9-22-14. Exodus 3:13-22. Sent Forth By The Great “I Am.”- my devotional

Exodus 3:13-22                                                                                          Kevin E. Jesmer

Key verses 3:14                                                                                          9-22-14

“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. ‘This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.’” (NIV)

Lord, I need you more than ever in my life. Please come to me and shepherd my heart and guide my thoughts and emotions. Help me to choose the path that glorifies you and bears lasting fruit. Grant me your word in my heart. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

 Part 1: Sent By The Great “I Am” To Do His Will (13-15)

Moses is going to learn a big lesson about who God is. Lool at verses 13-15, “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?” 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. ‘This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.’ 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’” (NIV)

Was God really silent during the Israelites’ time of slavery? Is Jesus ever silent? For 400 years, while the Israelites had been slaves in Egypt, God had been silent, in the sense that there appears to be no prophets preaching publically among the people. But if God did not publically speak through the prophets and the people were suffering endlessly, does that mean that God was silent? No. God had always been there, watching and waiting as the people multiplied and matured as a nation, through their hardships. He was speaking into and inspiring individual hearts. For instance, he was speaking to Moses’ parents when he inspired them to risk their lives to save their son. He was speaking to the midwives when he inspired them to go against the king’s edict. Now God was speaking to the heart of Moses. Look at Exodus 3:13-14, “’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?” 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. ‘This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.’  God was sending Moses to be the deliverer of his people. God was inspiring the faithful throughout the nation in very quiet and personal ways. God always speaks, more often then not, however, in a whisper. Look at 1 Kings 19:11-13, “11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (NIV) God spoke to Elijah in a whisper and he is still whispering in peoples’ hearts today. Stop and listen carefully to the still, small whisper of Jesus in your own heart right now.

Our God is a unique God with an equally unique name. He revealed his name to Moses in this passage. Look at Exodus 3:14-15, “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. ‘This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.’ 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’” (NIV) Moses was more than willing to go on this mission, but he wanted to know one vital peace of information…who was sending him? Moses knew that it was God who was calling him, but he did not know how to define God’s personal identity when the people asked him. God understood this necessity and provided the information. God said, that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God’s name is “I AM Who I Am.” The Egyptians had many different gods by many different names. God called himself , “I Am”.

What does it mean that God is “I Am who I am”? Yahweh is derived from the Hebrew word “I Am.” In this passage, God was reminding Moses of the covenant promises he had made to Abraham (Geb 12:1-3; 15, 17) , Isaac (Gen 2626:205) and Jacob. (Genesis 28:13-15). What God promised to the patriarchs hundreds of years previous, he was now going to fulfill through Moses’ life.  He is a God who remains the same.  He used the name “I Am” to show his unchanging nature. The God who appeared to Moses is the same God who lives in believers today. Jesus is the same; “Yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

God is the God who exists. He is, was and always will be. Jesus states that he is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Our God is the eternal God, who was there before creation, who is with is now and whom we will dwell with throughout all eternity.

The Hebrew people were very sensitive to the name, “I Am”. The equated these words with the name of God. When the temple guard came to arrest Jesus, Jesus came to them and said, “I am he.” When he said “I Am he.”, they fell to the ground. They knew that Jesus was performing miracles. They heard his words of life. They saw the people whose lives were transformed. They all wondered, “Is he really God?” When Jesus boldly stood up and said “I am he” They interpreted that as Jesus saying that he really was God. (John 18:4-6.) Jesus is the great “I Am.” the unchanging Lord God Almighty.

In this world, where values, morals, and laws change every few years, we can find security in our unchanging God. God is and always will be. Because God’s nature is stable and trustworthy, we can have peace and confidence and be free in our hearts to follow and enjoy him rather than spending our time being uncertain about who God is really is and following his will. Jesus “IS” and we “are” in him through faith.

Our God is not just some vague, unknown god. Some people start out their public prayer with “Oh God.” But God is not just some generic god. Our God is a very unique and specific God. He is “The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:15)  He is totally different than other gods. Our God has a unique personality and plan. He works in certain ways. Certain principles guide his actions in the world. This God is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1: 1-3, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (NIV) The God we worship is very unique. Jesus is the God of compassion and grace. He is love. He is forgiving. He is the source of all universal truth. In him is life and that life is light of all people. (John 1:4) Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6) When we study the Bible we can learn about the unique character of Jesus Christ. When we walk by faith, trust and obedience to his word and spirit, we begin to grow in the knowledge of our God. We do not serve a vague, distant impersonal god. We serve Jesus, a unique God who is as close to us as our own hearts

We need to know God, very personally, so that we can come to the only one who can save us. In the Book of Acts the Apostles healed a paralyzed man who was begging at the temple gates. The man begged for money. Peter did not give him anything other than the name of Jesus. He told the man in Acts 3:6, “6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” The man accepted this opportunity to put his faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth…and not some vague god. He was healed and he jumped and praised Jesus. In Acts 3:16 Peter declares to the people, “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” It is through faith in the name of Jesus that anyone can be saved.

