אבנימ

Some Reflections on the Memorial-Name of God.

EGO EIMI (ἐγώ εἰμί) is the Greek rendering of the divine name Yahweh. When God declares His name in Exodus 2.23-3.15 he says I AM, and when others refer to Him, they say HE IS. This is the literal meaning of Yahweh. In Hebrew it is both present (HE IS) and future (HE WILL BE) tense. This shows that His covenant is now and forever.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME as revealed in Exodus 2.23-3.15.
His people are in great need.
They 1) sigh, 2) cry out, 3) cry for help and 4) groan. 2.23-24.

God is touched with His people’s distress.

He 1) hears, 2) remembers, 3) sees and 4) knows. 2.24-25, 3.6-7.

God in compassion and condescension commits to His people:

He will come down to deliver. 3.8

He will be with them. 3.12.

In this situation I AM is the memorial-name God gives to His people to confirm His covenant. 3.13-15.

JESUS, “Yahweh saves” (Mt.1.21), is the full and final expression of God’s covenant name (Jn.17.25-26).

He comes down to deliver (Jn.1.14)
He promises to be with us (Jn.14.18).

USAGE IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

• 4.26 – “I who speak to you AM HE” (the Messiah)
• 6.20 – “do not be afraid, IT IS I.” (coming to rescue the perishing)
• 6.35, 48 – “I AM the Bread of Life.”
• 6.41 – “I AM the Bread which came down from Heaven.”
• 6.51 – “I AM the Living Bread which came down from Heaven.”
• 8.12, 9.5 – “I AM the Light of the world.”
• 8.24 – “unless you believe the I AM HE, you will die in your sins”
• 8.28 – “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM HE.”
• 8.58 – “Before Abraham was, I AM”
• 10.7, 9 – “I AM the door of the sheep.”
• 11,25 – “I AM the resurrection and the life.”
• 14.3 – “…that where I AM there you may be also…”
• 14.6 – “I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life…”
• 15.1,5 – “I AM the True Vine.”
• 18.5,6 – “He said to them I AM HE” (they drew back and fell to the ground)