I keep getting these phone calls from people telling me they are with the police department or with the fire department and that they are raising money for underprivileged children or for protective gear or for something equally significant. So, a department you can trust raising money for a cause you can get behind. And then comes the question, “Can the police department depend on your support?” And my answer is always “Nope.” I don’t know these people. I don’t know if they are who they say they are. I don’t know if they are connected with the police department at all. I don’t know if they are collecting money for underprivileged children or for a Caribbean cruise. Anyone can say “I am” anything. On the other hand, in the midst of our doubts and fears, there is a voice that booms out with a “I am Yahweh!” Some people have been beat up by life; pummeled and bleeding; barely breathing in a crumpled heap on the floor. They don’t have the energy to hear; they don’t have enough hope to lift their heads. But the will of Yahweh will stand and it does not require our observance or belief. Yahweh is not waiting for a hand out before he can get busy.
In Exodus 6:2-13, Yahweh says “I Am Yahweh” four times. Because Pharaoh increased their work load, the people are angry at Moses for interfering. Moses is angry at God for causing the whole mess by sending him to Pharaoh. And God responds with “I Am Yahweh!” There may be a bit of a rebuke involved here. “Um Moses, did you forget who you are talking to?” Mostly, however, it is a reminder that “I Am” is Present and on the job. And he has been Present all along, even in the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are not sure what “but by my name, Yahweh, I did not make myself known to them” in verse 3 means, since Genesis 13:4 tells us that Abraham built an altar and called on the name of Yahweh. What was more familiar to the patriarchs was the name El Shaddai – the God of strength or God Almighty. There may be a shift here in the names and what they imply. Exodus is the story of how the Israelites became the people of God. They needed to know Yahweh – The Present One in a way the patriarchs did not. God showed up in different ways because the circumstances were different. He still does that. Isn’t that why we have such a hard time when we try to pin down an explanation of who God is?
After God reminds Moses and the people that he established a covenant with the patriarchs; a covenant of promised land, he lets them know that he has heard their groaning. He will bring them out from under the forced labor of the Egyptians because of their pain and because of who he is. “I am Yahweh” will snatch them away from their bondage. “I am Yahweh” will step up and act as their kinsman redeem and stretch out his mighty arm in judgment. Then “I am Yahweh” will take them as his people and he will be, not a husband, but their God. This will all be done in such a way that they will know “I Am Yahweh” the Ruler. They will inherit the promised land. The whole message is wrapped up with “I am Yahweh”.
Moses delivers this powerful message of the mighty hand of “I am Yahweh” snatching them out of the clutches of Egypt. But the people refuse to listen. We are told that this is due to their shortness of spirit. They were spirit less. They were crushed by the heavy and cruel bondage. Pharaoh beat the life right out of them. So, Yahweh tells Moses to take the message to Pharaoh. Moses seems to be a bit spirit less himself. If the people of God won’t get excited about the “I am Yahweh” speech, why would Pharaoh listen. “And besides, Lord, did you forget about the whole uncircumcised lips thing?” Which is again Moses saying “I don’t speak so good God”. God tells Moses and Aaron “Get yourselves busy and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.” God’s plan is not dependent upon the people’s acceptance of it; it doesn’t wait on Pharaoh’s pleasure. It will happen because “I am Yahweh” planned it. The Israelites will march out of Egypt in spite of their lack of spirit and crushed lives. God’s plan will happen regardless of Pharaoh’s arrogance.
“I am Yahweh” has invited you to be his child. It is different today. This time God showed up in the image of a man named Jesus. And through Jesus Yahweh brought redemption to all of mankind. He is still the Present One stepping up and acting the part of the kinsman redeemer. My individual salvation depends on my believing in Jesus and picking up my cross and following him. But the plan of God will happen even if my spirit is less; even if I am too crushed to listen. There will be a new heaven and new earth regardless of what I accept or don’t accept. I certainly don’t want to be too crushed by life to go there. Listen! Walter