2019-3-21

Exodus 3:1-22

The third chapter of Exodus begins with Moses, now a shepherd in the service of his father-in-law, Jethro, alone with his sheep.  He was at Horeb, also known as Sinai – the mountain of God.  Moses had, in fact, been tending Jethro’s sheep for 40 years. He must have been alone much of the time.  He surely remembered his years in Pharaoh’s court as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  He knew God’s purpose for him was to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.  But – so much time had passed!  What had happened?

It was here at Mount Sinai that Moses experienced an amazing site – the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush and the bush did not burn up.  The appearance of God in fire in the burning bush reveals two things about Him:  His immanence (ever present) and his transcendence (Holiness).

God calls Moses from within the bush and Moses answers ‘Here I am’.  God instructs Moses to not come any closer and to take off his sandals.  The ground Moses is standing on is holy ground.  The place was holy because God was there.  Holiness is the characteristic of God that more than any other sets Him apart from sinful humanity – the root meaning of holy is ‘that which is separate’.  God is without sin or, completely separate from sin. (One interesting note: This is the first passage in the Bible where we see the use of the word ‘HOLY’.)

Moses hid his face and God told him three things:
1.  I am God of your father and God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
2.  I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt.
3.  I am send you (Moses) to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt.

But Moses objects – he considers himself unworthy.  And of course he was unworthy!  That was not the point,  God was doing this, not Moses. And God makes that very clear when He promises “I will be with you.’

Moses objects a second time and asks God what His name is.  God had already told Moses who He was.  However, God now answers with a new name:  ‘I AM WHO I AM’.  This name is not random.  Names in the Bible are highly significant.  A name usually reveals something about the person.  God’s names reveal specific truths about His character.  From His names, we can truly know His attributes.

This is God’s personal name. ‘I AM’ tells us God is a person; He is self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal and immutable.  The Jews regard this as God’s supreme name.  “I AM” is God’s covenant name.  When Jesus used this name to refer to Himself, He declared Himself to be God.

From verse 16 to the end of the chapter, God begins to give Moses instructions on how to talk to the elders of Israel and to Pharaoh, declaring the Israelite slaves will plunder their well-armed and powerful captors.  This must have seemed incredible and impossible to Moses.  He seems to forget he is TALKING to GOD in the midst of a burning bush that does not burn up.

How has God spoken to you through His Word?  Are we willing to do as He asks?  We cannot expect to really hear from God until we receive Jesus – God’s Son –  as our Lord and Savior.  If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, please considering praying and inviting Him into your life.  Then you too will know the GREAT ‘I AM”.            —- Mary Mauderer