Overview:

Exodus 3 introduces one of the most profound moments in biblical history: the calling of Moses through the encounter with God at the burning bush. After spending years in Midian as a shepherd, Moses experiences a theophany—a visible manifestation of God—in the form of a bush that burns but is not consumed. God calls Moses by name and reveals His plan to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. God also reveals His name, Yahweh (“I AM WHO I AM”), marking a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative where God makes His personal nature and His covenant faithfulness known.

God commissions Moses to return to Egypt and lead His people out of slavery. Moses, however, expresses doubt about his ability to carry out such a task, but God assures him that He will be with him and gives him signs to confirm His divine presence. The chapter marks the beginning of Moses’ transformation from a fugitive shepherd to the chosen leader of Israel.

This chapter highlights major theological themes, including God’s holiness, His covenant faithfulness, His revelation of His personal name, and His plan of redemption. God’s sovereign call of Moses serves as a reminder that God equips and empowers those He calls, and His presence is the guarantee of success in the mission.

Historical and Literary Context:

Exodus 3 takes place in the wilderness of Midian, where Moses has lived in exile for 40 years, following his flight from Egypt (Exodus 2:15). Moses is now an 80-year-old shepherd, seemingly far removed from his days in Pharaoh’s court and any thought of leading Israel. The encounter at the burning bush occurs on Mount Horeb (also called Mount Sinai), which will later become the location where God gives the law to Israel.

The appearance of God in a burning bush is a literary and symbolic motif representing God’s holiness. Fire in the Bible often symbolizes God’s purifying presence, and the fact that the bush is not consumed signifies the eternal and self-sustaining nature of God. This encounter also introduces the divine name Yahweh (“I AM WHO I AM”), which reveals God’s self-existence, faithfulness, and unchanging nature.

The chapter follows a typical biblical call narrative, where a reluctant individual is chosen by God to fulfill a divine mission. Moses’ initial hesitation reflects his feelings of inadequacy, but God’s assurance of His presence is the central focus. The commission of Moses sets in motion the events of the Exodus, which will serve as the defining moment of Israel’s history.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

The Holiness of God:

The burning bush is a manifestation of God’s holiness, as seen in His command to Moses to remove his sandals.

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5).

The holiness of God separates Him from the profane and emphasizes His purity, perfection, and transcendence. God’s holiness is also a reminder of His authority and the reverence due to Him.

The Covenant Faithfulness of God:

God’s call to Moses is rooted in His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God tells Moses that He has seen the suffering of His people and is now acting to fulfill His covenant by delivering them from Egypt.

“I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering” (Exodus 3:7).

God’s faithfulness to His covenant ensures that His promises are not forgotten, even when His people are suffering.

The Revelation of God’s Name: Yahweh:

In this chapter, God reveals His name, “I AM WHO I AM,” a profound declaration of His eternal, self-existent nature.

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

God’s name reflects His unchanging character and His sovereign control over history. He is the God who was, who is, and who always will be. This revelation also signifies God’s personal relationship with His people.

God’s Presence and Empowerment:

Moses expresses doubt about his ability to lead the Israelites, but God assures him of His divine presence.

“And God said, ‘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’” (Exodus 3:12).

God’s presence is the ultimate source of power and success for the mission. This theme of God’s presence empowering His chosen servant foreshadows the ministry of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Exodus 3:1-3:

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

Moses’ encounter with God begins with a divine appearance through the burning bush. The mountain of Horeb (later called Sinai) becomes a place of divine revelation, and the fire represents God’s holiness and purifying presence.

Exodus 3:4-6:

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

God calls Moses by name, indicating that this is a personal encounter. Moses’ removal of his sandals and his fear of looking at God reflect the reverence and awe that God’s holiness commands. God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, affirming His covenant faithfulness.

Exodus 3:7-10:

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So 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—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

God declares His intention to act on behalf of His people, acknowledging their suffering and oppression. He reveals His plan to deliver them and bring them into the Promised Land, fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham. God commissions Moses to be the instrument of this deliverance.

Exodus 3:11-12:

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “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.”

Moses’ hesitation reflects his feelings of inadequacy, but God reassures him with the promise of His presence. God’s assurance that Moses will return to worship on Mount Horeb serves as a sign of His faithfulness and power.

Exodus 3:13-14:

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘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 said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

God reveals His name as “I AM WHO I AM,” signifying His eternal and self-existent nature. This revelation emphasizes God’s unchanging character and His faithfulness to His covenant. The name “I AM” becomes a central theme in understanding God’s identity throughout Scripture.

Exodus 3:15-17:

God also said to Moses, “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. Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’”

God instructs Moses to announce His plan to the elders of Israel, reaffirming His covenant promises. God’s name, “Yahweh,” will be remembered for generations as the God who delivers His people. This promise to bring the Israelites into a “land flowing with milk and honey” is a direct fulfillment of the promises made to the patriarchs, demonstrating God’s unwavering faithfulness. The inclusion of the specific nations that inhabit the land serves to show that despite opposition, God’s plan will be victorious.

Exodus 3:18-20:

“The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’ But 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 that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.”

God predicts the resistance Moses will face from Pharaoh, but He also promises that Pharaoh will ultimately be forced to let the Israelites go. The “mighty hand” of God refers to the miraculous signs and plagues that will soon be unleashed on Egypt. This is a foreshadowing of the confrontation between God’s power and the hardened heart of Pharaoh.

