The Great I AM

• 1^st – Meeting with God… vs. 1-10
  • 1^st – Moses had been watching sheep for 40 years… vs. 1
    • He led the flock of his father-in-law Jethro – to backside of the desert (middle of nowhere)!
    • He came to Mount Horeb – desert – another name for Mount Sinai…
    • Likely located in modern day Saudi Arabia – the burnt mountain of Jebel al Lawz…
    • Moses had lived a full life (80 years old) – was married – and had 2 sons (Gershom / Eliezer)
    • Any thought of being the REDEEMER of Israel was long gone…
    • But one day – no different than any other – just doing his menial job – God met Moses!
    • Often – we expect fanfare – advanced warning – if God is going to do a work in our lives…
    • But there is no warning when God does a work – on a day like any other – so be ready!
  • 2^nd – The Angel of the Lord appearing to Moses… vs. 2
    • Angel – [מַלְאָךְ] – 214x in OT – a word that simply means MESSANGER…
      • But depending on the CONTEXT is can be interpreted at as ANGEL…
      • The Bible does not tell us very much about Angels…
      • How many angels are there – we do NOT know – but innumerable – Hebrews 12:22
      • When were they created – we do NOT know – presumably between Genesis 1-2
      • We know they are VERY powerful – one angel killed 185k men – Isaiah 37:36
      • 1/3 of all the angels [stars] rebelled along with satan against God – Revelation 12:4
      • So there are more GOOD angels – then BAD angels!
    • The ANGEL of the LORD – is NOT just an angel…
      • The title ANGEL of the Lord appears number times in the Old Testament…
      • Genesis 16 – to Hagar / Genesis 22 – to Abraham / Numbers 22 – to Balaam…
      • The title is special – it is not an angel – Moses is about to meet GOD!
  • 3^rd – Moses saw a burning bush… vs. 2
    • I will now REALLY turn (cohortative – emphasis) aside and REALLY see this great sight…
      • A burning bush was nothing unusual (wood burns) – but this one did not burn up!
      • More than anything – I think Moses was bored – not much to do watching sheep…
      • Something different in the desert – worth taking a closer look!
    • Why a burning bush…
      • Moses fire for God had GONE OUT – he was no longer living for the Lord…
      • God wanted to reignite his passion – prepare him for the work God wanted to do…
      • Like the bush – the fire of God does not destroy – it consumes us so we shine for Jesus!
      • Hebrews 12:29 – “For our God is a consuming fire.”
      • Are we on fire for God – do our lives blaze with a passion for Jesus…
      • Or are we more like a little candle flicker – perhaps just burning embers…
      • Maybe on Sunday or Wednesday there is a little glow – but not on other days…
      • God wants us to burn brightly for Him DAILY – so the world will see Jesus in us!
  • 4^th – Take off your sandals… vs. 4-6
    • As Moses drew near – God called out to him from the burning bush…
      • Do NOT [אַל] come near [imperative] – take off your shoes for this is HOLY ground…
      • In the ancient world the removal of shoes was a sign of respect / reverence…
      • It represented not bringing inside the grime and filth of the world…
      • When Jesus washed the disciples feet – you only need to wash your feet – John 13:10
      • This is obviously not referring to hygiene – if you just wash your feet – you will stink!
      • It is a spiritual picture – your feet are affected by where you go…
      • If where you go and what you do is clean – the rest of you will also be clean!
      • We as believers need to be careful where we go – and what we do…
      • We are foolish if we think that our surroundings do not affect us…
      • Choose VERY wisely who you spend time with – because you will become like them!
      • I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”
    • I am the God of your father – the God of Abraham / Isaac / and Jacob…
      • Moses had grown up being taught about many gods – Egypt had more than 1500 gods!
      • God clearly identifies Himself to Moses and the One True God – the God of Israel!
      • And Moses hid (hiphil) his face – for he was AFRAID (perfect) to look upon God!
  • 5^th – The command – redeem Israel… vs. 7-10
    • God saw what was happening to Israel…
      • Seen their oppression – heard their cries – know their sorrows – all PERFECT tense!
      • This was not something that God JUST noticed – He had always seen / heard / known!
      • But it was a matter of waiting for the TIME when Israel would look to Him!
