The concept of God's concern for His name is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His desire for His character and reputation to be honored and revered among all peoples. God's name is not merely a label but represents His essence, attributes, and the manifestation of His divine nature. The importance of God's name is evident in His actions, commands, and the way He interacts with humanity.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's concern for His name is closely tied to His covenant relationship with Israel. In Exodus 3:14-15, God reveals His name to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM," signifying His eternal, self-existent nature. This revelation underscores the sacredness and significance of His name. God commands His people to honor His name, as seen in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7). This commandment highlights the importance of respecting God's name in speech and conduct.

God's actions in history often serve to uphold the sanctity of His name. In Ezekiel 36:22-23, God declares, "It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when I show My holiness in you before their eyes." Here, God's restoration of Israel is motivated by a desire to vindicate His name among the nations.

God's Name and His Glory

The glory of God is intrinsically linked to His name. In Isaiah 42:8, God proclaims, "I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols." God's name is a reflection of His glory, and He is zealous to protect it from being diminished or shared with false gods. The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment, as in Psalm 115:1, "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness."

New Testament Continuation

In the New Testament, the concern for God's name continues, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9), emphasizing the sanctity and reverence due to God's name. The apostles, too, act in the name of Jesus, recognizing the authority and power vested in His name (Acts 3:6).

The early church understood the significance of God's name in their mission and witness. In Acts 15:14, James speaks of God taking "from among the Gentiles a people for His name," indicating that the spread of the Gospel is ultimately for the honor of God's name. The apostle Paul echoes this in Romans 1:5, where he speaks of receiving grace and apostleship "to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for His name’s sake."

Eschatological Perspective

The concern for God's name extends into eschatological promises. In Revelation 15:4, the redeemed sing, "Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed." This vision of the future underscores the ultimate vindication and glorification of God's name, as all creation acknowledges His holiness and sovereignty.

Throughout Scripture, God's concern for His name is a testament to His desire for His character to be rightly understood and honored. His name is a reflection of His holiness, love, and faithfulness, and He acts in history to ensure that His name is revered among all peoples.