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Exodus 3:14, 15 - THE NAME OF GOD.

Exodus 3:14, 15 (NIV) God said to Moses, "I 
AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the 
Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 15 God also said 
to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, 
the God of your fathers - the God of Abraham, 
the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob - has sent 
me to you.' This is my name forever, the name 
by which I am to be remembered from generation 
to generation.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   I sit on my deck listening to the flow of 
traffic along what was once a quiet country road, 
traffic that was practically nonexistent thirty 
years ago when this deck was constructed. To my 
surprise, the intoxicating hum of morning traffic is a 
pleasant complement to the potted plants bursting 
into a haphazard rainbow along the deck's edges. 
A blend of the old and the new, I reflect. A 
striking snapshot of life itself. I smile through a 
sigh as I think of the one constant among all the 
vicissitudes of my life, the Great I Am. 
   I love that while God the Father answers 
Moses's uncertainty with a direct "I Am That I Am," 
leaving it at that, God the Son - ever-mediating 
Lord that He is - offers a list of "I Am" 
metaphors to strengthen us throughout the ages. In the 
Gospel of John, Jesus lays out a smorgasbord of 
comforts to those willing to put their trust in Him, 
declaring, "I Am the Bread," "the Light," "the Door," 
"the Good Shepherd," "the Resurrection," "the 
Way, the Truth, and the Life," and "the Vine." As 
often stated in the African-American community to 
describe the excellence of something, He's "all that 
and a bag of chips." 
   No matter the increase in the traffic of 
our earthly ups and downs, Jesus is that 
everlasting, never-too-busy friend - always there, 
sustaining us when life's changes overwhelm us. What 
more can we ask? While we can't control time's 
inexorability, we are blessed with the stability of 
eternity through the Great I Am. 
   Lord, no matter the climate, weather, or 
traffic, I'm so grateful for the beauty of this day 
and Your indelible stamp of hope upon it. 
Jacqueline F. Wheelock [Walking in Grace 2021 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

INTRODUCTION

I Am means an eternal presence; the past, 
present, and future are alike to God. He sees the 
most remote events of past history, and the far 
distant future with as clear a vision as we do those 
things that are transpiring daily. We know not what 
is before us, and if we did, it would not 
contribute to our eternal welfare. God gives us an 
opportunity to exercise faith and trust in the great I 
Am (MS 5a, 1895). 1BC1099 

   Twenty-three times in all we find our 
Lord's meaningful "I AM" in the Greek text of the 
Gospel of John 4:26; 6:20, 35, 41, 48, 51; 8:12, 
18, 24, 28, 58; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 13:19; 
14:6; 15:1, 5; 18:5, 6, 8). In several of these, 
He joins His "I AM" with seven tremendous 
metaphors which are expressive of His saving 
relationship toward the world. 
   "I AM the Bread of life" (6:35, 41, 48, 
51). 
   "I AM the Light of the world" (8:12).
   "I AM the Door of the sheep" (10:7, 9).
   "I AM the Good Shepherd" (10:11, 14).
   "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" 
(11:25). 
   "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" 
(14:6). 
   "I AM the true Vine" (15:1, 5). 
[MacArthur Daily Bible 2003 re John 6:35] 

COMMENTARY 

God always has been. He is the great I AM. 
The psalmist declares, "Before the mountains 
were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the 
earth and the world, even from everlasting to 
everlasting, Thou art God." He is the high and lofty One 
that inhabiteth eternity. "I am the Lord, I 
change not," He declares. With Him there is no 
variableness, neither shadow of turning. He is "the same 
yesterday, and today, and forever." He is infinite and 
omnipresent. No words of ours can describe His greatness 
and majesty. MM92 

   The Hebrew word for Lord, God's name, is 
YHWH. Translated "I AM" and used about seven 
thousand times in the Old Testament, this most 
sublime name of God was whispered by the high priest 
in the Most Holy Place once a year. Outside of 
that important occasion, the name was never 
written or uttered.  
   YHWH, or Yahweh, speaks of God as "He 
that always was, always is, and ever is to come." 
God revealed this name to Moses, and it became 
the name associated with the covenant between 
God and His people.  
   That Old Testament covenant has been 
fulfilled in the New Testament, enabling you to find 
forgiveness for your sins and to enjoy an intimate 
relationship with your heavenly Father. As you live out 
your faith, you will come to know God as Healer, 
Protector, Provider, Comforter, and Savior.  
   Your unique life experiences will reveal 
God's nature to you in countless personal ways. 
Ask Him to help you see this very day some of 
the ways He is revealing His character to you. 
[Being Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby] 

