Introduction

Exodus 3 is one of Scripture's most profound encounters with God. At a burning bush that is not consumed, God reveals His name, His character, and His plan to deliver Israel. Moses, now eighty years old and tending sheep in the wilderness, is called to confront the world's most powerful ruler.

The Burning Bush

[1-3] An unusual sight draws Moses aside.

• Tending Jethro's flock [1]: Moses is tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, priest of Midian. He leads the flock to the far side of the wilderness and comes to Horeb, the mountain of God
• The angel of the Lord [2]: The angel of the Lord appears in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses sees that though the bush is on fire, it does not burn up
• Moses' curiosity [3]: "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

God Speaks

[4-6] Moses encounters the holy God.

• God calls his name [4]: "Moses! Moses!" And Moses says, "Here I am."
• Holy ground [5]: "Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
• God identifies Himself [6]: "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." Moses hides his face, afraid to look at God

God's Compassion and Plan

[7-10] God has seen, heard, and will act.

• I have seen [7]: "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt."
• I have heard [7]: "I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers."
• I am concerned [7]: "I am concerned about their suffering."
• I have come down [8]: "I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey."
• Moses' commission [10]: "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

Moses' First Objection

[11-12] "Who am I?"

• Moses' inadequacy [11]: "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
• God's answer [12]: "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
• The real question: It's not about who Moses is—it's about who God is

The Divine Name

[13-15] "I AM WHO I AM."

• Moses' question [13]: "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
• God's answer [14]: "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
• The eternal name [15]: "Say to the Israelites, 'The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation."
• The Name: YHWH (often rendered LORD) is related to the Hebrew verb "to be." God is the self-existent one, dependent on nothing outside Himself

Instructions for Moses

[16-22] The plan laid out.

• Gather the elders [16-17]: Tell them the Lord has appeared and will bring them up out of misery to the Promised Land
• They will listen [18]: The elders will listen. Then go to Pharaoh and say, "The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices."
• Pharaoh will refuse [19-20]: "I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform."
• Plunder [21-22]: "I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed." They will ask for silver, gold, and clothing

Key Takeaways

• God sees suffering [7]: He is not distant or indifferent to pain
• God's presence is what matters [12]: "I will be with you" answers every "Who am I?"
• God is the eternal "I AM" [14]: Self-existent, unchanging, always present
• God keeps His promises [8, 15]: He remembers His covenant with Abraham

Reflection Questions

• When have you asked "Who am I?" and needed to hear "I will be with you"?
• What does it mean for your daily life that God's name is "I AM"?
• What suffering around you is God seeing and calling you to address?