himself, and how do the people respond to His statement?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God reveals Himself to Moses as “I am who I am” (Yahweh) instead of using a more generic title? What does this say about God’s nature? [[06:23]]
2. The sermon mentions that the angel of Yahweh is a theophany, a visible appearance of God, and connects this to Jesus in the New Testament. Why is this connection important for understanding who Jesus is? [[15:58]]
3. When Isaiah encounters God’s holiness, he is overwhelmed by his own sinfulness. What does this teach us about the relationship between God’s holiness and our own condition? [[25:28]]
4. The sermon says that Yahweh is both merciful and just. How do these two aspects of God’s character come together in the story of Moses and in the person of Jesus? [[38:17]]
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### Application Questions
1. The name Yahweh means “I am who I am”—God is self-existent and always present. How does knowing that God is always present and unchanging affect the way you approach your daily life or challenges? [[06:23]]
2. The sermon described how ancient Jews treated the name Yahweh with deep reverence, even refusing to say it aloud. How do you show reverence for God in your own life? Are there ways you could grow in honoring God’s holiness? [[11:26]]
3. When Moses encountered God at the burning bush, he was told to remove his sandals because he was on holy ground. Are there “holy ground” moments in your life where you have sensed God’s presence? How did you respond? [[09:14]]
4. Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness led him to confess his sin and receive cleansing. Is there an area in your life where God’s holiness is exposing something you need to confess or change? What would it look like to bring that to God? [[25:28]]
5. The sermon emphasized that Jesus is the full revelation of Yahweh, and that to know Jesus is to know God personally. How does this truth shape your relationship with Jesus? Are there ways you can pursue a more personal relationship with Him this week? [[17:51]]
6. God’s unchanging nature (immutability) means His promises are always reliable. Is there a promise of God that you need to hold onto right now? How can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness in uncertain times? [[31:39]]
7. Yahweh’s mercy is available to all who turn to Him in faith, but His holiness also demands justice. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about God’s mercy and justice? How might you share this with them, or pray for them this week? [[38:17]]
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Devotional
Day 1: Yahweh—The God Who Is: “I Am Who I Am”
God reveals Himself to Moses as Yahweh, declaring, “I Am Who I Am,” the self-existent, eternal One who is not the product of time or creation but the very source of all being. This name, Yahweh, is not just a title but a declaration of God’s unchanging, ever-present nature—He is existence itself, intimately involved in the world and in your life. From the first breath you take to your last, you are sustained by the One who simply is, who was, and who will be. In a world of shifting beliefs and uncertainties, Yahweh stands as the unchanging foundation, inviting you to know Him personally and trust in His eternal presence. [08:12]
Exodus 3:13-15 (ESV)
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to remember that God is present and unchanging, no matter your circumstances or doubts?
Day 2: Yahweh Is Holy—Encountering the Set-Apart God
When Moses approached the burning bush, God commanded him to remove his sandals, for he was standing on holy ground. God’s holiness is not just a characteristic but His very essence—He is utterly set apart, pure, and glorious. The angels in Isaiah’s vision cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory,” emphasizing the overwhelming, awe-inspiring nature of God’s holiness. In the presence of such holiness, Isaiah and Moses both recognized their own unworthiness, yet God, in His mercy, makes a way for us to stand before Him. Let the weight of God’s holiness humble you and draw you to worship and reverence. [25:28]
Isaiah 6:1-5 (ESV)
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show reverence for God’s holiness in your daily life today?
Day 3: Yahweh Is Immutable—The God Who Never Changes
Unlike us, who are constantly learning, growing, and changing, Yahweh is eternally immutable—He never changes, never learns anything new, and never fails to keep His promises. He is the same God who spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He remains faithful to every generation. This unchanging nature is a source of great comfort: God’s character, His love, and His promises are steadfast, unaffected by the shifting sands of time or culture. You can trust Him completely, knowing that what He has said, He will do, and who He is will never be altered. [34:44]
Malachi 3:6 (ESV)
“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”
Reflection: Is there a promise of God you have doubted because of changing circumstances? How can you anchor yourself in His unchanging faithfulness today?
Day 4: Yahweh Is Merciful—Abounding in Steadfast Love
Yahweh’s mercy is seen in His plan to rescue His people from slavery, to forgive their sins, and to bring them into a place of blessing. He describes Himself as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” offering forgiveness and compassion to thousands. Yet, His mercy does not negate His justice—He calls us to turn from sin and receive His grace while there is still time. God’s mercy is not earned; it is freely given, and it is available to you right now, no matter your past or present struggles. [40:00]
Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV)
The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to receive God’s mercy or extend it to someone else today?
Day 5: Yahweh Revealed in Jesus—The Personal God Who Saves
The fullness of Yahweh is revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God and the one who stepped into time and space to save us. Jesus, the “I Am,” humbled Himself, took on human flesh, and became obedient to death on a cross, so that through His sacrifice and resurrection, we might receive forgiveness and righteousness. Every knee will one day bow to Him, but today you are invited to bow willingly, to trust in the One who is both holy and merciful, just and loving. Through Jesus, you can have a personal relationship with Yahweh, the God who knows you, loves you, and calls you by name. [19:14]
Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reflection: What would it look like for you to bow your knee to Jesus today—perhaps in a specific area of your life where you have resisted His lordship?
Quotes
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