with the context, the story of the
burning bush, but if you're anything
like me you might not have noticed
how it addresses this fundamental
inquiry. As soon as God asked Moses
to return to Egypt, Moses replied,
"Who am I that I should go to
Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out
of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). Who am I?
It wasn't a matter of self-esteem or
identity. It was a simple realization
that the task at hand completely
surpassed the qualifi cations of the
one being called.
he was His workmanship. He could
have told him how all the experi-
ences in his life up to that point were
preparing him for that moment. Or
He could have just as easily an-
swered with the more unsightly
parts of Moses' character: murderer,
one to fl ee when times got tough, a
leader of nothing but sheep. But He
will be with you" (Exodus 3:12).
of Moses' qualifi cations to one of who
would accompany him. My heart
goes out to Moses. Here he was,
called to one of the greatest chal-
lenges in history, but looking at his
ineptitude. And God seemed to
much confi dence, does it?
never asked and probably not even
considered. You see, the real issue at
hand wasn't about the capacity of
the person being sent. It had nothing
to do with Moses and everything to
do with the one calling him, the very
One who promised to go with him.
you'll go with me, but who are you?"
Of course he asked more tactfully:
"Moses said to God, `Suppose I go to
the Israelites and say to them, `The
God of your fathers has sent me to
you,' and they ask me, `What is his
name?' Then what shall I tell them?'
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'" (Exodus 3:13-14).
labels we have. I AM. English
professors would balk over that