“I AM the Lord”

Russ Bowman presented a powerful lesson Tuesday morning at the Southside Lectures entitled “I AM the Lord.”

This expression is found 165 times in the Old Testament Scriptures. 45 times in Leviticus. “Lord” is the English translation of the Hebrew word that refers to Yahweh, often translated as Jehovah.

Russ recounted the history of Israel from the time of Joseph when he brought his family to Egypt during the famine, to the period of Egyptian bondage, to Moses’ call and subsequent exodus from Egypt. It was pointed out that approximately 400 years had elapsed and Israel had been impacted and influenced by the culture of Egypt.

From Moses’ commission to tell the Israelites that he was sent by Jehovah to the instructions given to guide the people, God is impressing upon them who He is.

When you read Leviticus 18 and 19, you are struck by the emphasis given by God as He issues various commands. Each of them were either preceded or succeeded by the statement, “I Am the Lord.” which is found 25 times in these two chapters.

These two chapters detail God’s instructions, commandments and prohibitions. They convey His Word in these areas:

• Sexual purity
• Modesty
• Homosexuality
• Bestiality
• Idolatry
• Worship
• Sacrifices
• Benevolence
• Honesty
• Swearing
• Profaning God’s name
• Justice
• Love
• Holiness
• Witchcraft

This section closes with Jehovah saying, “Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:37).

As Russ observed God has provided us this history with a purpose. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4).

“I AM the Lord,” not only speaks to God’s identity, but His authority. Israel was to behave differently from the pagan nations because they belonged to the Lord. And because the Lord said so.

When you consider the corruption of our culture today with all of its perversion, ungodliness, and bizarre lifestyles, we are also challenged to be different. Set apart. And holy. Because we belong to the Lord.

Russ observed that “God’s identity is expressed in His holiness.” And those of us who belong to Him ought to find our identity in that holiness. To Israel He commanded, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). Likewise, to New Testament Christians Peter penned: “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet. 1:15-16).

Understanding this statement, “I AM the Lord” compels us to submit to His will. To trust Him. Respect Him. And to obey because of who He is. And because He said so.

This attitude will find its application of Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:1-2.

“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity” (J.B. Phillips translation)

When you face a difficult command in the Bible, allow these words to ring in your ears–”I AM the Lord.”

When the world tries to squeeze you into its own mold remember you belong to him who said “I am the Lord.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman