God spoke to Moses through the fire of a burning bush. That didn’t keep him from experiencing a crisis of belief.
As Henry Blackby teaches, when God gives us a God-sized task it creates a crisis of belief. We have to come to an end of ourselves and trust God who alone can accomplish what he has planned.
Moses’ second objection to God’s plan centered around God’s name.
But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3.13)
Moses feared that if he announced that the God of their fathers has sent him to them, they would bluntly ask him, “What is his name?”
The Jewish theologian and philosopher, Martin Buber, explains the significance of Moses’ concern.
“‘What?'” seeks the significance, character, quality, and interpretation contained in the name. It seeks to discover that the name of Jehovah is in reputation and action.”
When we are confronted with a God-sized opportunity, objections may arise in the form of questions.
— Did I hear God correctly?
— Is this task some manifestation of my inferior mental state?
— If God is calling for this to take place, how will he accomplish it?
— What if we fail?
God’s Name Revealed
At the burning bush, God graciously revealed his name to Moses.
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you:’
This is my name forever,
and this my title for all generations.” (Exodus 3.14-15)
What is meant by God’s name being “I am who I am”?
“I am” is connected with some form of the verb “to be.” It expresses God’s character and the essence of the promise, “I will be with you” which was given in verse 12.
Question: What is God’s name?
God answers: “My name in its inner significance is I am, for I am and will be present.”
The construction, “I am who I am,” is used to express intensity or emphasis similar to Jesus’ use of “Truly, Truly.”
God is saying “I am truly he who exists and who will be dynamically present then and there in the situation to which I am sending you” (Walter Kaiser).
This was no new God to Israel, but the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who is sending Moses.
This is to be God’s name forever – a name denoting God’s character, person, authority, power, and reputation.
The name is to be a “memorial;” that is, it was to be for the act of uttering the mighty deeds of God throughout all generations.
Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages. (Psalm 135:13)
The joy of Israel’s worship will be to share in the praise of the essence, power, and significance of “I am he who is, was, and will be present” when I say I will be there.
Understanding the meaning of God’s name, “I Am Who I Am,” has profound implications for our lives.
When faced with God-sized opportunities or challenges, we may encounter doubts and objections similar to Moses. We may question our abilities, wonder if we heard God correctly, or fear failure.
However, God’s name reassures us that he is with us and will be dynamically present in every situation.
It reminds us to trust in his character, authority, and power.
Just as He was faithful to the Israelites throughout history, he remains faithful to us today.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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