God Calls Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1–22)
Sometimes life feels ordinary — until God steps in and changes everything.
That’s what happened to Moses. He was living a quiet life, working as a shepherd in the land of Midian. But one day, God called him to a special mission that would change the course of history.
The Burning Bush: A Shocking Encounter
It started like any other day. Moses was out in the fields, taking care of his sheep. Then he noticed something strange — a bush that was on fire, but it wasn’t burning up!
Curious, Moses went closer. As he did, God called to him from the bush, saying, “Moses! Moses!”
Moses answered, “Here I am.”
God told him to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. Then God introduced Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the same God Moses’ ancestors had worshiped. Moses was so amazed and scared that he hid his face.
God’s Mission for Moses
God told Moses that He had seen how badly the Israelites were suffering as slaves in Egypt. God cared deeply about their pain and had a plan to rescue them.
Then came the big news:
God said, “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
Moses, an ordinary man tending sheep, was chosen for an extraordinary job!
Moses’ Doubts and God’s Assurance
Moses didn’t feel ready.
He asked, “Who am I to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
God’s answer was simple but powerful: “I will be with you.”
God promised that after Moses led the people out, they would worship God at the very mountain where Moses was standing. Moses wasn’t alone. God would guide him every step of the way.
God Reveals His Name
Still unsure, Moses asked, “What if the people ask me who sent me?”
God replied, “I AM WHO I AM.”
He told Moses to say, “I AM has sent me to you.” This name showed that God is eternal, powerful, and unchanging. God also reminded Moses that He was the same God who had made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob long ago.
God’s Plan for Success
God laid out the plan:
-
Moses would gather the elders of Israel and tell them that God had heard their cries.
-
Together, they would go to Pharaoh and ask to leave Egypt.
-
God warned that Pharaoh would not let them go easily, but God would show His mighty power through miracles.
-
In the end, the Israelites would not leave empty-handed — they would take valuable gifts from the Egyptians as they went.
Key Lessons
There’s a lot we can learn from Moses’ experience:
-
God Calls Ordinary People: Moses wasn’t famous or powerful. He was a regular man living a quiet life when God called him.
-
God Is With Us: Even when we feel small or scared, God promises to be by our side.
-
God’s Plans Are Bigger Than Our Fears: Moses was afraid, but God had a much bigger plan in mind — a plan to free a whole nation!
Final Thoughts
Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush changed his life forever. God took an ordinary man and called him to do something extraordinary.
Think about this: Is there something God might be asking you to do, even if it feels scary or overwhelming?
If God is calling you, remember: He will never leave you alone. Trust Him — His plans are always greater than we can imagine!
Exodus 3:1-22 (WEB)
3:1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s mountain, to Horeb. 2 The LORD’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 Moses said, “I will go now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”4 When the LORD saw that he came over to see, God called to him out of the middle of the bush, and said, “Moses! Moses!”He said, “Here I am.”5 He said, “Don’t come close. Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing on is holy ground.” 6 Moreover he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.7 The LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. 8 I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 9 Now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to me. Moreover I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”11 Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”12 He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”13 Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘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, and this is my memorial to all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt. 17 I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ 18 They will listen to your voice. You shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD, our God.’ 19 I know that the king of Egypt won’t give you permission to go, no, not by a mighty hand. 20 I will reach out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do among them, and after that he will let you go. 21 I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and it will happen that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing. You shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You shall plunder the Egyptians.”