What does "The LORD, the God of your fathers" reveal about God's identity? Setting the Phrase in Context “ ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers …’ ” (Exodus 3:15) Unpacking “The LORD” • “LORD” renders the divine name YHWH, the self-existent One (Exodus 3:14). • He is eternal and uncreated: “Before the mountains were born… from everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Psalm 90:2). • His character never shifts: “I, the LORD, do not change” (Malachi 3:6). Unpacking “God of your fathers” • Links Yahweh to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:15), showing an unbroken covenant line. • Affirms generational faithfulness: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God, keeping His covenant of loving devotion to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Communicates personal involvement with real families and real history. What the Phrase Reveals About God’s Identity • Covenant Maker and Keeper – He bound Himself to the patriarchs and still honors that promise (Genesis 17:7; Hebrews 6:13-18). • Eternal and Self-Existing – Unlike the shifting gods of Egypt or Canaan, He simply is (Exodus 3:14). • Personal yet Transcendent – Knows individuals by name (Exodus 3:4) yet rules heaven and earth (Isaiah 66:1-2). • Consistent Across Generations – The same God who spoke to Abraham speaks to every succeeding generation (Hebrews 13:8). • Relational Initiator – He introduces Himself, not waiting for people to discover Him; revelation precedes response (John 1:14,18). Implications for Today • Your faith rests on the God who never reneges on His word. • Scripture’s historical accounts ground trust in a real, living God, not abstract philosophy. • Because He remains the “God of your fathers,” believers today inherit the same promises in Christ (Galatians 3:29). This single phrase anchors God’s identity as eternal Yahweh, covenant-keeping Father, and faithful companion to every generation that calls on His name. |