He supposes the Israelites will ask who has sent him. Why? There are four logical reasons.
God has revealed himself in the bush to Moses, but has not told him his name (Exodus 3:6).
Maybe the knowledge of the Lord has faded for the Israelites, who worship other gods instead of or in addition to God (Joshua 24:14). Moses has to tell them who the Lord is.
The word
name
also means reputation. The Israelites might have been wondering, what can God do for us, and what is he willing to do for us? In the bitter slavery the questions arose: where is God? Has he abandoned us? What do we see of his power? What do we see from the God of our fathers (Exodus 3:6)?It is important for the legitimation of the mission of Moses. Forty years ago, he was asked,
Who made you a prince and a judge over us?
(Exodus 2:14). Knowing God’s name, Moses can answer that question.
These four reasons do not exclude each other.
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”