Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
2/23 Reading Portions: Exodus 6; Luke 9; Job 23; 1 Corinthians 10
Exodus 6:3
“I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them.”
WHO?
The patriarchs only knew God as “God Almighty” in their day, El Shaddai, in Hebrew. To them, God was the omnipotent One. His power was unequaled. Moses and Israel would know God heretofore as YHVH, or the “I AM,” since He revealed Himself in this way to Moses at the burning bush which was not consumed— “I AM WHO I AM,” YHVH told Moses (Ex 3:14). More than the all-powerful God, YHVH now revealed Himself as the Self-existent, Self-sufficient, Self-consistent, and unchanging God. Israel would need a glimpse of these attributes to live beneath the burden of the law received at Mount Sinai. We see in the Bible God revealing Himself little by little and more and more throughout the record of history. His greatest and grandest revelation of Himself came through His only begotten Son. He was named Y’shua, “Will-save,” because faith in Him “will save” His people from their sins (Matt 1:21). Y’shua, that is, Jesus, also revealed Himself in several other ways. He said, “I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35), indicating that, as God, He is our spiritual nourishment. Jesus said, “I Am the Light of the World” (John 8:12), presenting His work to illuminate unto us all God’s truth. Our Christ said, “I Am the Door” (John 10:9), signifying His protection for His people. The Lord said, “I Am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), expressing that He is our Guide and Overseer. The Lord Jesus told Martha, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25), communicating His power over death and His authority and ability to give eternal life. Jesus told the disciples, “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6), stating His exclusive role as the only path to the heavenly Father. Jesus Messiah also said, “I Am the True Vine” (John 15:1), conveying our need to abide in Him, to be united with Him, and to be fruitful for Him. As the Lord God revealed Himself in Scripture more and more through the ages, He also does the same for us individually, as we grow to know Jesus more and more, by grace through faith. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
