God will send Moses to Pharaoh, but Pharaoh will not let the people go until God strikes Egypt with all the miracles He shall do in the midst of the land. God makes this known up front. He knows the process, and He knows the outcome.

Moses asks two questions of God here at the bush. 1) He asks God who he is that he should go to Pharaoh—a question I believe reflects the humility that Moses has learned after being renounced as a prince of Egypt and having served as a lowly shepherd. God answers, “I will be with you.” Moses will not return to Egypt on his own authority but on God’s because God is with Him. 2) He asks what name he should give the elders of Israel so that they may believe he is actually sent. God answers, “I AM WHO I AM.” I AM is God’s name forever, and He is known to the nations as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The name, IAM, reflects God’s timelessness and ever-presence. As people, we are because we were born. As God, the I AM simply is.

The journey ahead will be difficult for Moses and Israel. God gives these comforting words, promising that Israel will come out of Egypt having plundered the Egyptians—they will leave wealthy because they shall find favor in the eyes of the Egyptians (though not of Pharaoh). God is the one who will grant them favor in the eyes of the Egyptians.

When it comes to favor, it is granted by God. Human interests and favor are often fickle. We don’t really know what we want, and when we receive what we want it doesn’t often please us. So, God grants favor—He is lord even over that in His perfect timing. Speaking from personal experience, I have often been discouraged because someone doesn’t look favorably upon me. Reading God’s promise, here, I find great encouragement. God grants favor in His timing. I can trust He will if it is His plan. He already loves and accepts me. I will serve Him. I will wait on Him.