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Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? Psalms 139:7
In this Psalm in which David is meditating on the pervasive knowledge of God and the wisdom of his sovereign plans for his image bearers, David asks the rhetorical question: "Where shall I flee from your presence?"
The answer, David knows, is rooted in the revelation of God's own name. This revelation is first discovered in his encounters with the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), as found in the book of Genesis, and then is defined in his deliverance and redemption of Israel as found in the first 15 chapters of Exodus.
When, at the burning bush, God called Moses to be his vehicle to deliver Israel from their bondage in Egypt (see Exodus 3) he answered Moses' objections with the promise that "I will certainly be with you" and then explained the significance of his name, a name that Israel would have known from the legacy of the patriarchs.
Moses' objection was, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" (Exodus 3:13)
God's answer is at first glance puzzling, but also instructive. He tells Moses: "I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14)
God further told Moses that he was to say to the people of Israel: "'The LORD (God's name translated), the God of your fathers... has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations." (Exodus 3:15)
Bear with me for a little Hebrew grammar. The verb in verse 14 is the first person singular of the same verb used in verse 12 where God said, "I will certainly be with you."
When God used this verb to express his name, he used this form saying, "I am." When his people refer to him as Yahweh (the third person singular form of the same verb) they say "he is." (Yahweh is God's Hebrew name spelled phonetically with English letters).
The idea of the verb indicates that God, who is not bound by time, is present ("I am") and will always be present. His presence guarantees the fulfillment of his promises. (Notes from the NET Bible)
Moses, in essence, said, "I can't do this." Yahweh responded, "You're not, I am." It makes little difference who the servant is or what that servant's abilities might be, if God is present.
After suffering under bondage to Egypt for possibly hundreds of years, one could hardly fault Israel for wondering if God cared, or even was aware.
However, the author of Exodus repeatedly makes clear that he did, and he was. In chapter two he explained that God heard their groaning, and remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.
God saw the people of Israel--and God knew. (Exodus 2:24-25)
God was in fact acting to fulfill his promises (remembering his covenant). In chapter three, at the burning bush, he told Moses that he had seen the affliction of his people and had heard their cry. He knew their sufferings, and had come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to the land he had promised to their forefathers. (Exodus 3:7-8) This is the mission for which he called Moses.
In chapter six God reassured Moses and, through him, Israel that, "I am the LORD." He reminded them that he had established his covenant with the patriarchs to give them the land to which he would take Israel. He also reiterated that he had heard the groaning of the people of Israel and had remembered his covenant. Therefore he would deliver them from slavery to the Egyptians, and would redeem them with great power and acts of judgment. (Exodus 6:2-7)
R. Alan Cole, in his commentary on Exodus, explained, "The revelation of the name is a call to the response of faith by Moses and by Israel." It is likewise a call to faith by you.
Contrary to the opinions of some, God is indeed present in this world which he created. He is actively engaged in bringing his plans to completion, thus fulfilling his promises.
His actions in delivering and redeeming Israel showed that, true to his name, He is (present). This is especially true for those he has redeemed as he has sent his Spirit to dwell within them. Therefore, in whatever circumstance you may find yourself today, be encouraged. God is present. He is working to fulfill his promises. He is!
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Pastor Doug Packard of First Baptist Church, Lock Haven.