The answer often gives the meaning of the question or what it implicitly suggests. Regarding Jehovah’s identity, Moses asks what he must say to his Israelite brothers:
« But Moses said to the true God: “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your forefathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is his name?’ What should I say to them?” » (Exodus 3:13).
The question seems strange because it would suggest that the Israelites would have forgotten the proper Name of the God of their ancestors (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), after 215 years in Egypt. But from the context of the book of Exodus, the Israelites feared and knew the name of Jehovah. For example, more than eighty years earlier, concerning the Hebrew midwives who refused to kill male newborns on the order of Pharaoh, the story adds that they feared Jehovah (Exodus 4:17). Moses himself knew Jehovah, the God of his ancestors (Hebrews 11:23-28). Therefore, the exact vocalisation was not a problem.
To understand, implicitly, the meaning of the two questions of Moses, it is necessary to examine the definition of the Hebrew word « shem » (שֵׁם), translated by « name »: « a primitive word [perhaps rather from H7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064]; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character:— base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report » (Strong’s Corcondance (H8034)). Given Jehovah’s response (from the biblical context), and the definition of « shem » (name), we understand that this is the name with its memorial of past actions that was to constitute his reputation:
« So God said to Moses: “I Will Become What I Choose to Become.” And he added: “This is what you are to say to the Israelites, ‘I Will Become has sent me to you.’” Then God said once more to Moses: “This is what you are to say to the Israelites, ‘Jehovah the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation to generation » (Exodus 3:14,15).
The last part of Jehovah’s answer makes it possible to understand the implication of the question of Moses: « I am to be remembered from generation to generation ». The question « what is your name? » Should be understood in the following manner, « What is your « name », the « memorial » of its past actions connected to your name ». And his answer, « I Will Become What I Choose to Become » is to be put in perspective to the idea that the Israelites and probably Moses, had regarding the name of the gods: To each god his name, connected with his miraculous power. The « I Will Become What I Choose to Become », also implies, that Moses wanted to know what to say about the miraculous power attached to Jehovah’s Name.
Thus, when Jehovah God speaks of his Name as a « Memorial », it means that the question of Moses concerning the Name was: What will I say to the Israelites concerning the power of your Name and the extraordinary actions attached to this Name (As Memorial of past actions)? The question of Moses, regarding the Divine Name is inscribed on the capacity of action of the True God, who resides in the power of his Name. Nevertheless, Jehovah’s response is very subtle: In Egypt, every god had a name attached to a very precise miraculous power of action. Thus, in his answer, « I Will Become What I Choose to Become », Jehovah does not want human intelligence to lock his Name only in one miraculous ability. In the account of Exodus 4:1-9, it is written that Jehovah did four miracles, showing his capacity for creation by turning the staff of Moses into a serpent, and making it become a staff. Also, by making the hand of Moses to have leprosy (destruction) and after, healing it (recreation). Through these two series of two miracles, Jehovah God illustrated his all mightiness, and therefore only his extraordinary actions would reveal the memorial of his name. « I Will Become What I Choose to Become », it is the action undertaken by God that would give the spiritual meaning to his Name, of Who « He is ».
The Spiritual Power of the Divine Name
And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved
(Joel 2: 32)
« At that time those in fear of Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance began to be written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and for those thinking upon his name » (Malachi 3:16)
Our relationship with Jehovah is spiritual (not magical): « However, there is a difference in size between the Hebrews and other peoples regarding the conception of the name of a divinity: In the peoples of antiquity, invoking the name of the God forces him to act, it is a magical conception of the name, whereas among the Hebrews the invocation of the name of God is only a supplication and not an incantation (1 Kings 8:33,34). For example, in his dialogue with Jesus, Satan quoted Psalm 91:11,12 in the sense of an obligation to God, the magical conception of prayer (analogous to the lamp of Aladdin). Jesus corrected this erroneous conception (Matthew 4: 6,7) » (« A History of the Divine Name « (page 57)).
The Bible shows that a magical conception of the Name is spiritually dangerous. Shortly before his ascension to heaven, Jesus Christ had said that his Father had transferred to him all the authority in connection to his Name: « All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth » (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, all Christians who sought (and even now) the help of God, should do so in the name of Christ. However, what is applicable to the Divine Name, Jehovah, also applies to the Name of Christ, Jesus (Yehoshouah): do not use it magically, wanting to force God to act (by vocalising His Name magically). Here is what happened on one occasion, written in the book of Acts (Bible):
« But some of the Jews who traveled around casting out demons also tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had wicked spirits; they would say: “I solemnly charge you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Now there were seven sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceʹva doing this. But in answer the wicked spirit said to them: “I know Jesus and I am acquainted with Paul; but who are you?” At that the man with the wicked spirit leaped on them, overpowered them one after the other, and prevailed against them, so that they fled naked and wounded out of that house. This became known to all, both the Jews and the Greeks who lived in Ephʹe·sus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus went on being magnified » (Acts 19:13-17). It is obvious that these Jews, who were doing the job of driving out demons, using the name of Jesus in a magical way, without having faith in him, were punished.
To invoke the name of Jehovah means that we must love Him (Matthew 22: 37-40), to have faith in Him, and in His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16,36; 17: 3; Hebrews 11: 6). To invoke the Name of Jehovah through His Son Jesus Christ will enable us to survive the great tribulation and obtain the everlasting life: « This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ » (John 17:3, Revelation 7: 9-17).
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