      • I think we often wonder if God really SEES our hardships – or HEARS our cries…
      • We wonder if He cares – if perhaps He is too busy to help us out…
      • God KNOWS our troubles – and He desires to help – the question are we looking to Him…
      • Not a single look – but constantly looking – waiting on Him for His salvation!
    • God wanted to free Israel…
      • HE had come DOWN to deliver (hiphil) them out of the hands of the Egyptians…
        • God would take them OUT of the land of Egypt – and INTO the Promised Land…
        • To a GOOD and LARGE land – flowing with milk and honey (picture of prosperity) …
        • Bring them into the Land He promised to Abraham – Genesis 15:18-21
      • Therefore – I will send you (imperative) to Pharoah to bring my people out of Egypt…
        • Moses was chosen to redeem Israel from Pharaoh – from slavery…
        • Moses failed years earlier in his own strength – but now it was Gods TIME!
        • Waiting for God to work is one of the hardest things to do as a Christian…
        • When things do NOT work the way we plan – we often give up – thinking it hopeless…
        • In reality we just needed to wait on the Lord – wait for His timing!

• 2^nd – five excuses… 3:11 – 4:17
  • 1^st – Who am I that I should go to Pharoah… vs. 11-12
    • You would think this would be an answer to his prayer – a SECOND chance…
      • But instead Moses argued – who am I that I should go to Pharaoh…
      • Who he was NOT important – it was not about him – it was about who was with him!
      • God told Moses He would be with him – to bring Israel back to Mount Sinai to worship!
    • Moses was not longer self-confident – he was a humbled / broken man…
      • Moses had learned – during 40 years in the wilderness – he was nothing…
      • Ironically that is exactly why he was perfect now to be used by God…
      • By learning he was nothing – being emptied of self – he was ready to be filled with God!
      • When we think we CAN – that is when God CANNOT work through us…
      • Because we are confident in OURSELVES – we do NOT look to or rely upon the Lord…
      • It is when we realize we are NOTHING – the God can do ANYTING through us…
      • In humility and brokenness we depend upon the unlimited resources of Jesus!
      • II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient… My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
  • 2^nd – Moses argued – Israel will ask what Your name is… vs. 13-15
    • God answered – I AM that I AM had sent me to you!
      • This is what you will say to the Children of Israel…
      • This is His name FOREVER – and His memorial to ALL generations!
    • I AM – VERB – to be or to become – whatever we need Him to be in the moment we need it!
      • Jesus would pick up on this title in the New Testament – the I AM statements!
      • I AM the bread of life / I AM the good shepherd / I AM the way – truth – and the life…
      • I AM the light of the world / I AM the resurrection and the life / I AM the door!
      • Jesus is always there to be just who we need – right when we need Him…
      • If we are lacking – He is our provider – the BREAD of Life…
      • If we need comfort – He is our SHEPHERD / if we need direction – He is our LIGHT…
      • Since we need salvation – He is the TRUTH / the DOOR / RESURRECTION and the LIFE!
      • God who calls us to step out – is also the One who has all the power to enable us…
      • We do not go in our strength or ability – we have the resources of the Great I AM!
  • God gives Moses the PLAN… vs. 16-22
    • Go (imperative) and gather the elders of Israel…
      • Tell them the God of their fathers – Abraham / Isaac / and Jacob has seen you in Egypt…
      • He will bring you out of affliction – to a land flowing with milk and honey…
      • They will listen to you and go with you to see the Pharaoh!
    • Tell the Pharaoh – the God of the Hebrews met us…
      • PLEASE let us go (cohortative – emphasis) three days journey to sacrifice to him…
      • God had SEEN [יָדַע] Pharaoh would NOT let the people go – not even by a mighty hand!
      • Therefore God would stretch out His Hand – strike Egypt with all His WONDERS…
      • WONDERS (niphal) – BEYOND POWERFUL – speaking of the ten plagues!
      • Then Pharaoh would FORCE (piel) the Israelites to leave!
      • And God would give FAVOR to Israel in the eyes of the Egyptians – not leave EMPTY…
      • Israel would intensely PLUNDER (piel) the Egyptians as they left!
    • Amazingly – this is EXACTLY what happened…
      • God gave the history of the Exodus – before Moses ever left Midian!
