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TheologyDiscussion postDoctrine of god

BIB 106 Topic 3 DQ 1: 'I Am' at the Burning Bush

A planning guide for BIB 106 Topic 3 Discussion 1 on the divine name revealed at the burning bush. It shows why 'at that specific time' is the phrase that decides the grade, how Exodus 3:12 and 3:14 share a verb, and how to make the ministry application follow from the exegesis instead of replacing it.

Updated

Editorial process

Last reviewed · August 10, 2026

01

Why 'at that specific time' decides this discussion post

The phrase that decides this post is at that specific time. The prompt does not ask what the name 'I Am' means in general — it asks what the name implied for Moses, then, in the situation he was actually standing in. That constraint rules out the answer most students give, which is a short essay on divine self-existence, eternality, and aseity. Those are real theological entailments of the name, but they are timeless, and a timeless answer cannot satisfy a question with a time index in it. So begin by reconstructing Moses' position: a fugitive from an Egyptian murder charge, forty years into keeping another man's sheep, now being sent back to the most powerful court in the region to demand the release of a slave population. The name is God's answer to a man in that position, and your post should read as though you know it.

The structure of Exodus 3 makes the point for you if you follow the conversation rather than jumping to verse 14. Moses raises two distinct objections and receives two distinct answers. First he asks who he is to go to Pharaoh, and the reply is not reassurance about Moses at all — it is a promise of presence. Then he asks what he should say when the Israelites ask the name of the God who sent him, and receives the name itself. Reading these together shows that the name arrives as the answer to a question about credibility before a sceptical audience, not as an abstract disclosure of the divine essence. Moses needs something to say to people who have been enslaved for generations and have every reason to doubt that anyone has been listening.

The detail that lifts a post out of the ordinary is that the two answers share a verb. In Exodus 3:12 God says 'I will be with you', and in 3:14 the name is given as 'ehyeh asher ehyeh'. Both use the Hebrew verb hayah, and 'ehyeh' is its first-person imperfect form, which is why translators can render the name as either 'I am who I am' or 'I will be who I will be'. That grammatical link means the name is not merely a statement of being; it is continuous with the promise of accompaniment given moments earlier. God identifies himself to Moses by the very word he has just used to guarantee his presence on the road ahead. If you make this observation, cite a source for the grammar rather than asserting it, because a Hebrew claim you cannot support is worse than one you never made.

With that in place, the implications for Moses become concrete rather than devotional. A God who is defined by ongoing presence answers the specific fear Moses expressed, which was not doubt about God's existence but doubt about his own adequacy and about what he would say when challenged. The name also does work against the Egyptian religious background, where gods were numerous, named, and tied to functions and places; a God who names himself by the fact of his being does not fit that catalogue. And it establishes a relationship of trust that must run forward in time, because a name that means presence can only be verified by walking on. State two or three implications of this kind, each tied to something in the text, rather than listing attributes.

The second half of the prompt asks how the revelation applies to you and your ministry today, and the honest difficulty here is that this half is where posts go generic. An application that could be pasted into any devotional — trust God, he is always with you — wastes the exegesis you just did. The discipline is to let the application inherit the shape of the finding. If the name answered a question about adequacy for a task, then your application belongs to a specific task you have actually been reluctant about. If it answered a question about what to say to sceptical people, then your application concerns a particular conversation you have avoided. Name the situation. Specificity is what makes this half readable, and it is also what makes it yours rather than transferable.

One last caution about scope, because this is the point where the topic invites overreach. The 'I am' sayings in John's gospel are a legitimate and expected connection, and one sentence linking the burning bush to John 8:58 shows canonical awareness. But a post that migrates into Christology has answered a different question, and the prompt has already given you two halves to cover. Similarly, resist the pull toward speculation about the divine name's pronunciation or about the tetragrammaton's later history; both are genuinely interesting and neither is what was asked. Keep the post anchored where the prompt anchored it — at the bush, with Moses, and then in your own present tense.

Likely learning objectives

Inferred from the brief — check these against your own rubric.

  • 01
    Situate the revelation of the divine name within Moses' actual circumstances rather than treating it as an abstract disclosure
  • 02
    Trace the two objections and two answers that structure Exodus 3:11-15
  • 03
    Explain the grammatical link between 'I will be with you' in 3:12 and the name given in 3:14, with a source behind the claim
  • 04
    Derive a ministry application whose shape follows from the exegesis rather than from general devotional habit
Assignment instructionsQuoted verbatim

The BIB 106 Topic 3 Discussion 1 prompt in full

Review every instruction before using the planning guidance that follows.