Who is sending us out to preach the Gospel? It not just some generic, spirit of goodness that presides over humanity. Nor is it just some vague god that some people claim is the same god that everyone on earth is worshipping. It is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Creator, the Shepherd of our hearts, the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus is sending us out on a mission to share his love and truth to a lost, suffering and even violent world. May point the world to the only one who can save their souls…Jesus.

Part 2: God Promised That People Would Listen (16-22)

Verses 16-22, “Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’ 18 “The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go. 21 “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. 22 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.” (NIV)

The message of God begins with a certain formula. Moses’ message to the elders needed to begin with a reminder of God’s grace and then a reminder of God’s promises. Exodus 3:16-17, ““Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’” (NIV) We must not think that we can talk about anything we feel like and hope that people will open their hearts to God’s word. No. People will listen to our message about Salvation when we start with the grace of God and continue on with the promises of God. When we speak about these things with faith and prayer, people will listen.

God told Moses what to do and what would happen, and how the people would respond for he knows and understands people. He knows what motivates them. He knows the words that they will respond to. Look at the following verses: verse 16a, ““Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them,…”  16b, “…I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.”  Verse 18a, “18 “The elders of Israel will listen to you….”  Verse 19, “19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.” Verse 21 a, “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people,…”  Our God is very wise. He knows human nature. He understands us better than we know ourselves.

I am glad to learn here that it is not up to us…it is up to God. God himself would strike Egypt and bring the Israelites out of bondage. Look at verses 19-20, “19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.” This is very relieving and comforting to me. It is not about me. It is all about the living God and what he will do and is doing among his people. There are days where I feel that I can barely keep my head above water. I fail to effectively mentor even those close to me. How can I ever be used by God to serve his purposes? The answer is, “I can’t, but God can.” God has the best plan. God can do it. He outlines the plan and calls Christians to act in faith, even though they are weak. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way.

God goes on before his servants and makes peoples’ hearts open to hear the Gospel. Look at Exodus 3:16-22 again. God wanted Moses to speak the word of God in faith. God reassured him that the elders of the people will listen to him (18b) and the Egyptians will be favorably disposed to the Israelites.

I am amazed that all kinds of people will listen to God’s word when servants of God speak what God wants to speak to them in faith. Sometimes we don’t think people will listen to the message of the Gospel. We think that people are just too far gone in their sin to listen; or they are too immersed in their religion or their traditions to listen; or they are too busy; or they are just too unbelieving or hostile. But that is not the case. People will listen to the message of the Gospel when it is spoken in faith.

All people are created by God in his image. We have an innate capacity and desire to listen to the words of our Creator. God promises that his word will not return empty. Isaiah 55:10-11 reads, “10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (NIV)When it goes out, it will fulfill the purpose for which it was sent. Jesus’ sheep will listen to their shepherd’s voice. John 10: 3-4 read, “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (NIV)  In the Last Days, the Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about what to say when they face opposition. Matthew 10:19-20 reads, “19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” God will communicate his words in the listener’s hearts, by his Spirit. God’s word is not just like any words in a novel. His word is living and active. Hebrews 4:12 reads, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  God’s word will penetrate the hearts of all people, believer and non believer alike.

This is the faith that God wanted Moses to go out and talk to the Egyptians and also to his own people, the Israelites. This is the faith that any minister of the Gospel has to hold onto. We need faith in God’s ability to communicate to the hearts of people, faith in the power of God to work in peoples’ hearts, and faith that people will listen because they are created in the image of God. With this faith we can step into foreign cultures where people are immersed in different religions and preach the Gospel. We must not be afraid to open our mouths. God has gone on before us to give us the words to speak. He has prepared hearts to be favorably disposed to his message. With his faith missionaries can go to remote Northern communities. With this faith we can reach out to internationals and students of a new generation. We can reach out to any and all people that God has called us to go to. It is not only us who are going. It is also Jesus and his all powerful word coupled with his Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself to your people. Help us to tell others who you are and your salvation plan, knowing they will listen.

One Word: God is the great “I Am” who reveals himself to people.