Since many counselees evidence uncertainty and unclarity about their significance, a timely, insightful homework assignment for them is to study and make a list of identity statements from the Word of God. Though we often derive our worth in this world, scripture elevates us to an entirely different esteem with eternal value. Despite our credentials, degrees, and horizontal achievements, of far more exceeding worth are our riches in Christ. To instruct us in our right standing in Christ, Ephesians 1-3 reveals a voluminous list of “I am” statements to illuminate who we truly are as followers of Christ such as blessed (1:2), chosen (1:4), adopted (1:5), accepted (1:6), forgiven (1:7).

These positional statements provide a more accurate view of ourselves, in contrast to the descriptors this world assigns us (e.g. extrovert, perfectionist, first-born, free-spirited). What’s more, these “I am” statements remain eternal and settled unlike the earthly views that vacillate over time.

One Giant Step Further

However, while it is fruitful to consider these “identity statements,” we cannot stop here and neglect a deeper foundational truth. “Who I am” best follows “Who God is.” An accurate assessment of His identity precedes an accurate assessment of our own identity. In other words, if we get God wrong, we will get ourselves wrong; conversely, if we get God right, we will get ourselves right. In the beginning, Satan tempted Eve by questioning God. His ploy was to distort the existence of God and thereby, distort Eve’s assessment of herself (and her situation).

In Exodus 3, Moses poses a rather straightforward question: “Who am I” (3:1)? Remarkably, God never answers that question; instead, He makes this simple yet profound declaration to Moses: “I am Who” (3:14). Why? We can conclude that the identity of God always precedes the identity of man! Our understanding of who man is must follow our understanding of who God is!

In this burning bush narrative, God paints a vivid portrait of divinity to Moses that this nomad of a shepherd leading sheep would need to lead the nomadic nation of Israel out of Egypt. Before Moses could be a godly leader, he needed to better know the God of all leaders. Before our counselees can triumphantly walk through their difficulty, they need to see more clearly the God over their difficulty. The burning bush reminds us that God is even in the midst of our difficulty.

A Divine Portrait

God is Omnipotent

It is but a trivial thing for God to settle in a burning bush (3:2), let alone to fuel this burning bush without any surrounding power supply. That the bush burns but does not deteriorate, points to God as the supreme energy source. That this bush was but a mere pintsized thorn bush, is nothing for the all-powerful One.

God is Holy

As Moses turns aside and approaches the bush, God instructs him to do one thing: “Take off the sandals from your feet” (3:5). How odd this might seem, since such a request would occur upon entering a residence and yet, here is Moses, outside in a desert! But the ground Moses looks to step on is holy, because Moses stands in the presence of the most holy One. Holiness is not simply the absence of all evil, but the presence of all rightness. This holy God hates sin and stands apart from His creation.

God is Eternal

Rather quickly into this scenario, God identifies Himself as “I am” (3:6). From Abraham to Isaac to Jacob, God remains who He is, with no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). He has no beginning and no ending, for He simply is! The past, present and future all converge in God who has always existed and always will.

God is Omniscient

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” introduces the Star Wars movies, but this description certainly does not properly introduce us to a God who is not distant or out of touch, but in touch with His creation. God informs Moses that He has seen the oppression of His people and heard their cry (3:7). This is the God who never needs an update from someone in His cabinet of advisors. Our all-wise God has perfect, complete knowledge of every detail of our lives.

God is Merciful

Are we not glad that we do not receive all the consequences for our poor choices in this life? Instead, often God spares us from many adverse outcomes, as He compassionately withholds what we deserve. As God continues communicating with Moses, He informs Moses of His plan: to deliver the Israelites from the hand of the Egyptians (3:8a). Though deserving of this outcome for their neglect and rebellion toward the Most High, God will now remove them from their bondage in the days to come. This is truly mercy!

God is Gracious

Not only does He withhold what we do deserve, God gives us what we do not deserve. Removing His people from oppression is only one side of the coin; the other side is to bring these Israelites into a new land, flowing with milk and honey (3:8b). Although His people are undeserving of such deliverance into a rich territory; God extends grace and will bring them into the land of promise.

God is Omnipresent

The Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell the people of God in the Old Testament; instead, the Spirit came and went as He pleased. What a heaping dose of assurance God speaks to Moses: I will certainly be with you” (3:12). The all-present God will be all-present with Moses and His people. He will be with them to accompany them every step of the way, whether by a light at night or a cloud by day.

Other attributes of God (e.g. loving in 3:16; sovereign in 3:20) paint a fuller picture of God to Moses. This monumental encounter with divinity provides a more accurate view of the Most High, one that Moses would need to see himself and his life accurately, in order to accomplish the task God had appointed for him in delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

No Other Gods

In conclusion, before we can ever see ourselves rightly, we need to see God rightly. Before we understand our identity accurately, we must comprehend His identity accurately. If we get God wrong, we will get ourselves wrong and our life wrong. No wonder the very first of the Ten Commandments declares: You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). A wrong view of God leads to the creation and worship of false gods. It is no coincidence that the other nine commandments flow from a violation of this first one.

As Moses discovered long ago, before he rightly understands “Who am I?”, he must first understand the “I am Who!” The “I am” statements of Ephesians 1-3 will have limited value unless they are rooted in the One who is the “I am”! May we remind our hurting, perplexed counselees of these divine attributes in order to see God more accurately, or to guide them to reinsert God in the equation of their life.

Further Reflection

1. What labels do many of our counselees arrive with? How healthy or accurate are such descriptors for them? For you?

• The “I am” statements of Ephesians 1-3 help our counselees to see who they are in Christ. But how might we have made this assignment about our identity more important than God’s identity?

• We must encourage our counselees to attend churches with good theology, since an accurate view of God guides us to an accurate view of ourselves. How often do we challenge our counselees about the soundness of the teaching they receive in their churches? Why not?