      • Because the Great I AM is sovereign over His people – displaying His WONDERS in Egypt…
      • God is sovereign over all kingdoms of this world – even bending the will of Pharoah…
      • Nothing happens apart from His purposes / and His plans!
      • Proverbs 21:1 – “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD… He turns it wherever He wishes.”
      • This is a VERY encouraging message – especially in light of the uncertainly in the world…
      • Even when life seems uncertain – we can be confident ultimately God is in control!
  • 3^rd – What if they do NOT believe me… vs. 1-9
    • Power over satan… vs. 1-5
      • Moses argued – what if they do NOT believe me…
        • It is one thing to say God sent me – quite another for others to believe it!
        • The Lord commanded Moses to throw his rod on the ground…
        • Moses threw his rod on the ground and it turned into a snake (Moses ran away) …
        • God commanded to pick it back up again – and it became a rod in his hand…
        • This would convince the JEWS the God of Jacob had appeared to Moses!
      • Serpent – [נָחָשׁ] – used 31x in OT – describes a snake…
        • Almost the identical word [נָחַשׁ] – means to practice divination / sorcery!
        • It is a symbol often used to describe our enemy – satan – Genesis 3:1
        • God was given Moses POWER over the enemy – power over satan!
        • Luke 10:19 – “I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
        • With God on our side we have nothing to fear from satan – our enemy…
        • Satan seeks to accuse us – wants to see us condemned to hell – Revelation 12:10
        • He has all the EVIDENCE he needs – all our sins / our immoral thoughts…
        • But Jesus destroyed the power of satan – so that he has nothing to accuse us of…
        • All our sins were paid for in full on the cross – we are untouchable in Jesus!
    • Power over sin… vs. 6-8
      • The Lord commanded Moses to put his hand inside his (bosom) shirt…
        • Moses put his hand in his shirt – took it out white and LEPROUS – white as snow…
        • He put his hand back in his shirt – took it back out made whole again…
        • If the people did not believe the FIRST sign – they would believe the SECOND!
      • God was Moses the POWER over SIN…
        • LEPROUS – 20x in OT – is first mentioned here in the Bible…
        • Leprosy – carried with it a horrible stigma – UNCLEAN – Leviticus 13:44-45
        • If you were diagnosed with leprosy – you would be cut off from the community!
        • Symbolically it refers to sin – takes away our sensitivity to what is right and wrong!
        • Leprosy is a disease that attacks the nervous system so a person cannot feel…
        • It can be very dangerous because they do NOT know they harm themselves…
        • Today it is called Hansens disease and can be treated with antibiotics!
        • The first time we commit a sin is the hardest – we feel it is wrong…
        • But it gets easier and easier each time – we stop FEELING the guilt after a while…
        • Eventually we lose all feeling of guilt and remorse – causing us to be cut off – UNCLEAN!
    • The power of the Covenant… vs. 9
      • If the people did not believe the first TWO signs – or listen to the VOICE of Moses…
      • The last sign was taking RIVER water – pouring it on land – becoming blood!
      • Both the Old and the New Covenants were sealed in WATER and BLOOD!
      • Hebrews 9:19-20 – “Moses… took the BLOOD of calves and goats, with WATER… and sprinkled… the book… saying – This is [what] God has commanded you.”
      • John 19:34 – “One of the soldiers pierced [Jesus] side with a spear, and immediately BLOOD and WATER came out.”
      • God had given His PROMISE (in blood and water) – to redeem His people from bondage! 
      • We have been given the same POWER – the same SIGNS to PROVE we are sent by God!
      • God has given us POWER over satan – POWER over sin through the work of the cross…
      • And God has given us His PROMISE – that He will save us from the bondage of this world!
  • 4^th – I am not a good speaker… vs. 10-12
    • Lord I am not ELOQUENT – literally a man of words…
      • Moses told God – I am slow of speech and slow of tongue… 

• Yet – according to Acts 7:22 – Moses was a man mighty in word and deeds…
• Now 40 years later Moses was not nearly as CONFIDENT – he was HUMBLED!
• The Lord answered him – who made your mouth…
  • God is the one who makes men mute / deaf / or blind (not Moses) … 
  • God was not concerned about Moses ABILITIES – He would speak through Moses!
