A Series on the “I Am” statements of Jesus
(Click
on the link below to read the verses.)
Exodus 3:1-15
[Moses encountered God at the burning bush where the Lord gave His name as “I Am”. Jesus used that same name for himself, thus claiming to BE God. In this series, we’re going to look at the “I Am” statements of Jesus to learn about him and about God.]
Twenty years ago, I
used to run a basketball league for inner city youth.
During a game, when the
ball went out of bounds, my head referee would always say, “Here I am”. It was
his way of saying, “Give me the ball”. It was reassuring for me to hear those
words because I knew that Chip would faithfully keep control of the game.
Prior to this
passage in Exodus, the Hebrew people had been enslaved to the Egyptians and had
cried out to God for His help. He heard their cries and appeared before Moses
in the burning bush. It was here that God laid out His plan to rescue the
Israelites.
At first God’s plan
sounded really good to Moses. But then, God made a sudden, unexpected turn when
He told Moses that Moses was to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, not God.
Immediately, Moses began to make excuses, but the Lord reassured him with this
promise.
12 And
God said, “I will be with you. NIV
However, it didn’t
satisfy Moses’ fear of returning to Egypt where he had fled as a criminal. So, he asked the Lord, what if the Israelites ask for your name.
14 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.’” NIV
My NIV study bible
said the following about these two verses.
“In
verse 12, the Hebrew word translated “I will be with you” is the same as the
one translated “I am” in verse 14.”
In
verse 14, “I am who I am” is the name by which God wished to be known and
worshiped in Israel - the name that expressed his character as the dependable
and faithful God who desires the full trust of his people.”
God is always faithful! You can’t say that about anybody else… even Chip. The Lord promised Moses that He would be with him. The Lord makes this same promise to you and to me.
Therefore, listen
for His words as He calls out to you saying, “Here I am”. Then put the ball in
His hands… and trust the Lord.
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