God’s name matters because it reveals who He truly is. In Exodus 3, when God meets Moses at the burning bush, He is not just giving instructions—He is revealing His character. God calls Himself “I AM,” showing that He is eternal, self-existent, faithful, and unchanging. Unlike human names that gain meaning over time, God’s name already contains everything about who He is. Because of this, knowing God’s name shapes how we worship Him and how we trust Him.
Moses encounters God in an unlikely place—a dry, desolate mountain while living an ordinary, quiet life as a shepherd. God turns that ordinary place into holy ground simply by being present. The burning bush shows that God is powerful yet near, holy yet personal. When God tells Moses to take off his sandals, He teaches that worship requires reverence and humility. God is close, but He is never casual.
God then reveals His heart for His people. He says He has seen their suffering, heard their cries, and is concerned about them. God is not distant or unaware—He is deeply attentive. He comes down to rescue His people and bring them into a place of life and abundance. This shows that God is compassionate and active, even when it feels like He has been silent for a long time.
After revealing who He is, God calls Moses to act. Moses doubts himself and asks, “Who am I?” God does not focus on Moses’ ability. Instead, He gives a simple promise: “I will be with you.” The mission does not depend on who Moses is, but on who God is. When Moses asks for God’s name, God answers with “I AM,” grounding Moses’ confidence in God’s unchanging presence and authority.
The message for us is clear. We are called to approach God with reverence, repentance, stillness, and surrender. We are also called to obey Him, even when we feel weak or unqualified. Our confidence does not come from ourselves but from the God who is with us. The same I AM who spoke from the burning bush still sees, hears, sends, and walks with His people today.