August 27th Weekly Word

I am who I am
“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.’ 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?’” 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.’ (Exodus 3:11-14)
I love this story about Moses’ call. I especially love Moses’ question to God after hearing the call: “Who am I?”
What a good question in response to a monumental mission that entailed a humanly impossible feat. I mean, think about it. God is sending Moses – a stuttering fugitive from Egypt who spent decades exiled in the wilderness – to do what? To lead probably a couple million Israelites out from slavery under the most powerful nation in the region at the time. Yes, considering the magnitude of the call, “Who am I?” is a good question.
But notice God’s reply. He doesn’t back down and say, “You’re right, Moses. You’re not up to par. I’ll choose someone else.” Rather he assures Moses that he’ll be with him.
And beyond the promise of his presence, God shares his name with him – “I am who I am.” Among other things, this points to God’s incomprehensible nature as well as his enteral self-existence. So, Moses need not fear because God – the ever existent, unfathomable one – would go with him.
To answer Moses’ question then of “Who am I?” God reveals who He is, “I am who I am.”
The point is clear. God’s call in our lives requires God’s awesome presence. So, the next time you consider your limitations, think about God’s name, and take comfort in the fact that the one who is, the who was, and the one who ever shall be is the same one who is with you.
Darin+