The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
Exodus 33:17 (NLT)
I remember the hours I spent trying to choose a name for my first-born. We didn’t have the luxury of knowing whether it was a boy or a girl, so of course, you had to choose two names. Was I going to use a family name? One popular at the time or timeless? What did the initials spell and how did it sound with the last name? So many decisions.
Finally, the big day arrives and that blessed bundle is put in your arms. As I looked at my little girl, the nickname I thought I wanted flew out the window. It didn’t fit her at all. But it didn’t take long for a better one to stick.
My granddaughters all have very formal, traditional names but the nicknames reveal their personality. Eleanor is still a little young for this but I’m sure she will find her niche.
I never really liked my name. It’s old fashioned, named after my aunt. It also has the distinction of being either feminine or masculine. Sometimes that’s a plus and other times, not so much. But it does let me know when a telemarketer is calling for Mr. Gerry.
When you know someone’s name, it describes a degree of intimacy in the relationship. It might be your formal, given name, or a nickname, or a name of endearment–depending on the depth of the relationship.
When Moses began an extraordinary but somewhat daunting journey, he asked God to be sure and go with him. God promised him that He would personally go with him and that all would be well. But Moses still worried and begged God for more proof.
Not only did He remind Moses that He would be with him, and that He knew his name, but He took the risk to show him His glory. It was so magnificent that He had to hide Moses in the cleft of a rock and only show him His presence from behind so he would be alive to tell the story.
God knew Moses’ heart and went to great measures to assure him of His love and presence. He knows ours, too. Listen and watch.