Exodus 3

“God replied to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’  This is what you are to say to the Israelites:  I AM has sent me to you.”  Exodus 3:14 (HCSB)

I AM WHO I AM. In Hebrew, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh – the self-existent and eternal God; a declaration of the unity and spirituality of the Divine Nature, the exact opposite of all the forms of idolatry, human, animal, and celestial, that prevailed anywhere else.

I AM WHO I AM is not merely a philosophical phrase. To the Israelites in bondage, the meaning would most likely be received as, “Although He has not yet displayed His power towards you, He will do so. He is eternal, and He will redeem you.”  

Another way to translate God’s statement is, “I AM WHO I WILL BE.” No words can sum up ALL that He will be to His people. Furthermore, His everlasting faithfulness and unchanging mercy will continually manifest themselves in the guidance of those who follow Him.

The answer He gives Moses is the equivalent of, “I will save in the way that I will save.”  It assures the Israelites of the FACT of deliverance but does not disclose the MANNER of deliverance.

How does this apply to us today? Perhaps you are going through a difficult season of life and looking for a way out for deliverance. Find comfort in knowing that HE IS WHO HE IS (His character never changes), HE WILL BE WHO HE WILL BE (He has a plan, even though He has not revealed it to you), and HE WILL SAVE IN THE WAY THAT HE WILL SAVE (He has the power to save, and WILL at His appointed time).  

To followers of Jesus: He gives the power to become sons and daughters. (John 1:12)

For those who place their faith in Him, He promises “never to leave or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).

Our hope is in God’s promise to His children of every generation, backed up by His unchanging character, in that He cannot lie. While we cannot predict HOW we will be delivered, that should not deter us from the fact that we WILL be delivered. Therefore, simply TRUST and OBEY, leaving the future up to Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (NKJV)