I Am

Remember the old Popeye the Sailor cartoons? A squinty-eyed Popeye went around, eating his spinach and beating up the bad guys. Somewhere in almost every cartoon, Popeye would defiantly state, “I am who I am, and that’s all that I am!” For Popeye, he is who he is, nothing more, nothing less. He’s a crusty old sailor man who loves his girl, can’t stand the bad guys, and really likes spinach. Take him or leave him, he is who he is, and he’s secure in his identity.

In today’s passage, Moses has an “I am” moment. To this point in his life, he’s been a slave baby, a prince of Egypt, an accused murderer, a fugitive, a shepherd, a husband, and a father. Moses has been through a lot so far in his life, and it seems like he is having a tough time discovering who he is to be. He’s not in Popeye’s shoes, proudly proclaiming “I am who I am!” He’s a shepherd living as an alien in a strange land.

Then he sees the bush and hears the voice.

It turns out God has an idea of who He wants Moses to be, and it has nothing to do with herding sheep. God is calling Moses to a new vocation and a new identity. He wants Moses to be a prophet: the voice of God. God’s plan is to reveal himself to all Israel and Egypt, redeeming His people out of slavery and into a new land where they will not live as aliens or strangers. He has heard His people’s cries and is about to do something. His plan begins with Moses.

For Moses, this moment continues his identity crisis. In the face of the God of his ancestors, Moses has no clue who he really is. When God reveals himself and His plan, Moses answers, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (v. 11, NRSV). In response to God’s plan, Moses asks “who am I?”

God’s answer to Moses’ question is very important. Instead of telling Moses who he is to be or what he is to do, God replies, “I will be with you.” Instead of answering Moses directly, God makes a statement about himself. Moses’ identity is completely tied to the presence of God. Moses is nothing on his own and can accomplish nothing if the Lord is not with him. Who is Moses? It does not matter. What matters is who God is. It is tempting to focus on Moses so much in this passage that we miss the real emphasis: the identity of God.Verses 14 and 15 of the passage today are some of the most important in the entire Bible. “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ He said further, ‘Thus shall you say to the Israelites, “I AM has sent me to you.”’” God’s very name means “I AM WHO I AM” or “I will be who I will be.” More important than the burning bush or God’s plan for Moses and the Israelites is the revelation of God’s name. God is who He is. He will be who He will be. When Israel is enslaved, God is. When Moses is sent to Pharaoh, God is. When the people cross the Red Sea, God is. Every time the word LORD is used in the Old Testament, it serves to remind the people of this moment. The meaning of the word LORD, which we pronounce “Yahweh,” is “I AM WHO I AM.” In the presence of attacking armies or temptations, hunger or sinfulness, God is who He is. Before the miracles, the commandments, the prophets, the manger, and the cross is the “I AM.”

God never does answer Moses’ question directly. He never tells Moses who he is. Indirectly, though, the message is clear: Moses is nothing without the “I AM.” Everything that happens through Moses’ life is a result of God’s identity. Moses must simply live in obedience and service to the Lord, recognizing the miracles, the power, and the salvation of God’s people are not based on his strength.

As servants of God, our identities, just like Moses’, are totally dependent upon who God is. When we face our world, with all its uncertainties, sinfulness, and fallen-ness, we must remember who God is. We must remember everything we do and are is doomed to failure unless it is founded in the identity of God. We are able love God and love our neighbors only because He is the “I AM.” Through Him all things are possible, and without Him nothing is possible.

This week, people of God, may we remember the “I AM.” May we live every moment in some way recognizing that our lives rest totally on Him and who He is. And may we be encouraged: no matter what we may face this week, God is who He is. Nothing can change His strength, love, and faithfulness. As God calls us to proclaim freedom to those held captive by this world, we go in the power of the “I AM.”