WHAT SHALL I SAY UNTO THEM

Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, what is His name? What shall I say unto them?

From the burning bush, God spoke to Moses while he was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father in law, in the desert near Mount Horeb. God had a great mission for Moses - to confront Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. At the very thought of this mission, Moses replied, who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? (Exodus 3:10). God'sanswer to Moses' question is found in Verse 12, certainly I will be with thee.

Moses then poses the question of the lesson text. When I say to the people of Israel that God has sent me to you, they will say, what is His name? What shall I say unto them? God's reply, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you (Verse 14). The title God chose for this particular mission was I AM, a title that basically means the Eternal One or the being that transcends the creation of all things to their destruction. It appears that only the Creator can be called I AM. All other beings were created after I AM existed. The indication was that, when Moses would tell the Israelites that I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that they will believe you and follow your leadership.

As a Christian, are we ever confronted with questions from others about our beliefs, our religion, or why we do the things we doin service to God and to our fellowman?Do we have answers? Or, like Moses, do we go to God and ask, What shall I say unto them?

One of the best methods of teaching others about God and the salvation He offers to His children through Jesus Christ, is having someone ask us a question. You don't have to be a great orator or a polished speaker to answer the spiritual questions of others. Peter tells us in his writings to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15). As a Christian, what is your hope? Isn't it the hope, after death, of the resurrection of the soul and spending eternity with God in heaven?

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, gave them, as well as us today, sound advice on how Christians should speak to others. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (Colossians 4:5-6). "Them that are without" represent non-Christians - those that may be searching for God and the meaning of life. It is to this group that Christians should be prepared to give answers to their questions. Of all those Christians that are prepared to give answer, it is said that they are redeeming the time - they are taking full advantage of every opportunity to answer the questions of those interested in God and the plan of salvation offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Not only are we to know what to answer, but how to answer the questions of others regarding their spiritual well being. To be able to give answers, we need to know the answers beforehand - to be prepared to answer. Paul told Timothy to study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Start now! Study God's word - study the scriptures. Why? Because all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Giving answers to those interested in learning about God, and his plan of salvation, is so important for the Christian. What shall I say to them? God has given us the answers in His Holy Word. If we are not prepared to give them answers, what will we say to God on judgement day when He asks us to give an account of our individual lives on earth? What shall we say to God on that day?