“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.
This is what you are to say to the
Israelites:
‘I
AM has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
Moses had some concerns about the task God lay before him. Moses
first felt that he was not worthy of doing the job. If someone had asked him he
would have said he wasn’t the person to do this gargantuan work. God told Moses
that He would be with him as he performed his part in the work to rescue the
Israelite people.
Moses used second excuse to try to get shed of this. “If
they ask me the name of who sent me, what shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:13)
God responds with the words of our focus verse. “I AM WHO I
AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “
What does God say here? His answer tells us a lot about our
heavenly Father. He uses simple, direct words—I AM. These show me the strength
of God. He uses a thunderous voice to say this. He tells Moses, and later us,
that He is in the present—not just the past or the future. He has already told
Moses He would go with him when he does this job. God will be with His people
in the future as well as the present.
A literal translation of the name God called Himself is God is who He is; the absolute I the self-existent One.1
God makes this statement in such a way as to make His
position firm in the minds of those who follow Him.
Sometimes, we get so involved in life and all it brings to
us that we forget God’s message here. We forget He told Moses who He was-I AM.
We need to remember Who He is and that his name brings us
comfort in our darkest times.
God is Who He says He is—He is I
AM. We are blessed to know Him and to know His name and all the meanings of His
wonderful name.
- The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary ©
1957, 1961, 1966, 1985, 1988. Moody Bible Institute. Chicago, p. 600
Oh yes! The Great I AM, who has spoken to us and cared for us as His special children. The Great I AM who was, and is and is to come. He is the One Who will never leave us or forsake us! Oh, that we could always remember this! Thank you for this reminder today. I needed this.
ReplyDeletePam:
DeleteWe don't realize how great God is until we go through a difficult time-spiritually, emotionally, or even financially. He is always there ready to help us, if we allow Him.
Hi Cecelia! I like your point that God is in our 'right now'. He is now, and will be forever. I wonder if that name was good enough for Moses, or if he really had to ponder it's meaning? I would have to, if I was him!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ceil
Ceil:
DeleteI, also, would have to ponder the meaning of what God said. It's just the way I am. Blessings to you and yours.