   Samuel Shoemaker, the American 
Episcopalian preacher who was instrumental in forming 
Alcoholics Anonymous, pointed out that the whole 
principle of prayer depends on what kind of Being the 
Creator is. Listen to this statement made to a group 
of recovering alcoholics: "If He created the 
universe and gave everything a primeval push, and 
then retired beyond where we cannot get in 
contact with Him, prayer is a vain effort. But if He 
be a personal God as Christians believe He is, 
then He will have a concern for the people He 
made and will want to involve Himself with them 
in all their affairs." We are not alone in this 
universe; a personal God stands behind all things, 
waiting, longing that we might enter into a 
relationship with Him.  
   We said that one of the reasons why 
people desire an impersonal God is because this 
kind of God is easier to live with than one who 
is personal like themselves. It's rather nice 
to carry inside our hearts a subjective idea of 
a God of beauty, truth, and goodness. That 
kind of God demands nothing of us. Better still a 
formless life-force surging through all of us, a vast 
power we can tap and use to our advantage. This 
kind of God is extremely easy to live with.  
   But a living God who approaches us at 
infinite speed - the Hunter, the King, the lover, the 
Husband - this is quite another matter. Yet whether 
we believe it or not, this is the kind of God 
He is.  
   How thankful I am that You are not just a 
supernatural energy or a life-force, but a personal Being 
whom I can address as Father. Your personality 
engages with my personality, and we are one. In this 
my joy knows no bounds. Amen. [Every Day With 
Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotionals] 

ILLUSTRATION

While Praying One Day A Woman Asked,
"Who Are You , God?" He Answered, "I AM."
"But Who Is, 'I AM?'" She Asked.
He Replied. "I AM Love, I AM Peace, I AM 
Grace, I AM Joy, 
I AM Strength, I AM Safety, I AM Shelter, I 
AM Power, 
I AM The Creator, I AM The Comforter,
I AM The Beginning And The End.
I AM The Way, Truth, And The Light."
With Tears In Her Eyes She Looked Toward 
Heaven 
And Said, "Now I Understand. But, Who Am I?"
God Tenderly Wiped The Tears From Her Eyes 
And 
Whispered, "You Are Mine." GodVine.com

CLOSING THOUGHT

The Names of God
   In the three years as I came to know my 
wife, Denalyn, our relationship evolved. And with 
each change came a new name.  She went from 
acquaintance to friend to eye-popping beauty to date to 
fiance and wife. Now she is confidante, mother of 
my children, life-long partner.  The more I 
know her the more names I give her. 
   And the more Gods people came to know 
him, the more names they gave him.  Elohim, 
strong one or creator.  Jehovah-raah, a caring 
shepherd. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who provides. These 
are just a few of the names of God which 
describe his character.  Study them, for in a given 
day, you may need each one of them. 
   God, the shepherd who leads, the Lord who 
provides, the voice who brings peace in the storm, the 
physician who heals the sick, the banner that guides. 
And most of all He Is! by Max Lucado 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   I am the Eternal I AM; I always have 
been, and I always will be. In My Presence you 
experience Love and Light, Peace and Joy. I am 
intimately involved in all your moments, and I am 
training you to be aware of Me at all times. Your 
assignment is to collaborate with Me in this training 
process.  
   I have taken up residence within you; I 
am central in your innermost being. Your mind 
goes off in tangents from its holy Center, time 
after time. Do not be alarmed by your inability to 
remain focused on Me. Simply bring your thoughts 
gently back to Me each time they wander. The 
quickest way to redirect your mind to me is to 
whisper My Name. (Exodus 3:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 
Psalm 25:14-15) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC

John 6:35 - The First I AM - Jesus the Bread 
of Life!  

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200825-1003.html 

John 8:12 - The Second I AM; Jesus the Light 
of the World! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200826-1018.html 

John 10:7-9 - The Third I AM; Jesus is The 
Door or Gate of Salvation! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130523-1526.html 

John 10:11 - The Fourth I AM; Jesus is The 
Good Shepherd! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130602-2225.html 

John 11:25 - The Fifth I AM; Jesus is The 
Resurrection and The Life! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200712-1029.html 

John 14:6 - The Sixth I AM; Jesus is the 
Way, the Truth, and the Life! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210718-1038.html 

John 15:4, 5 - The Seventh I AM; Jesus is 
the Vine! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211031-1051.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657