Who Me...? Who Am I?

"But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” And He said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.” Exodus 3:11-12 (NASB)

Exodus chapter 3 begins with Moses pasturing the flock of his father-in-law Jethro.  Moses is then faced with a command from God to go to Egypt to deliver the children of Israel from the Egyptians.  This command leads to Moses questioning many things.  In verses 11 and 12, we see a few things that are present.  Moses, in his fear, believes that he alone will carry out the plans of God without the help and strength of the Lord.  We see this by his response when he asked God, "Who am I, that I should...".

We can relate to Moses' response, his fear, and his lack of faith, as we go through life without prayerfully seeking the help, strength, guidance, and direction of God.  We must have the assurance, as uncertain as we feel, that He can and will be a present help when He calls us to do His will, as well as in our times of need.  Moses' response revealed that he questioned God's decision in choosing him, as well as God's chosen plan for delivering the children of Israel.  If God, in His infinite wisdom, chose Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, God's plans are perfect and infallible and we as His children must trust those plans even when we don't understand them.

Moses' fear also resulted in Moses focusing on the reputation of Pharaoh and magnifying the greatness of Pharaoh rather than the unfailing reputation and matchless greatness of God.  So many times in life we think that challenges are insurmountable and too overwhelming to overcome.  This is followed with the temptation to disobey God and rationalize why we should do so.  In those times, we are most vulnerable to trust in our own wisdom, trust our feelings, and follow what feels most familiar and most comfortable.  We should believe and trust God by focusing on what God said to Moses when He promised, "Certainly I will be with you...".

We also see that Moses' fear led to concerns about his ability rather than the need to deliver the children of Israel.  God was so gracious and merciful as He brought Moses' focus back to Him by reminding Moses of who He is and that Moses was to relay this matchless omnipotence of God to Pharaoh by saying, "I AM has sent me to you."  "I AM" means that God is THE Creator and THE Sustainer and He alone causes things to be!  He has no beginning and He has no end because He is eternal!  He is "I AM WHO I AM."  God knew Moses was not only fearful of the response of Pharaoh, but of the children of Israel as well.  Moses did not believe the children of Israel would believe him, nor was Moses comfortable with his speech or ability to communicate.  This fear led him to lose sight of the mission God had, which was to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt to worship God at the mountain.  God once again, brings Moses' focus back to His omnipotence by reminding Moses, that He is the all powerful one, not Moses or Pharaoh and that He will give him the words to speak (Exodus 4:11, 12).  Yet Moses, still doubted and his brother Aaron became the spokesperson, so that the children of Israel would be delivered from Egypt. 

Very often, we can relate to the fears that Moses displayed and we will shy away from what God tells us to do.  What is it that God is urging you to do? What God-given gift or talent are you fearful in using to glorify God, point others to Christ, and minister deliverance, peace, encouragement, and comfort to others?  The next time you are faced with the fear to do the will of God, instead of asking, "Who am I?" focus on who God says He is..."I AM WHO I AM."