Yahweh: The Personal, Holy, and Merciful God
Summary
In a world filled with competing ideas about the nature of reality and God, it is vital to remember that the God revealed in Scripture is not a distant force or an impersonal energy, but a personal, holy, unchanging, and merciful being. From the very beginning, God has made Himself known—not as a product of human imagination or evolutionary chance, but as Yahweh, the eternal “I AM.” This name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush, speaks of God’s self-existence, His presence, and His desire for relationship with His people.
Yahweh is not just a title; it is the sacred name of the God who created all things and who is intimately involved in the lives of His people. Unlike the gods of pantheism, polytheism, or the distant deity of deism, Yahweh is personal. He calls Moses by name, speaks to him, and reveals His plans. This personal God is also the one who appears throughout the Old Testament as the “angel of Yahweh”—a mysterious figure who receives worship, gives commands, and, as the New Testament reveals, is none other than the pre-incarnate Christ. Jesus’ own words, “Before Abraham was, I am,” echo this truth, showing that He is the fulfillment of Yahweh’s self-revelation.
Yet, Yahweh is not only personal; He is holy. His presence transforms ordinary ground into holy ground, and His holiness exposes our own sinfulness. Like Isaiah, when confronted with God’s holiness, we become aware of our unworthiness. But God, in His mercy, provides atonement—first symbolized by the burning coal in Isaiah’s vision, and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the Lamb who was slain. Only Christ is worthy to open the scroll of God’s purposes, to bring salvation, and to make us holy.
Yahweh is also immutable—unchanging across generations. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His promises never fail. While we change and falter, God’s plans, purposes, and promises remain steadfast. This is a source of deep comfort, especially in times of uncertainty and loss.
Finally, Yahweh is merciful. He hears the cries of His people, delivers them from bondage, and leads them to blessing—not because of their merit, but because of His steadfast love. Even when we fail, His mercy is greater. The story of Moses, the Exodus, and the revelation of God’s name all point us to Jesus, the one who delivers us from sin and brings us into relationship with the living God. In Christ, we find forgiveness, hope, and the assurance that we are known and loved by Yahweh Himself.
Key Takeaways
- The God of the Bible is not an abstract force or a distant creator, but a personal being who knows us by name and desires relationship. Yahweh’s self-revelation to Moses as “I AM” underscores His presence and involvement in our lives, distinguishing Him from every other conception of deity. This personal God invites us to know Him, not just know about Him. [07:01]
- The holiness of Yahweh is both awe-inspiring and humbling. When we encounter His holiness, we are confronted with our own sinfulness and inadequacy. Yet, God does not leave us in our guilt; He provides atonement, ultimately through Jesus, so that we can stand in His presence, forgiven and made new. [21:26]
- Jesus is the fulfillment of Yahweh’s self-revelation. The “angel of Yahweh” in the Old Testament is not merely a messenger, but the pre-incarnate Christ, who receives worship and acts with divine authority. Recognizing Jesus as Yahweh deepens our understanding of His words and work, and calls us to worship Him as Lord. [15:39]
- God’s immutability—His unchanging nature—is a profound source of security for believers. While our circumstances, emotions, and even our faithfulness may fluctuate, God’s character, promises, and purposes remain constant. We can trust Him fully, knowing that He will never abandon or forsake us. [29:31]
- The mercy of Yahweh is the foundation of our hope. God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt is a picture of the greater deliverance we receive in Christ—from sin, self, and the power of the enemy. Our salvation is not based on our performance, but on the finished work of Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, who alone is worthy to open the scroll and bring us into God’s eternal blessing. [32:28]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:22] - Worldviews and the Nature of God
[07:01] - The Sacred Name: Yahweh Explained
[09:43] - Created in God’s Image
[12:00] - The Angel of Yahweh: Jesus in the Old Testament
[15:39] - Jesus and the Name Above All Names
[17:33] - Yahweh’s Holiness and Our Response
[18:29] - Isaiah’s Vision: Confronted by Holiness
[21:26] - Atonement and Standing Before God
[22:33] - The Scroll and the Worthy Lamb
[26:12] - The Obedient Life and Death of Christ
[28:53] - God’s Immutability: Unchanging Promises
[29:31] - God’s Plans and Purposes for Us
[31:14] - Yahweh’s Mercy in Deliverance
[32:28] - Our Salvation: God’s Work, Not Ours
[33:25] - Moses’ Request: Show Me Your Glory
[34:28] - The Glory and Mercy of Yahweh
[36:10] - Mercy and Justice: The Character of God
[37:34] - Christ, the Rock and Our Refuge
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The God Who Is – Yahweh
---
### Bible Reading
Exodus 3:1-15 (ESV)
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
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.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Exodus 3, how does God first appear to Moses, and what is unusual about this encounter?
