Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. The first thought, perhaps, of all which lies wrapped in these two grand comprehensive words, "I AM," is mystery. Our best worship is in silence, and our truest wisdom when we confess without confession. "It is too high for me, I cannot attain unto it." The utmost conception of the most exalted intellect of the most heaven-taught man is only a faint approximation thereto. "I AM." It still lies in the future of a far-off beatitude — "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." But where do these glimpses lie of the great I AM; and how can we now know Him at all? I believe, first, in nature. The wonderful organization and marvellous system of nature, in the world I live in. Next I look for it in the Holy Word which He has given to me with the impress of His mind and being. But more in that Spirit which dwells in me and which is the reflection of the nature and a very part of the life and the essence of God. Thirdly, and better still in Him, His own dear Son, "the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person," and who claims to Himself that very name (John 8:58). No created thing could ever say with truth, "I am." God alone has no other origin but Himself. He depends upon nothing; His life is essential life; all life, from all eternity past to all eternity yet to come. He is "I AM." Therefore because He is the I AM, all is present time with God. It is the present tense ever. The consequences are tremendous. All our past sins, all our past mercies, all our past promises and vows, all our past life, and all the life that is yet to come, it is all the present moment with God, in all its freshness and clearness and distinctness at this moment — "I AM." Hence the absolute and perfect unchangeableness! Or take another instance in that great name "I AM." All life, which is life indeed, must emanate from Him. He is the life. And there is another view which we may take of these two grand words, "I AM." God does not say what He is. He leaves that to us. We must fill in the blank. "I am whatever you make Me. If you disbelieve Me, if you think little of Me, I am a just God, a holy God, a jealous God, an avenging God, a strict God, a punishing God; I shall by no means spare the guilty, I am a consuming fire. If you are a penitent sinner, if you have left Me and are coming back to Me, if you are sorry for what you have done, if you have grieved Me, and now wish to please Me, I am a forgiving God, full of mercy and compassion, of great pity, passing by transgression and sin more than any one asketh. I am love. If you are really My child, poor, weak, unworthy, sinful though you are, yet still My child, striving to please Me, earnest to serve Me, desiring more and more to see Me and be with Me, telling Me everything in your little heart, trusting Me, loving Me, I am your own dear loving faithful Father; I am yours and you are Mine to the very end. I have loved you and chosen you from all eternity, and I never change. Though I do sometimes hide Myself, yet behind the cloud I AM, I AM, I AM. I am thine, and thou art Mine, for ever and ever!"(J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. |
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