by Rebekah Harvey

In the book of Exodus we meet Moses, a self described “humble” man (Numbers 12:3). His life experiences were incredible from the time of his birth, he escaped death as an infant, with the help of his sister and the instruction of his mother. He was raised as an adopted prince, became a murderer on the run living in the desert. Later he would lead the nation of Israel and have personal, direct interaction with the Lord God. But for now let’s look at his introduction to the Lord God.

We find him tending sheep that belonged to his father-in-law, a career choice that was looked down upon by the Egyptians from where he had fled. In this wilderness he had an encounter with God. (Read Exodus 3:1-5) Exodus 3:6 “Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” Moses had not grown up in a household of Jewish faith, he was raised by the Egyptian princess who saved him from the death waters of the river. However, his mother was called to be his nurse and paid to nourish him. I imagine she would have whispered in his ear of the mighty God they served, just speculation not scripture. So his encounter struck fear in his heart when he heard God’s voice that day in the wilderness.

Moses was unsure how to go forward with the revelation of this encounter. God was so gracious to him, assuring him that He would be with him, in Exodus 3:12, God said “I will certainly be with you”. First Moses is introduced to God, then He is comforted that He will be with Him and then Moses asks how he should introduce God to the people of Israel. In Exodus 3:13 we read, “Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’

The Lord established that His name would be “I Am” to all generations. “I Am” relates to the divine name “Yahweh” which is a Hebrew verb meaning to be, it can be translated “I will be”. The Lord told Moses “I will be with you”. We also read in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Through this encounter between God and Moses we can see that God is establishing a relationship with him and that it will not only be for Moses but to all generations. The promise of “I Am” extends to all generations including you and me, we can take comfort in knowing His name. Moses was sent by “I AM” to be a leader of his people. These people had been in captivity for four hundred years and through Moses, relationship was being extended to them and further to us.

Today I encourage you that the Great I Am is with you and will be with you always. Hebrews 13 says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” God is with you in everything you face in life.