(Exodus 3:13,14 NIV) Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 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.’”
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at the life of Moses. When we last looked at Moses he was at the burning bush, having a supernatural encounter with God, questioning his qualifications, and attempting to digest all that was happening. Let’s admit, this was a lot to take in. For the Lord of Lords to interrupt a your seemingly mundane life, in the middle of a routine task, with news that will change your life and the lives of millions of people, is a bit much to swallow.
After the Lord promised to be with him, Moses said, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 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,’” There is more to the name “I AM” than has ever been brought out. The name “I AM” is a tetragram, or a word of four letters. We translate it JEHOVAH or YAHWEH. However, it is a sacred name. So much so that the children of Israel, to this day, don’t pronounce it in order to ensure no one profanes the Lord’s name. So none of us know for sure, today, how to pronounce it or whether or not to translate it as Jehovah or Yahweh? One thing is sure, while the Israelites attributed many names to God throughout scripture, this name is the one the Lord attributed to Himself and it is considered the completely holy.
Holiness aside, let’s seek to learn something from this name. This name means the Lord is self-existent, eternal and unchangeable. The Lord is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Some scholars teach that the four letters that make up this name also form a word that is the “perfect tense” for the Hebrew verb “to be.” We don’t have a “perfect tense” in the English language, but Hebrews do. In Hebrew the perfect tense represents past, present, and future tense, all at the same time. So, if this name is the past, present, and future tense of “to be,” all at the same time, then it means that Jehovah was, is, and ever shall be. It means He is the Lord of your past, your present, and your future. It means that He is the God of your already, your right now, and your not yet. It means that He is both the author and the finisher of your faith. The God who has always been, is now, and ever shall be. Shall be what? Whatever you need Him to be in your life!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God was, is, and ever shall be the same. He is the God of your past, present, and future; all at the same time.
2. There is nothing that will ever happen in your life that will come as a surprise to God. God knew it would happen, before it happens, and He made plans to bless you in and through it.
3. God can be whatever you need Him to be, in order to accomplish His Kingdom plans and purposes.
4. Creation will always fail at attempting to describe the Creator. In many ways God is indescribable, incomprehensible, and unimaginable. He is so far above us and He yet chooses to operate through us. That my friends, is grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for being the I AM in my life. You are the God of my yesterday, today, and forever. You are the God of my past, present, and future. You are the God of my already, my right now, and my not yet. You are Lord of everything, everyone, and everywhere. You are far above me and Your ways are often baffling to me. But thank You Father for choosing to operate in, with, and through me. I am nowhere near perfect and I could never earn the right for Your to take up residence inside of me. But Jesus paid the price for me and You now – perfection personified – choose to live in me and to guide me every day. As I walk with You and You with me, You become whatever I need You to become, in every situation, every day. For that I will always give You praise. Thank You Father, in advance, for walking with me today and for using me for Your glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
