It is no wonder Moses "turned aside to see this great sight." After spending forty years in a relatively mundane lifestyle as a shepherd, here was something quite out of the ordinary that captivated his attention. According to the Biblical record given in Exodus chapter three, there in the desert was a burning thorn bush that did not succumb to the flames! As Moses was likely scratching his head in wonderment, God called him by name from the midst of the bush, "Moses, Moses."

In the conversation that followed, the LORD revealed to Moses that He had "come down to deliver" the Israelites out of their cruel bondage in the land of Egypt, and that He had selected Moses as the one to accomplish this deliverance. Upon hearing this, no doubt the significance of the bush burning, yet not being consumed, became clear to Moses. Perhaps his mind recalled the ill-fated attempt he had made to deliver his brethren forty years prior. But over those years as he cared for Jethro's sheep, Moses learned the lessons necessary for such a task.

Now prepared by God with a shepherd's heart, he recognized his besieged people in Egypt's furnace of fire as the burning bush, yet withal sustained by the holy One revealed to him as "the God of thy father." But Moses knew that the Israelites had given themselves to idolatry while in Egypt; indeed, they were a thorn bush, sinners unfit for God's presence. Perhaps Moses doubted that after 430 years in Egypt his people would even remember the God of their fathers.

Thus Moses responds by saying to the God of the burning bush, "When I come to the children of Israel and say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you" to deliver you, they will ask, "What is His name? What shall I say unto them?" The profound answer he received proved to be the fullest revelation of deity possible: "I AM THAT I AM." In this personal Name, Jehovah is made known as the eternal, unchanging, self-existent One, sufficient to meet every need of man. To Moses, to the children of Israel, and to us, this holy God seen in the flame of fire was saying that in grace He would redeem sinners and dwell among them. The I AM God is thus the God of salvation, "come down to deliver."

On the strength of this Name, Moses and his brother Aaron went to the people, and with the power entrusted to them from the I AM, brought Israel out of Egypt into relationship with the God of their fathers. Every step of the way, Jehovah revealed Himself as the I AM, fully able to supply every need of their journey. This same One, the great I AM, has "come down" to earth and at Calvary's Cross has shown Himself to be the Deliverer from sin's bondage. We desire that the reader will also turn aside to see this "Great Sight," and come to know the I AM personally.