We’re on to the last series of 2024. We’re preparing to change into a new year full of hope, fear, and opportunity. Was 2024 the year that you needed? Will 2025 be the year you want? To become who God created us to be requires change. Changing who we interact with, what we engage with, and how we think. Because change is uncomfortable, we often make excuses.

This series is about a key Israelite who made excuses to God, asking God to give his command to someone else. Yet, God met all these excuses with a love that surpasses understanding, a confidence that reassures, and an encouragement that uplifts. Our new series is called “Moses, the Imposter.” We’re diving into Exodus 3:11-4:17 to discuss the excuses that Moses feels he cannot do what God has called him to do. My goal for this series is for you to know that whatever excuse you give to God, God meets it with a compassion that soothes and an encouragement that strengthens.

In Part 1, we examine Moses’s question, “Who am I?” Who is he to go before Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

Exodus 3:11-12

NASB	NLT	VOICE
11 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?”	11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”	11 Who am I to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel’s children out of Egypt?
12 And He said, “Assuredly 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.”	12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”	12 Do not fear, Moses I will be with you every step of the way, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who has sent you: after you have led them out of Egypt, you will return to this mountain and worship God.

I don’t have any study notes for this passage. Usually, this takes me down the word study path. I want to dig deeper into Moses’ phrase, “Who am I…”

“Who” is the Hebrew pronoun mi (mee). This word is used to ask questions about identity. This is often used in rhetorical questions to highlight the uniqueness/greatness of God. Its historical and cultural context engages people to think deeply about people’s identity and nature, especially with God.

“Am I” is the Hebrew pronoun anoki (aw-no-kee’). This word isused to emphasize the speaker’s identity or role. It’s used when God declares his identity, presence, or actions, emphasizing His personal involvement and authority. It’s used to communicate covenantal and legal contexts in its historical and cultural contexts, especially in Hebrew Scriptures when it describes God’s personal relationship with Israel. It conveys intimacy, authority, and the personal nature of God’s interactions with humanity, making us feel valued and significant in His eyes.

Moses is questioning his identity here. The first excuse he comes in with is questioning his significance and role. Asking how he, so small and weak, can do what God, so big and strong, asks. It’s a question he’s battled for most of his life (read through Exodus 1-3:10) and now has brought before God. What would Moses’ role be in his relationship with God, and how can he keep his covenantal promises?

God gives two things to answer his identity question:

• God will be with him.
• Moses’ sign that God sent him is a prophecy: “When you’ve brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”

That mountain is Mt. Sinai, the very place where he received the Ten Commandments for the Israelite nation.

Let’s look at God’s response deeper: “I will surely be with you.”

“I will surely” is the Hebrew conjunction ki (kee). It’s an introduction clause that can explain reason and affirm and emphasize a statement. Overall, it is used to convey relationships.

“Be” is the Hebrew verb hayah (haw-yaw). It conveys the idea of existence, occurrence, or coming into being. It’s often used in the context of God’s self-revelation. It reflects the active presence and involvement of God in the world. It emphasizes his eternal, self-existent nature that distinguishes him from the gods of surrounding nations.

“With you” is the Hebrew preposition eem (eem). It’s used to denote association, companionship, or presence. It’s used to express relationships, alliances, or the presence of God with His people. Its context implied physical presence, support, alliance, and shared purpose.

Let’s put it all together. God explains who Moses is. He affirms that He will be with Moses to show the world who God is. Moses will stand out amongst the rest of the world, which will help stand up against Pharoah. God emphasizes that Moses will not be alone in this process. God will be there to support him, both physically and spiritually. It means God will put people in our path when walking through a chaotic part of life. It means that God will instill confidence and encouragement to do the hard thing. Moses will stand out from the rest of the Israelites and those before Pharaoh. Moses will have a new tone, a new aura, a new attitude, and a new way to go through life.

“Who am I?” Moses asked. “I am with God.” That is his identity. This is his new foundation and outlook on life. I am with God in going before Pharaoh. I am with God in rescuing the Israelites. I am with God in all his plans for me. I am with God. Granted, this probably freaked Moses out. This whole conversation started at a desert bush that spontaneously combusted into flames. Still, it set him forward (knowing the end of the story) to do the will of God. Was he perfect? No, but he was with God. Did he get angry? Yes, and he was still with God. Did he get anxious? Yes. Did he get overwhelmed? Yes. At the end of the day, he was still with God.

As we transition into 2025, we ask ourselves and pray about who we want to be. We start by stating, “I am with God. “

In Part 2, we’ll dig into the next excuse of Moses: “Who do I say sent me?”

Until next time, stay blessed!

Associated Scripture

• Exodus 4:10
• Exodus 4:12
• Exodus 6:12
• Exodus 19:2
• Acts 7:7