Exodus 3:21-22:

“And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.”

God promises not only deliverance but also provision for the Israelites as they leave Egypt. The “plundering” of the Egyptians symbolizes God’s justice for Israel’s long years of oppression. It also reflects the biblical principle that God not only frees His people but also blesses and provides for them abundantly.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Exodus 3 foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who, like Moses, is called to deliver His people. Just as Moses encounters God in the burning bush and is commissioned to lead Israel out of physical bondage, Jesus is the incarnate Word who comes to lead humanity out of spiritual bondage. The revelation of God’s name, “I AM WHO I AM,” becomes significant in Jesus’ own ministry, as He repeatedly identifies Himself with the divine name (John 8:58). Jesus’ “I AM” statements in the Gospel of John reflect His divinity and His role as the eternal God who redeems His people.

Moreover, Moses’ reluctance to accept his calling mirrors the human tendency to doubt one’s adequacy in the face of a divine mission. But God’s assurance that “I will be with you” is echoed in Christ’s promise to His disciples: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). This enduring presence of God with His people, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, provides the foundation for Christian faith and service.

Sermon Outline and Flow:

1. Introduction: The Call of Moses
   • Set the scene of Moses’ encounter with the burning bush, highlighting the dramatic nature of God’s call.
   • Relate Moses’ experience to the concept of divine calling and human reluctance.
2. Point 1: The Holiness of God
   • Emphasize God’s command to Moses to remove his sandals and approach with reverence.
   • Application: We must approach God with a heart of reverence and humility, recognizing His holiness.
3. Point 2: God’s Covenant Faithfulness
   • Highlight God’s acknowledgment of Israel’s suffering and His commitment to deliver them in fulfillment of His covenant.
   • Application: Even in the darkest times, God remembers His promises and acts on behalf of His people.
4. Point 3: The Revelation of God’s Name
   • Explore the significance of God revealing Himself as “I AM WHO I AM” and its implications for His eternal, unchanging nature.
   • Application: God’s nature is the same yesterday, today, and forever; we can trust Him because He is faithful and constant.
5. Point 4: The Promise of God’s Presence
   • Discuss Moses’ reluctance and God’s assurance that He will be with him.
   • Application: When God calls us to serve, His presence is our source of strength and assurance.

Illustrations and Examples:

• Use the example of someone who felt inadequate for a task or calling but relied on God’s presence and power to succeed.
• Share a personal story of how understanding God’s faithfulness and presence helped you or someone you know through a challenging season.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Exodus 3 reminds us that when God calls us to a task, He equips us with His presence and power. Just as Moses initially doubted his ability to confront Pharaoh, many Christians today may feel inadequate for the roles God calls them to. However, God’s assurance, “I will be with you,” is a promise that applies to every believer. Whether we are called to lead, serve, or endure difficult circumstances, God’s presence is sufficient for the task. Additionally, the revelation of God’s name, “I AM,” reminds us that we serve a God who is eternal, self-existent, and unchanging. We can trust Him to fulfill His promises, no matter how insurmountable the challenges may seem.

Connection to the Father in Exodus 3:

In Exodus 3, God the Father reveals His deep concern for His people’s suffering and His determination to act on their behalf. His covenant faithfulness is at the heart of His actions, demonstrating that He is a loving and relational Father who hears the cries of His children. The commissioning of Moses also reflects God’s role as the initiator of redemption, always working out His plans for the salvation of His people.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Exodus 3:

The burning bush encounter foreshadows the ministry of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate “I AM.” Jesus’ identification with this divine name in the New Testament affirms His deity and His role as the eternal, self-sufficient God. Just as Moses is sent to deliver Israel from physical slavery, Christ is sent to deliver humanity from the spiritual bondage of sin. The commissioning of Moses also prefigures Christ’s mission to lead His people to salvation and the Promised Land of eternal life.

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Exodus 3:

The Holy Spirit’s role is evident in God’s empowering presence with Moses. Just as God promises Moses, “I will be with you,” the Holy Spirit is the presence of God with believers today, guiding, empowering, and equipping us for the tasks to which we are called. The burning bush itself, as a symbol of God’s holy and purifying presence, reflects the role of the Spirit in sanctifying and empowering believers for service.

Connection to God’s Love in Exodus 3:

God’s love is seen in His response to the suffering of His people. He hears their cries, remembers His covenant, and acts to deliver them. This compassionate love is further reflected in God’s revelation of His personal name, which signifies His desire for relationship with His people. Ultimately, God’s love is fulfilled in the deliverance of Israel, pointing forward to the greater deliverance in Jesus Christ, through whom God’s love is fully revealed.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Exodus 3 reveal the holiness and transcendence of God, and how should this affect our approach to worship?
2. In what ways can we relate to Moses’ reluctance to accept God’s calling, and how can we learn to trust in God’s presence and empowerment?
3. How does the revelation of God’s name, “I AM,” shape our understanding of His character and faithfulness?
4. What can we learn from God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel in Exodus 3 that applies to our lives as Christians today?
5. How can we, like Moses, respond to God’s call in our own lives, trusting that His presence is with us in every step of our journey?