Before Moses was, I am There is a reason the Jews picked up stones to stone Jesus immediately on hearing that statement Jesus applied the unique and holy name of God to Himself That was a direct claim of divinity
The reason? Just like the religious experts of today, they grossly misunderstood his words, his works, and his message. The NT documents numerous examples of the religious experts not comprehending correctly, Jesus ADMONISHING them.
It was not a claim of divinity. That was the point. He was correcting them.
The words of God - His promises - are as good as if materially existing at the very moment of their thought and utterance. That's just the trustworthy nature of God and His words. Linear time in the physical world catches up sooner or later, when natural man eventually sees these promises of God manifest in a tangible way. But they already existed, no matter what they are. Those seeing by faith, however, see, embrace, and believe the promises BEFORE the word of God shows up on the physical scene for the slow pokes.
Hebrews 11:1-4
1 Now faith is the substance (confidence, substructure, foundation) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed [perfected] by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Things which are perceived [spiritually] are not made of things which do appear [physically].
God said so simply (Ex 3:14), I am who I am.
It's His character; it's His name. His children are chips off the old block - that's how you recognize them.
Who/that/which - same Hebrew word, asher. Ehyeh asher Ehyeh.
This is who I am.. here you go.. what you see is what you get.
So simple, a child could understand.
Matthew 17:24-27;18:1-6
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Open, wholehearted, sincere... what you see is what you get. No wonder the religious chattering class didn't/don't recognize a chip off the old block. He was/is strange to them.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.