While in Israel last month I was introduced to a Hebrew word that sums up three English words. The Hebrew word is Hineni (pronounced hee-nay-nee). It means, “Here I am.” It’s a statement that emphasizes readiness to hear and act, attentiveness and engagement. The word is more than the answer to a roll call, “Here!” It goes beyond that to say, “At your service!”
The phrase “Here I am” appears several times in the Old Testament. The first appearance is in Genesis 22:1 when God called Abraham to do something very difficult. “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’” In response to the call, Abraham said, “Here I am.” Hineni!
We see the word again in Exodus 3:4 when God appeared to an eighty-year-old shepherd named Moses and called him to the greatest assignment of his life. In response to the call, Moses said “Here I am.” Hineni!
In 1 Samuel 3:3-4 God spoke to the young boy, Samuel. Samuel was destined to serve the nation of Israel in the multifaceted role of prophet, priest, judge, and intercessor. In response to the word of the Lord, the young Samuel said “Here I am.” Hineni!
And later, in Isaiah 6:8, the prophet Isaiah heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Without hesitation, Isaiah cried out, “Here am I! Send me.” Hineni!
The first appearance of the word “hineni” should have been in Genesis 3 when God called to Adam saying, “Where are you?” Adam should have quickly responded, “Here I am.” Hineni! But in sin and disobedience, Adam remained silent. God’s call went unanswered.
But Jesus, the second Adam, responded differently to the call of God. When presented with the greatest task of all, the work of redemption, Jesus said, “Behold, I come…I delight to do Your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:7-8).
The call of God is constantly going out to us today. Like Abraham we are called to give. Like Moses we are called to go. Like Samuel we are called to serve. Like Isaiah we are called to speak. Don’t ignore God’s call like the first Adam. Don’t let His word to you go unanswered. In obedience, respond like the second Adam and say, “Here I am.” Hineni!
Pastor Todd Weston
The phrase “Here I am” appears several times in the Old Testament. The first appearance is in Genesis 22:1 when God called Abraham to do something very difficult. “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’” In response to the call, Abraham said, “Here I am.” Hineni!
We see the word again in Exodus 3:4 when God appeared to an eighty-year-old shepherd named Moses and called him to the greatest assignment of his life. In response to the call, Moses said “Here I am.” Hineni!
In 1 Samuel 3:3-4 God spoke to the young boy, Samuel. Samuel was destined to serve the nation of Israel in the multifaceted role of prophet, priest, judge, and intercessor. In response to the word of the Lord, the young Samuel said “Here I am.” Hineni!
And later, in Isaiah 6:8, the prophet Isaiah heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Without hesitation, Isaiah cried out, “Here am I! Send me.” Hineni!
The first appearance of the word “hineni” should have been in Genesis 3 when God called to Adam saying, “Where are you?” Adam should have quickly responded, “Here I am.” Hineni! But in sin and disobedience, Adam remained silent. God’s call went unanswered.
But Jesus, the second Adam, responded differently to the call of God. When presented with the greatest task of all, the work of redemption, Jesus said, “Behold, I come…I delight to do Your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:7-8).
The call of God is constantly going out to us today. Like Abraham we are called to give. Like Moses we are called to go. Like Samuel we are called to serve. Like Isaiah we are called to speak. Don’t ignore God’s call like the first Adam. Don’t let His word to you go unanswered. In obedience, respond like the second Adam and say, “Here I am.” Hineni!
Pastor Todd Weston
