The self-characterization of God in Ex 3:14 is particularly meaningful. In ancient times a person’s name was not simply a designation or label. It did more than simply differentiate one person from another. It was more than a way of identifying people. In ancient times a person didn’t merely have a name; a person was his name. One’s name pointed to one’s character. Name was a reflection or expression of nature. When God gave His name to Moses it was to reveal His nature.

Regarding the dynamic between God and His creation the following is noteworthy:

There is some level of ownership that is involved in authority. The very word authority has within it the word author. An author is someone who creates and possesses a particular work. Insofar as God is the foundation of all authority, He exercises that foundational right because He is the author and the owner of His creation. He is the foundation upon which all other authority stands or falls.

In the Scriptures we see that God creates the universe and owns the universe. It is His possession, and He governs it by His own authority. The authority by which God governs all things is His autonomous authority. To say that God’s authority is autonomous is to say that God is a law unto Himself. He is not bound by some abstract system of law that exists outside of Himself or independent from Him (ex lex). Nor is God under some external law (sub lego); rather, He is a law unto Himself. This does not mean that He acts or behaves in an arbitrary manner. Rather, God’s activity is directed by God’s own character. And His character is completely righteous. All that He does flows out of His own internal righteousness. His external authority comes from His internal righteousness. In this sense God’s authority is intrinsic. It is found within Himself. It is not borrowed, delegated, or assigned from any other source. 

When we say that God’s activity is directed by His character, His own Being. We want to labour this point that whatever God does, he does in complete harmony with the essence of who He is. God’s actions flow from His person. God’s actions can never not contradict His nature.

When we understand this basic principle the statements like this has to be re-evaluated “God has set certain limitations on Himself by giving to humans (and apparently to angels) a certain amount of autonomy that we can use, if we choose, even to oppose the One who gives it to us.”(I give you Authority, Charles H Kraft, Pg. 10).

In the statement God’s actions is contrary to His nature. God cannot decide to place limitations on Himself, it is an impossibility – He always acts in accordance with His nature. When it is said that God limits Himself it says that God is in conflict with Himself, and He never is.

God’s nature dictates that he is absolutely sovereign. He is absolutely free in His sovereignty.  Nothing outside of Him can place limitations on Him and nothing inside of Him can place limitations on Himself.

We have to re-evaluate our freedom in the light of God’s sovereignty and not evaluate God’s sovereignty in the light of our freedom.