BIB 106 Topic 3 Discussion 1 At the burning bush, the Lord reveals himself to Moses by the name “I Am.” What are the implications of this name for Moses at that specific time, and how does this revelation apply to you and your ministry today BIB 106 Topic 3 Discussion 1 At the burning bush, the Lord reveals himself to Moses by the name “I Am.” What are the implications of this name for Moses at that specific time, and how does this revelation apply to you and your ministry today? At the burning bush, the Lord reveals himself to Moses by the name “I Am.” What are the implications of this name for Moses at that specific time, and how does this revelation apply to you and your ministry today?
Course-wide instructions that accompany this question

Important information for writing discussion questions and participation Hi Class, Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts. Contact me if you have any questions. Important information on Writing a Discussion Question Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references) There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article. Include in-text citations in your response Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information Follow APA-7th edition Points will be deducted if the above is not followed Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week. Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references) Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count. Follow APA 7th edition Points will be deducted if the above is not followed Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points. Here are some helpful links Student paper example Citing Sources The Writing Center is a great resource Welcome to class Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to. I strongly encourage that you do not wait until the very last minute to complete your assignments. Your assignments in weeks 4 and 5 require early planning as you would need to present a teaching plan and interview a community health provider. I advise you look at the requirements for these assignments at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly. I have posted the YouTube link that explains all the class assignments in detail. It is required that you watch this 32-minute video as the assignments from week 3 through 5 require that you follow the instructions to the letter to succeed. Failure to complete these assignments according to instructions might lead to a zero. After watching the video, please schedule a one-on-one with me to discuss your topic for your project by the second week of class. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute session. Please, call me at the time of your appointment on my number. Please note that I will NOT call you. Please, be advised I do NOT accept any assignments by email. If you are having technical issues with uploading an assignment, contact the technical department and inform me of the issue. If you have any issues that would prevent you from getting your assignments to me by the deadline, please inform me to request a possible extension. Note that working fulltime or overtime is no excuse for late assignments. There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted. If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations. Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements. Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week. I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course! Exit  Grid View  List View BIB 106 Topic 3 Discussion 1 At the burning bush, the Lord reveals himself to Moses by the name “I Am.” What are the implications of this name for Moses at that specific time, and how does this revelation apply to you and your ministry today Excellent Point range: 90–100 Good Point range: 80–89 Fair Point range: 70–79 Poor Point range: 0–69 In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous sytem, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly describes in detail the anatomy of the neuron. The response accurately and clearly describes in detail each part of the neuron, and it includes a detailed explanation of the general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Examples fully support the response provided. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately describes the anatomy of the neuron. The response accurately describes each part of the neuron, and it includes a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Examples support the response provided. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response provides an inaccurate or vague description of the anatomy of the neuron. The response inaccurately or vaguely describes each part of the neuron, and it includes an inaccurate or vague overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Examples vaguely support the response provided. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response provides an inaccurate or incomplete description of the anatomy of the neuron, or is missing. The response inaccurately or incompletely describes each part of the neuron, and it includes an inaccurate or vague overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse, or is missing. Examples do not support the response provided, or is missing. Answer the following (listing is acceptable for these questions): a. What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures? b. Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction? c. What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control? 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly details the major components that make up the subcortical structures. The response accurately and clearly details which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction. The response accurately and clearly identifies the two neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately identifies the major components that make up the subcortical structures. The response accurately identifies which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction. The response accurately identifies the two neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately identifies the major components that make up the subcortical structures. The response inaccurately identifies which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction. The response inaccurately identifies two neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and incompletely identifies the major components that make up the subcortical structures, or is missing. The response inaccurately and incompletely identifies which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction, or is missing. The response inaccurately and incompletely identifies two neurotransmitters in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control, or is missing. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Be specific and provide examples. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly explains in detail how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Examples fully support the response provided. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately explains how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Examples support the response provided. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Examples inaccurately or vaguely support the response provided. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how glia cells function in the central nervous system, or is missing. Examples do not support the response provided, or is missing. The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately explains the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the part of the neurons that communicate with each other and the direction in which this communication occurs, or is missing. In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples. 12 (16%) – 13 (17.33%) The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the concept of neuroplasticity. Examples provided fully support the response provided. 11 (14.67%) – 11 (14.67%) The response accurately explains the concept of neuroplasticity. Examples provided support the response provided. 10 (13.33%) – 10 (13.33%) The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the concept of neuroplasticity. Examples inaccurately or vaguely support the response provided. 0 (0%) – 9 (12%) The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the concept of neuroplasticity, or is missing. Examples do not support the response provided, or is missing. Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation 5 (6.67%) – 5 (6.67%) Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors. 4 (5.33%) – 4 (5.33%) Contains a few (1 or 2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 3.5 (4.67%) – 3.5 (4.67%) Contains several (3 or 4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 0 (0%) – 2 (2.67%) Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding. Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, 5 (6.67%) – 5 (6.67%) Uses correct APA format with no errors. 4 (5.33%) – 4 (5.33%) Contains a few (1 or 2) APA format errors. 3.5 (4.67%) – 3.5 (4.67%) Contains several (3 or 4) APA format errors. 0 (0%) – 2 (2.67%) Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors. parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. Total Points: 75

02

What this post has to contain

  1. 01
    A discussion-forum post covering both halves: the implications for Moses at that time, and the application today
  2. 02
    A reconstruction of Moses' situation specific enough to explain why this answer met his objection
  3. 03
    Direct engagement with Exodus 3:11-15, following the conversation rather than quoting verse 14 alone
  4. 04
    Any claim about the Hebrew supported by a cited source, not asserted
  5. 05
    A named, particular situation in your own ministry, rather than a general statement about trusting God
  6. 06
    Sources cited in APA 7th edition
03

From Exodus 3 to a ministry application that is actually yours

01

Put Moses back in his situation

Open by establishing where Moses stands — exile, shepherding, a murder in his past, and a commission to confront Pharaoh — so the name has a situation to answer.

