What shall I say Your name is?

In Exodus 3:13–14, Moses asks God a striking question: “When I tell the people of Israel who sent me, what shall I say Your name is?” As one of the first to introduce God to humanity, Moses had a point. Through his writings in the Old Testament, he revealed God’s character across the history of His people—both in times past and during his leadership. Unbeknownst to Moses, the metaphors he recorded would, 1,500 years later, point to Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. God’s response was profound: “I AM WHO I AM. Tell the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

When I first read this, I was puzzled. What did “I AM” mean? The answer unfolds in the New Testament, where Jesus declares Himself the fulfillment of this divine name. Through metaphors echoing Moses, He says: “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “the light of the world” (John 8:12), “the door of the sheep” (John 10:7), “the good shepherd” (John 10:11), “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and “the true vine” (John 15:1). As you meditate on these metaphors, the identity of the Great I AM becomes vivid and transformative.

As a boy, my father read to me from a Children’s Bible, sparking both awe and fear at the “fire and brimstone” God of the Old Testament, yet hope and comfort in the grace-filled God of the New Testament. This painting, part of my Wilderness Walk series, captures those childhood emotions. It draws inspiration from two beloved stories: The Wizard of Oz and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Together, they reflect the Bible’s narrative, serving as tools to teach children about the nature of the I AM through metaphor.

In The Wizard of Oz, the “fire and brimstone” God of the Old Testament finds a parallel. The Great and Powerful Oz, a fearsome figure, terrifies those who seek him—until a small dog pulls back the curtain, revealing a kind, approachable man. This mirrors the moment of Christ’s crucifixion, when the temple veil was torn (Matthew 27:51), granting us direct access to a loving, almighty God. Suddenly, all things are possible through Him.

In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a boy trapped in poverty inherits Willy Wonka’s wondrous factory through faith, hope, and providence. So too are we, doomed to death, offered eternal life with our Heavenly Father through faith in Christ. This painting weaves these stories into a visual metaphor, resonating with the wonder of the I AM and His promise of abundant life.