As I was reading Exodus 3:14, it struck me how strange it was for God to present Himself as "EHYEH ASHER EHYEH" in the Hebrew text. This is a future tense structure, not a present tense.
Those words were calling to me. It was as if the Holy Spirit was highlighting them, for me to look into and ask God about this!
"Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh" is often translated in Christian Bibles either as “I am that I am” or as “I am who I am” and in Jewish Bibles as "I am that I am" (JPS). But the Hebrew text actually reads, “I will be what/that I will be.”
The verb Ehyeh appears 55 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Only in Exodus 3:14 is it translated as "I AM". Everywhere else in the Bible, it is translated as either "I will be" or "will I be?" In Hebrew, the present tense looks different.
"I AM" really matches my understanding of God; so, why did God have the future-tense recorded in His Word???
"I AM" really matches my understanding of God; so, why did God have the future-tense recorded in His Word???
Now, I really wanted to find out what God wanted to speak to my spirit about this name.
"To all who are still in bondage in your world, who are slaves to sin and who desire to be free, you must freely and boldly proclaim all that I will be to them, because I will be what I will be to deliver them, establish them in a new life in the Kingdom of Light in Christ Jesus, and bring them into their calling and destiny, just like I did back then for the children of Israel.
Joy:
“My Lord, my God, what do you want to tell me today about Your name Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh?"
God:
“The children of Jacob did not know who I was or what I was capable of because I had been silent during their time of slavery in Egypt. 'I will be what I will be' or 'I will be that which I will be,' is a title-name. It is more of a title than a name. By this title-name, I am sending the children of Israel this message: 'Even though you did not know Me in your lifetime, and you still do not know Me now, you will yet come to experience Me through ALL that I WILL BE as I deliver you and lead you into a new land and life, and as I take care of your needs along the way. You will see that I will be all that is needed to set you free from slavery and bring you into a land of freedom and plenty: I will be your mighty deliverer, I will be your champion, I will be your protection, I will be your provider, I will be your shade cloud by day, I will be your camp fire by night, I will be your guide, I will be your defender, I will be your teacher, I will be your healer, I will be your covenant partner, I will be your victory in battle, I will be your King, I will be your blessing, I will be your praise, I will be your God.'
"The reason for 'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' (future tense) is because I am presenting Myself to humans that live a dimension of time. 'I AM' always, because in heaven there is no dimension of time; there is no past, present, or future--everything is Now. By My title-name I am letting mankind know that I will gradually prove Myself to ALL who put their trust in Me as we face together the challenges in their lives and in their future. My benefits are only for those who enter into a covenant relationship with Me. Every person falls into this category. So the focus of this title-name is looking into the future, from your perspective of time. By this title, 'Ehyeh', I am giving My solid assurance that I will be right there with anyone who invites Me into their lives. And in this manner, I will yet make Myself known to them as all that I fully AM: YHVH Yireh (Yahweh Who Provides), YHVH Shammah (Yahweh Who is There with you), YHVH Rophe (Yahweh Who Heals), and so on. 'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' covers ALL that I AM and will continue to be throughout your lifetime; it is My core identity.
"Joy, this title-name is important for people in every generation because it is My name of promise and it reveals my will, plan, and my covenant to always be present in your lives and to always make all things work together for the good of those who love Me and have become My people. There is no need for any of you who are Mine to worry about the present or the future because I AM with you--all you need is Me. Study My word daily, ask for what you need, and then just trust Me and walk in My ways.
"Most people on earth are living a life of bondage and I want to deliver them because I have already paid the price for their freedom. But they do not know Me and have not yet experienced Me.
"To all who are still in bondage in your world, who are slaves to sin and who desire to be free, you must freely and boldly proclaim all that I will be to them, because I will be what I will be to deliver them, establish them in a new life in the Kingdom of Light in Christ Jesus, and bring them into their calling and destiny, just like I did back then for the children of Israel.
"This is My heart for every human being. And you who know Me, do well to remember that I AM ever present with you and that I AM your Everything as you go through life's storms. Even when things seem to be going wrong, I AM there. Do not worry, do not complain, and do not despair. Live My word and walk by faith. I do miracles, I can even bring new life into a dead situation. Always wait upon Me, be patient, hopeful, and expectant; and I will make a way where there is no way.”
Joy:
“Thank you, Father. I will. That is beautiful. And thank you for caring so much for mankind.”
