We saw before how Moses asked "Who am I?" in response to God's unsolicited appearance.
If we read a little deeper, we'll also see how Moses becomes an active part of God’s story. First, he took interest in the bush that burned without being consumed. Second, he listened to the story of Israel's plight from God’s point of view. (He heard what God had to say about the situation – primarily that He was the God of Moses’ ancestors, He was aware of what was going on, and through Moses He was doing something about it.)
After hearing everything that God had to say, Moses asked, “Who am I…”
God doesn’t answer this question. Rather, he tells Moses, “I am with you…” and continues with the story. “…when you bring the people out from Egypt they will worship me on this mountain.”
Though Moses gets neither “ego boost” nor “off the hook” with his question of personal identity, he does gain picture of a God who both cares and acts. Moses has a unique role to play.
He made himself available. First, God got his attention with something out of the ordinary (a burning bush). After seeing it, Moses then turned to investigate this strange happening further.
God begins to tell the story of His identification with Moses’ ancestors, with the plight of His people, with Moses as His “man.” After hearing this, Moses asked, “Who am I? How can I do these things?”
God says, “I am with you… when you bring the people out from Egypt they will worship me on this mountain.”
Moses became part of God’s story. Come to think of it, how would we have ever even heard of Moses otherwise?
Moses becomes defined by his mission - by God's plan. So, God eventually does answer Moses' question "who am I?" by providing a bigger picture (telling the larger story) and the role that Moses is to play in it. It is here that Moses learns who he is.
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