Holy GroundSample

Day 3) Who Is God?

Five Mysterious Characteristics Of God

1) He Can Be Known Without Being Fully Understood

“God replied to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’” (Ex. 3:14)

Naturally, Moses asks God how he should respond when he is asked who sent him. God’s response seems incredibly vague on the surface, but it holds tremendous meaning. While there are many layers to it, one interpretation of His declaration as “I AM” means that there is no one else who can define Him. He is above all, and the majesty of who He is cannot be contained by mere human description. Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus mirrors this self-identification by describing Himself using seven different “I Am” statements spread throughout the book. Even though we don’t fully understand every aspect of God’s character, He still invites us to have a relationship with Him!

2) He Exists Outside Of Time, Yet Works Through Generations

“God also said to Moses, ‘Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.’” (Ex. 3:15)

God is not limited to humanity’s definitions of time and space. He has existed since before the beginning of time, yet He chooses to move in specific ways through specific people at specific moments in history. Your decision to obey God today can have a tremendous impact on the generations that come after you!

3) He Accomplishes Perfect Plans Through Imperfect People

“Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me...” (Ex. 3:16a)

We have already discussed the significant shortcomings of Moses, but sin was prevalent in the lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as well. Their laundry list of mistakes is long, but some highlights include: Abraham deciding to sleep with his maidservant rather than trusting God to give him a child through his wife; Isaac misrepresenting his wife Rebekah as his sister out of fear for his life; and Jacob’s very name meaning “supplanter,” because he tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing that was rightly due to his brother Esau. Despite the dysfunction in this family tree, these three men are the primary patriarchs of the Israelites, and Jesus would ultimately be born through the line of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel!

4) He Often Conquers Through His People, Not Just For Them

“And I have promised you that I will bring you up from the misery of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites” (Ex. 3:17a)

Have you ever asked yourself why God doesn’t simply remove the enemies His people face? Each of these people groups would play a role in resisting Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land. God does indeed help them overcome these enemies, but it is done in collaboration with their obedience. Often, the greatest periods of growth and strengthening we experience in life come when God allows us to go through a trial rather than avoid it altogether.

5) He Knows Our Heart And Still Gives Us A Chance

“However, I know that the king of Egypt [Pharaoh] will not allow you to go, even under force from a strong hand.” (Ex. 3:19)

Before God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, He knew that Moses would be hesitant. Before Moses approached Pharaoh declaring that the Hebrews must be set free, God knew that Pharaoh would refuse the request. Amazingly, God knows the heart of every human on earth, yet He still gives each of us a chance to surrender to Him. He knows you, and He still loves you!

Big Idea: God is far beyond our understanding, yet He chooses to reveal Himself and work through ordinary, imperfect people across generations. Even in our weakness, He leads us into battles that refine us and position us to be His ambassadors to a broken world!

Let’s Think About This:

Question 1) He Is God, I Am Not: God’s self-identification as “I AM” is certainly powerful, but it can also raise many questions. Can you think of a time when you had to trust God, even when you didn’t fully understand Him or what He was doing?

Question 2) He Is Never Late: When God first promised Abraham that He would create a great nation through his lineage, He was already aware of what would take place generations later. Can you think of anything in your family history that has influenced your current situation? How would you like to make an impact on your great-great-grandchildren, should you have any?

Question 3) Can He Really Use Me?: Despite the sins of Moses and those God surrounded him with, He still worked through him to accomplish His plans. What are some things God has placed on your heart that you would like to see Him do through you?

Question 4) Growth Through Struggle: Throughout Scripture, in His sovereignty, God continually led His people to conquer their enemies rather than instantaneously removing them Himself. What is an obstacle from the enemy you’re facing in your life, and what steps can you take to experience God’s freedom?

Question 5) Undeserved Mercy: Even though He knew what Pharaoh would do, God still gave him a chance. What is the significance of this for you in your own life?