“I Am That I Am” is a declaration made by God in Exodus 3:14 when speaking to Moses. It signifies God’s eternal, unchanging nature and His self-existence, emphasizing that He is the ultimate reality and source of all being.
Scripture
13 Then Moses said to God, “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?”
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
“I Am That I Am” in the Bible
The phrase “I Am That I Am” (Hebrew: Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh) appears in Exodus 3:14 when God reveals Himself to Moses as he prepares to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This declaration is both profound and multilayered, indicating God’s eternal self-sufficiency and unbounded existence. By stating “I Am,” God affirms His existence in the present tense—highlighting that He is not confined by past or future. This assertion emphasizes God’s transcendence and sovereignty; He is the origin of all life and reality, without dependence on anything outside of Himself. In John 8:58, Jesus amplifies this understanding of God’s nature when He declares, “Before Abraham was, I am,” linking His identity to the divine essence revealed to Moses and establishing His eternal and unchangeable existence.
The theological implications of “I Am That I Am” extend into the concept of covenant. In the ensuing verses, God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reinforcing His unwavering promise to His people (Exodus 3:6). This self-identification not only underscores God’s reliability and commitment to His covenant but also invites a relationship built on trust and faith. Throughout the Scriptures, this interplay between God’s name and His actions reveals the depths of His character—He is merciful, just, and ever-present. Consequently, the phrase serves as a foundational understanding of God’s identity and a source of comfort, reassuring believers of His constancy amid life’s uncertainties (Isaiah 41:10). Thus, “I Am That I Am” encapsulates the essence of God—eternal, powerful, and intimately involved in the lives of His people.
The declaration “I Am That I Am” serves as a pivotal understanding of the divine in the context of God’s relationship with humanity. Throughout Scripture, this assertion echoes in various ways, illustrating God’s consistent, all-encompassing presence and involvement in the world. For instance, in the Psalms, the reassurance of God’s nearness is often presented with the acknowledgment of His timeless and transcendent identity. The psalmist frequently reflects on God’s unwavering nature, portraying Him as both a refuge and strength, thus reinforcing the notion of God as continually present amid trials (Psalm 46:1).
Moreover, this theme resurfaces in the New Testament through various indicators of God’s continual provision and support for His people, seen through the life and ministry of Jesus. Believers are invited to recognize Jesus as the embodiment of God’s promise to be with them, resonating with the assertion of God’s nature. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Great Commission culminates with Jesus’ promise to His disciples, stating, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), thus echoing the original “I Am” proclamation. This continuity between the Old and New Testaments reveals an enduring truth about God’s character: His presence is not only eternal but also active, empowering His followers to walk in faith. Therefore, “I Am That I Am” emerges not only as a declaration of divine essence but also as an invitation to experience a life-changing relationship with the Divine that is characterized by intimacy, support, and unwavering promise.
Divine Self-Existence and Sovereignty
The phrase “I Am That I Am” signifies God’s self-existence and independence from all creation. It emphasizes that God is not defined by anything outside of Himself; rather, He is the ultimate source of being and existence. This declaration asserts that God is eternal, unchanging, and self-sufficient, highlighting His sovereignty over all things. It conveys the idea that God is the foundation of reality and that everything else derives its existence from Him.
The Nature of God’s Relationship with Humanity
This phrase also reflects the nature of God’s relationship with humanity. By identifying Himself in this way, God reveals His desire to be in a personal relationship with His people. It suggests that God is always present and accessible, affirming His commitment to guide, protect, and sustain those who seek Him. This relational aspect underscores the idea that God is not a distant deity but rather intimately involved in the lives of His creation.
The Assurance of God’s Promises
Furthermore, “I Am That I Am” serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and reliability. It assures believers that God is constant and unchanging, providing a foundation for trust in His promises. This declaration encourages individuals to rely on God’s character and His ability to fulfill His word, reinforcing the belief that He is always present to meet their needs and support them through life’s challenges.
How to Reflect God’s Identity in Daily Life
Reflecting God’s identity in our daily lives is a beautiful journey that begins with understanding who He is—loving, compassionate, just, and merciful. To embody these qualities, we can start by cultivating a heart of gratitude and humility, recognizing that every interaction is an opportunity to showcase His love. Simple acts of kindness, like offering a listening ear or helping someone in need, can be powerful reflections of His character. Additionally, immersing ourselves in Scripture allows us to internalize His teachings, guiding our thoughts and actions. Remember, it’s not about perfection but about progress; each day is a new chance to shine His light in the world. So, let’s strive to be vessels of His grace, allowing our words and deeds to mirror His identity, and in doing so, we not only grow closer to Him but also inspire others to seek His presence in their lives.
Bible References to “I Am That I Am”:
John 8:56-59: 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Isaiah 43:10-13: 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.”
11 I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and I am God.
13 Also henceforth I am he;
there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”
Revelation 1:8-11: 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.
11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
John 18:4-8: 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”
5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”
Isaiah 41:4-10: 4 Who has performed and done this,
calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, the first,
and with the last; I am he.
5 The coastlands have seen and are afraid;
the ends of the earth tremble;
they have drawn near and come.
6 Everyone helps his neighbor
and says to his brother, “Be strong!”
7 The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.
8 But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
John 14:6-11: 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
Colossians 1:15-20: 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Hebrews 13:8-9: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
Philippians 2:5-11: 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.