02

Follow the two objections and their two answers

Work through Exodus 3:11-15 as a conversation: 'Who am I?' answered by presence, 'What is your name?' answered by the name.

03

The shared verb, and what it implies

Show that 3:12 and 3:14 both use hayah, and draw out that the name is continuous with the promise of accompaniment rather than separate from it.

04

Implications for Moses, tied to his objection

State two or three consequences of this name for a man being sent, including against the polytheistic background he would face in Egypt.

05

Application that inherits the shape of the finding

Move to the present by matching the application to what the name actually answered — adequacy for a task, or what to say to sceptics — in one named situation.

04

Sourcing a claim about the Hebrew behind 'I Am'

Recommended databases

  • Exodus 3 in a translation your instructor accepts, read in full before any secondary source
  • Sefaria, for the Hebrew text alongside classical Jewish commentary on the verse
  • The Arnold and Beyer course textbook, for the survey treatment of the exodus and the divine name
  • ATLA Religion Database, for peer-reviewed work on Exodus 3:14 and the meaning of the name
  • An academic commentary on Exodus, for the range of defensible translations

Search sequence

  1. 1.
    Read Exodus 3:1-15 as one unit and mark where Moses speaks; the objections are what the name is answering.
  2. 2.
    Search 'Exodus 3:14 ehyeh asher ehyeh translation' rather than 'meaning of I AM', which returns devotional material.
  3. 3.
    Before making any Hebrew claim, find a source that states the grammatical point explicitly, and quote it rather than paraphrasing a half-remembered version.
  4. 4.
    Look specifically for treatments that discuss 3:12 and 3:14 together, since that connection is the part of the answer most sources skip.
  5. 5.
    Note where sources disagree on rendering the name; presenting one translation as the only correct one is a claim you would have to defend.
05

Sources on Exodus 3:14 and the divine name

These are authoritative starting points, not a ready-made bibliography. A qualified reviewer must confirm that each source fits the assignment and supports the claim beside which it is cited.

Nothing here is cleared for citation until you have read it.

  1. 01

    Exodus 3:14

    Sefaria · 2024

    The Hebrew text of the verse with classical commentary alongside it. Use it to quote the phrase accurately and to see how interpreters long before the modern period handled the name, which guards against presenting one reading as obvious.

  2. 02

    What God Means by "I AM WHO I AM" in Exodus 3:14

    Bible Study Tools · 2023

    An accessible statement of the name's implications that stays close to the Exodus setting. Useful for the implications section, where you need claims tied to Moses rather than to systematic theology.

  3. 03

    I am who I am in Exodus 3

    Dr John Sanders · 2022

    A theologian's treatment of the translation options and of the name as a promise of presence rather than a metaphysical formula. Cite it when you argue that the name answers Moses' objection instead of describing the divine essence.

  4. 04

    The "I Am" of Exodus 3:13-15

    The Herald Magazine · 2021

    Treats the three verses as a single unit, which is the reading your second section needs. Helpful for seeing how the name functions as something Moses can actually say to the Israelites.

06

Checking the post before you submit it

Common mistakes

  • Writing a timeless essay on self-existence and eternality, which ignores the phrase 'at that specific time'
  • Quoting Exodus 3:14 in isolation and missing that it answers the second of two distinct objections
  • Asserting what the Hebrew 'really means' without a source, on a point where translations legitimately differ
  • Closing with an application so general it could appear in a post about any passage in the Bible
  • Drifting into the 'I am' sayings of John's gospel until the post becomes an argument about Christology
  • Speculating on the pronunciation or later history of the divine name, which is interesting and not what was asked

Submission checklist

  • Is Moses' actual situation described concretely enough to explain why this answer fits it?
  • Does the post follow the exchange in Exodus 3:11-15 rather than isolating verse 14?
  • Is the shared verb between 3:12 and 3:14 mentioned, and is the claim sourced?
  • Are the implications for Moses tied to the text rather than listed as divine attributes?
  • Does the application name a specific task, conversation, or reluctance of your own?
  • Has the post stayed at the bush rather than migrating into John's gospel?
  • Are citations and references in APA 7th edition?

Use this guide to plan and review your own work. Follow your institution's rules and read our academic-integrity policy.

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Aaron Bishop

MA, Education

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Aaron leads the EssayCrackers editorial desk. He works on how assignment briefs are read — what a rubric is actually asking for, and where students most often answer a different question than the one set.

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PhD, Rhetoric & Composition

Argumentation and thesis development

Nathan teaches first-year composition and directs a university writing center. He reviews EssayCrackers guides for argumentative soundness and citation accuracy.

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