I AM

For years I have been fascinated with the power of these two tiny words. They appear in the third chapter of Exodus (the Biblical book, not the novel or the movie), and they change the course of our human understanding of God.

Moses has just had a dramatic encounter with Divinity in the form of a voice that speaks from a burning bush. This amazing voice calls Moses to servanthood, and impels him on an umbelievably dangerous mission. He is to go to Egypt, confront the mighty Pharaoh, and lead the Hebrew slaves from captivity!

In what appears to be a completely understandable but increasingly desperate list of objections, Moses finally asks the Voice, “If I say to the Israelites, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you’, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” The words then come in answer to Moses seemingly peculiar question, “I AM WHO I AM.” The Voice then goes on to instruct Moses, “You shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”

I AM! It is a self-proclamation of existence! I AM. Where ever two such tiny words endowed with such power? How can such a miniscule phrase contain and claim so much? Two common, almost insignificant words set out what is undoubtedly the most historic and incredible claim for Divine existence and identity ever! So powerful are these little words that they reshape not only Moses life, but transform the entire Israelite nation. Over time, three major world religions can trace their faith directly back to this simple but magnificent phrase.

But that is not all, for don’t those same words resonate with the same power and authenticity today? In its purest form, is this not the testimony of millions of people around the world? GOD IS! We may not understand it; but in our hearts, those words still resonate, and we take comfort and assurance in this most basic and foundational expression of faith.

GOD IS…and we are!

Oh, the amazing power of words!