Great I AMSample

Yahweh Great I AM

One of the key features of the apostle Paul’s theology and the early church, revealed in Paul’s letters, was the identification of Jesus Christ with Yahweh, Israel’s covenant God in the Old Testament. The early church understood this, not in terms of a departure from Israel’s faith, but rather as the fulfillment of Israel’s faith, found in their Messiah, Jesus Christ.

In the Christ hymn of Philippians 2:6-11, the Apostle concludes the hymn with a direct quote from Isaiah 45:23. Here, the prophet reveals the uniqueness of Yahweh and his redemptive work. In the Christ hymn, Paul boldly identifies, considering it nothing to exchange the name Yahweh (Is. 45:23) for Jesus Christ (2:11). At a surface level, it looks like Paul simply switched out the name Yahweh for Jesus Christ to “Christianise” the Old Testament. However, at a deeper theological level, Paul reveals that this exchange of names was not his idea, but God the Father’s idea. He highlights that this exchange does not compromise Israel’s monotheism, nor contradict the ancient faith; Paul reveals the divine identity that Jesus Christ bears the name of the one Lord “to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:11)

Further, the worship song highlights Yahweh’s self-revelation recorded in Exodus 3:14, where he reveals himself to Moses as “I am who I am”. There is no mistake in John’s gospel that Jesus reveals his divine identity seven times commencing with the powerful name “I am”: the bread of life (6:35), the light of the world (8:12), the gate (for the sheep) (10:7), the good shepherd (10:11), the resurrection and the life (11:25), the way, the-truth and the life (14:6), and the true vine (15:1). Each revelation is not simply a metaphor describing a feature of Jesus’ ministry but serves as an echo of Ex.3:14 and a revelation that Jesus Christ was both Messiah and the very embodiment of Yahweh’s presence among his people.

We can passionately worship Yahweh in our Christian songs because the God who revealed himself as the great “I AM” is revealed in Jesus Christ. When we sing “Yahweh the Great I AM” we declare that the God of Israel revealed in the Old Testament has made himself known in Jesus Christ. Like Paul and John, who identify Jesus Christ with/as Yahweh, our worship too connects the ancient name with our risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Great “I AM”.

Scriptural Reflections: Yahweh and Jesus

As you consider some of these OT references used in the New Testament, why don’t you reflect on the seven “I am’s” in John, mentioned above, and see if you can connect them with the Old Testament story. For example, I am the bread of life (Jn. 6:35)—Manna from heaven (Ex. 16).

Written by Dr. Lee Burns

Executive Vice President, Hillsong College