Chapter 3
"I AM"
Moses Talks to God at the Burning Bush
In Genesis chapter 46, we read that Jacob and his family of 70 left Palestine because of famine and traveled to Egypt and lived in the land of Goshen. Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, was the Prime Minister of Egypt. However, after Joseph died and was buried, the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites in fear of their rapidly growing population. After some 400 years, it was time for God to send them a deliverer.
When Moses stood before God at the burning bush, the Lord told him He was sending him to Pharaoh to bring the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Moses asked God what name he should call Him when talking to the Israelites.
14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."" (Ex. 3:14)
God was referring to Himself as the eternal I AM. He is the eternal present. He has always existed and will always exist. Only God can make that claim. For a mere human to falsely make that claim would be blasphemy.
"Before Abraham was, I AM"
Now let us fast forward to the New Testament during Jesus" earthly ministry. Jesus had many disagreements with the Jews and the Jewish religious leaders consisting of the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. During one such disagreement, Jesus said the following:
51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." 52 Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say,
"If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death." 53 Are You gre