([09:43])
2. What does God tell Moses to do when he approaches the burning bush, and why?
([17:33])
3. According to the sermon, what is significant about the name “I AM WHO I AM” that God gives to Moses?
([07:01])
4. How does God describe His relationship to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in this passage?
([28:53])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon points out that Yahweh is not just a title, but God’s personal name. Why is it important that God reveals Himself as a personal being rather than an impersonal force?
([07:01])
2. When Moses is told to remove his sandals because he is on holy ground, what does this teach about God’s holiness and how people should approach Him?
([17:33])
3. The sermon connects the “angel of Yahweh” in the Old Testament to Jesus. How does this understanding affect the way we read stories about God’s appearances in the Old Testament?
([12:00])
4. God says He has seen the suffering of His people and has come down to deliver them. What does this reveal about God’s character and His involvement in human lives?
([31:14])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that God knows us by name and desires a relationship with us. In what ways do you struggle to believe that God is personally involved in your life? How might you remind yourself of this truth this week?
([07:01])
2. When Moses encountered God’s holiness, he was humbled and aware of his own unworthiness. Is there an area in your life where you need to acknowledge God’s holiness and your need for His forgiveness? What would it look like to bring that to God in prayer?
([18:29])
3. The message highlighted that our salvation is not based on our performance, but on the finished work of Jesus. Are there ways you find yourself trying to “earn” God’s approval? How can you rest more fully in what Christ has done for you?
([26:12])
4. God’s unchanging nature is a source of comfort, especially in uncertain times. Can you share a recent situation where you needed to remember that God’s promises never fail? How did that truth help you, or how could it help you now?
([29:31])
5. The story of the Exodus is a picture of God’s mercy and deliverance. Is there a “bondage” or struggle in your life where you need to trust God for deliverance? What step could you take this week to invite God’s mercy into that area?
([32:28])
6. Moses asked to see God’s glory, and God responded with both mercy and a reminder of His holiness. What does it look like for you to seek God’s presence in your daily life? Are there practices or habits you want to start or return to in order to draw closer to Him?
([33:25])
7. The sermon ended with the reminder that everyone must decide what to do with Jesus, the “angel of Yahweh.” If someone asked you who Jesus is to you personally, how would you answer? Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about the mercy and holiness of God?
([36:10])
---
End of Guide
Devotional
Day 1: Yahweh Is a Person Who Desires Relationship
Yahweh is not an impersonal force or distant deity, but a personal God who reveals Himself and calls people by name, as He did with Moses at the burning bush. He speaks, commands, promises, and even receives worship, showing that He is relational and desires to be known. This personal nature is ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh, the one who said, "Before Abraham was, I am." The God who created all things wants to know you and be known by you, inviting you into a living relationship with Him. [12:00]
Exodus 3:1-6 (ESV)
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Reflection: When was the last time you responded to God’s personal call in your life? What would it look like to intentionally listen for His voice and respond with “Here I am” today?
Day 2: Yahweh Is Holy and Calls Us to Reverence
God’s holiness is not just one of His attributes—it is His very essence. When Moses encountered Yahweh, he was told to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. The holiness of God is so overwhelming that even the angels in heaven continually declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” In the presence of such holiness, we become aware of our own sinfulness, yet God provides atonement so we can stand before Him. [18:29]
Isaiah 6:1-7 (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!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show reverence for God’s holiness in your daily routine this week?
Day 3: Yahweh Is Unchanging—His Promises Stand Forever
Unlike people who change with time and circumstances, Yahweh is eternally immutable—He does not change. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, faithful across all generations. His plans, purposes, and promises for you are secure and will never fail, regardless of your performance or the challenges you face. You can rest in the assurance that God’s character and His word remain constant, providing a firm foundation for your faith and life. [29:31]
Exodus 3:6, 14-15 (ESV)
And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. … 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: Is there a promise of God you have doubted or forgotten? How can you remind yourself of His unchanging faithfulness today?
Day 4: Yahweh Is Merciful—He Delivers and Forgives
Yahweh’s mercy is seen in His deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt and in His ongoing forgiveness and steadfast love. He hears the cries of His people, acts on their behalf, and brings them into freedom and blessing—not because of their merit, but because of His gracious character. In the same way, God delivers us from the bondage of sin through Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, and offers us forgiveness, new life, and the promise of His presence. [36:10]
Exodus 34:5-7 (ESV)
The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 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: Who in your life needs to experience God’s mercy through you today? How can you extend forgiveness or compassion as God has done for you?
Day 5: Only Through Christ Can We Stand Before a Holy God
Though God is holy and just, He has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain. Our salvation does not depend on our performance, but on the atoning work of Christ, who alone is worthy to open the scroll and bring about God’s promises. In Christ, our guilt is taken away and we are given the righteousness of God, enabling us to stand before Him with confidence and joy. [26:12]
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you still trying to earn God’s approval? How can you rest today in the finished work of Christ on your behalf?
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