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REVIEW
Exodus 3:13-22
Knowing Who He Is, Trusting His Plan
Jesus put mud on one man’s eyes and His fingers into another man’s ears. Yet these were not the only ways He healed. We learn something important from these stories: God often works in unique ways, but we should not assume that He will work in exactly the same way every time.
Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush is similar. Through that experience we gain insight into God’s character, but we do not need our own burning bush moment in order to know Him. Biblical narratives reveal who God is and how He relates to people; they are not necessarily patterns that every believer will experience in the same way. When reading a narrative, it is important to ask not only, “What happened?” but also, “What does this reveal about God?”
As the conversation at the burning bush continues, two themes emerge:
- Who God is
- What He intends
When Moses asks whom he should say has sent him, God reveals His name: “I AM.” In many English Bibles, God’s covenant name, Yahweh, is represented by “LORD” in capital letters because of the reverence with which His name was treated. Remarkably, God’s name appears nearly 6,900 times in the Old Testament, yet many believers spend little time considering its significance. In the same way, we can overlook the meaning of the name Yeshua—Jesus—which means “Yahweh saves.” Names in Scripture are often rich with meaning, and God’s self-revelation to Moses is no exception.
In His conversation with Moses, God shows that He wants His people to:
- Know Him by name
- Relate to Him personally
- Remember His faithfulness throughout their history
- Trust that His purposes are for their good and His glory
God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reminding Moses that His promises extend across generations. The God who was faithful in the past remains faithful in the present.
God gave Moses a glimpse of what was ahead, but He did not reveal every detail. He explained what He intended to do, but not every step of how it would unfold. Instead, He called Moses to trust Him. The God who is “I AM”—the eternal, self-existent, unchanging foundation of all things—loves and cares for His people. His purposes are good even when His plans are not fully explained.
We do not need to seek our own burning bush experience in order to know and trust the God who made the bush burn. The same God who revealed Himself to Moses has revealed Himself through His Word, His faithfulness, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. Our confidence rests not in having extraordinary experiences, but in knowing the extraordinary God who calls us to trust Him.
REMEMBER
We don’t have to seek our own burning bush moment but we can know the God who made the bush burn.
REFLECT
How does understanding God as “I AM” influence the way you trust Him when you do not know all the details of what lies ahead?
The summary emphasizes knowing God personally rather than seeking extraordinary experiences. In what ways can you grow in your relationship with God through His Word and faithfulness in everyday life?
If you know this God, what would it mean to walk with Him today?
Word of the week: Know
RESPOND
Lord, You are the great I AM.
When I cannot see the path ahead,
help me trust the One who does.
When You do not reveal every detail,
remind me that Your plans are good.
Give me faith to follow,
peace to wait,
and confidence in Your presence.
Amen.
RELATE
Avoid expecting everyone’s journey to look like your own. Just as God worked differently in the lives of Moses and others, people may experience growth, challenges, and faith in unique ways. Listen to others with humility, respect their experiences, and encourage them without assuming that what worked for you must work for them. This approach fosters understanding, patience, and stronger relationships.
REHEARSE
GOD SAID TO MOSES, I AM WHO I AM. Exodus 3:14a
READ
Revisit: Exodus 3:13-22
Read ahead: Exodus 4
