I AM WHO I AM: Understanding God's Character in Exodus 3
One of the most significant events in the life of God’s people throughout redemptive history is the Exodus. However, while the Exodus holds great importance, it is even more crucial to recognize that in Exodus 3, God reveals the majestic magnificence of His character. This magnificence contains two glorious truths that are inextricably linked; without these truths, the Christian understanding of God cannot be fully realized or worshiped. The salvation of Israel from Egypt cannot be properly understood unless it is framed within this dual revelation of God’s character as expressed through His own declaration and demonstrated in the miraculous burning bush.
God’s Covenant Identity
When God approaches Moses, He identifies Himself as “the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). In this introduction, God positions Himself as the covenant God, the One who has sovereignly initiated a relationship with His people. The first point God wants Moses to grasp is that He is a God who is intimately present with His people (v. 12), who will deliver them from bondage in Egypt (v. 8), and who has redeemed them for the singular purpose of worshiping Him (v. 12). Through Moses, God is actively fulfilling His covenant promise to Israel.
Upon receiving this call from God, Moses becomes acutely aware of the immense weight of the responsibility placed upon him. Hesitation creeps in, and he seeks a way to avoid the monumental task ahead. He points to his own inadequacies, asking, “Who am I?” (v. 11), to which God reassures him with a powerful affirmation: “But I will be with you” (v. 12).
The Name of God: “I AM WHO I AM”
Moses then asks what may initially seem like an odd question: he requests to know God’s name. This inquiry is significant because, in the Old Testament, a person’s name often reflects their character. By asking for God’s name, Moses seeks a deeper understanding of God’s character so that Israel may know the One who has called him is indeed sufficient and capable of achieving the promised deliverance.
God’s response—“I AM WHO I AM”—is a profound revelation of His utter and complete self-sufficiency. This name reflects God’s aseity, signifying that He exists independently of anything else. He alone is self-existent (a se) and, therefore, is not reliant on any external forces, including Pharaoh’s cooperation, to fulfill His promises.
The name “I Am” serves as the root form of the name Yahweh. As John Calvin rightly points out, this name is given in the Old Testament so that “our minds may be filled with admiration as often as his incomprehensible essence is mentioned.” The “incomprehensible essence” captured in the name Yahweh is referenced over five thousand times in the Old Testament.
The Burning Bush: A Symbol of God’s Character
In Exodus 3, God identifies Himself in two primary ways: as the covenant God who is with His people and as the self-existing God who requires nothing to be who He is or to accomplish His purposes. This dual revelation finds its powerful illustration in the burning bush.
The purpose of the miracle of the burning bush is not merely to evoke amazement from Moses but to display the very character of God that He has revealed. The burning bush illustrates what theologians refer to as God’s transcendence and immanence. This miraculous event demonstrates that the “I Am” is utterly independent and self-sufficient, even as He promises to “come down” (Ex. 3:8) to be with His people and redeem them.
The burning bush points to the climactic revelation of the self-existing God who descends to save a people, ultimately leading us to the person of Jesus Christ, who is Immanuel—God with us (Matthew 1:23; 28:20).
The Uniqueness of God’s Revelation
Understanding the dual character of God revealed in Exodus 3 is essential for anyone engaging in biblical apologetics. No other religion on earth recognizes a God like this. The faith we defend is wholly unique, beginning and ending with the revelation of this majestic mystery of God’s character as presented in Holy Scripture.
In conclusion, the insights provided in Exodus 3 not only deepen our understanding of who God is but also enhance our appreciation for His unchanging presence and sufficiency in our lives. Recognizing God as both the covenant keeper and the self-sufficient “I Am” enables us to worship Him in spirit and truth, fostering a deeper relationship with the One who calls us His own.
