The Exodus event defines the name of God, representing his character, purpose, and mission.
The Israelites are oppressed and enslaved by a fearful pharaoh, but their lives are spared due to the fear of God.
Moses encounters God at the burning bush and is tasked with delivering the Israelites from Egypt, receiving the name 'I am who I am'.
Deep dives
The Exodus event as the defining moment
The Exodus event is viewed as the event that defines the name of away, which means it defines his character, purpose, and mission. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, there is a repeated emphasis on the people coming to know the name of away. This event is the major motif of the Exodus story.
The oppression of the Israelites in Egypt
The Israelites are oppressed and enslaved by the new pharaoh who fears their increasing numbers and strength. The pharaoh attempts to suppress their growth through harsh labor and even orders the midwives to kill any Hebrew baby boys. However, the midwives fear away and spare the newborn boys' lives.
Moses' early life and character transformation
Moses, who was raised as an Egyptian prince, becomes aware of his Hebrew identity and witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Moses intervenes and ends up killing the Egyptian, which leads to his exile from Egypt. In Midian, Moses marries and starts a family, demonstrating a transformation in his character.
Moses' encounter with the burning bush
While tending sheep near Mount Horeb (Sinai), Moses encounters a burning bush that is not consumed by the flames. The angelic figure of away speaks to Moses from the bush and reveals himself as the God of his ancestors: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses is tasked with delivering the Israelites from Egypt and is given the name ego emi, meaning 'I am who I am.'
The promise of deliverance and Moses' objections
Away promises to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and bring them to a spacious land. However, Moses raises objections, questioning his own credibility and asking for God's name to tell the Israelites. Away responds by assuring Moses of his presence and promising signs to confirm his authority.
God is not a name—it’s a title. In fact, the God of the Bible introduces himself by a specific name in one of the most famous stories in the Bible, the exodus event, when he works through Moses and Aaron to deliver Israel from slavery in Egypt. In this episode, Tim and Jon dive into the first movement of the Exodus scroll and explore the theme of God’s name.