  • I AM with your mouth – and I have ALREADY taught (hiphil – perfect) you what to say!
  • God is not looking for our qualifications – He is looking for our availability…
  • God uses the one who is ready – the person who is willing to be used!
  • He then takes those who are willing – and makes them qualified to do His work!
• 5^th – Send someone else… vs. 13-17
  • Lord PLEASE send whomever ELSE you may send…
    • Moses gets to the bottom line – I do NOT want to – just send ANYONE else…
    • I think often this is often what we end up saying to God!
    • When all of our excuses are used up – we are left saying – God use ANYONE else…
    • It is scary to think God wants to use us – what if we make a mistake – what if we fail…
    • What if we look foolish – what if people make fun of us – what if they persecute us…
    • All of these are possibilities – if not certainties – but none of them matter!
  • For such a time as this – Esther 4:14
    • If we do NOT step out – God still gets His work done – He just uses someone else…
    • But then we MISS the blessing – we MISS the opportunity to see God use our lives…
    • If the Lord is stirring our heart – step out – for such a time as this!
  • The anger was kindled…
    • Moses had an older brother named Aaron – he COULD speak well…
    • He was coming to visit Moses – and his heart would be glad to see him…
    • Moses would speak to Aaron – and I AM would speak to Moses…
    • So Aaron would speak to the people – but only the WORDS God gave to Moses!
    • No more excuses – take Aaron and the rod and go to Egypt!
  • Both Moses and Aaron became powerful figures in Jewish history…
    • There is no greater leader in Israel – than Moses – he was the Law giver…
    • From Aaron – the first High Priest – came all other Priests of Israel…
    • Although Moses hesitation kindled the anger of the Lord – God used it!
    • Too often we think because we did not respond to the Lord – follow that nudge…
    • That perhaps we have missed out on the best of what God had for us…
    • But the truth is God uses ALL things – even our hesitation – Romans 8:28

• 3^rd – Back to Egypt… vs. 18-31
  • 1^st – Israel is my firstborn… vs. 18-23
    • Moses came to Jethro and asked permission to return to Egypt…
      • God told Moses – all those who sought to kill him in Egypt were dead…
      • Moses put his wife and sons on a donkey – and returned to Egypt!
    • When you arrive in Egypt do (imperative) ALL the WONDERS before Pharoah…
      • But God would HARDEN the heart of Pharaoh – so he would not let Israel go!
      • We will talk a LOT about this in the coming weeks – WHO hardened Pharaoh…
      • And WHY did God allow for his heart to be HARDENED!
    • WHEN Pharoah refused – Mosses was to reply…
      • Israel is the FIRSTBORN of God – let them go so that they could SERVE the Lord…
      • If Pharaoh would not let them go – God would kill the FIRSTBORN of Pharaoh…
      • God was giving Moses a glimpse of the battle that lay ahead…
      • It would conclude with the 10^th and final plague – and PASSOVER!
  • 2^nd – A good example… vs. 24-26
    • A bloody husband…
      • On the way to Egypt – God met Moses and tried intensely to kill (piel) Moses…
      • His wife – Zipporah – circumcised their son and threw the foreskin at Moses feet…
      • ONLY then did the Lord let Moses go – Zipporah called him a bloody husband…
      • Likely she had resisted circumcising their son – painful – not part of her faith!
    • It may seem odd that God tried to KILL the man he SENT…
      • But Moses had not followed the command of God to Abraham – Genesis 17:10
      • Moses could not be an example / leader of Israel – if he was not following the Lord!
      • God does not play around when it comes to being a BAD example…
      • Ananias and Saphira lied about selling land and giving money to the church…
      • The result was the Holy Spirit killed the BOTH of them – Acts 5:5
      • If we are going to serve the Lord – be used by God – we must obey the Lord…
      • So we can say to others – like Paul – follow me as I follow Jesus!
      • I Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s.”
  • 3^rd – Moses and Aaron before Israel… vs. 27-31
    • Aaron met Moses at Mount Sinai – and Moses told him all the Lord had said…
    • Together they went to Egypt and met with the children of Israel…
    • Aaron spoke all the words God had given to Moses – and showed all the signs…
    • The people believed and worshiped (for now) knowing God had seen their suffering!