1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, [even] to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush [was] not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here [am] I.
5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground.
6 Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
11 And Moses said unto God, Who [am] I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this [shall be] a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, [when] I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What [is] his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this [is] my name for ever, and this [is] my memorial unto all generations.
16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and [seen] that which is done to you in Egypt:
17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
18 And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put [them] upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
Overview of Exodus Chapter 3
Exodus Chapter 3 is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, marking the call of Moses and the revelation of God’s name. This chapter sets the stage for the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and introduces key themes of divine presence, mission, and covenant.
Key Themes
- Divine Encounter: The chapter begins with Moses encountering God in the form of a burning bush, symbolizing God’s holiness and the transformative power of divine presence.
- Call and Commission: God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, highlighting the theme of divine selection and human agency.
- God’s Name: The revelation of God’s name as “I AM WHO I AM” emphasizes God’s eternal existence and faithfulness to His covenant.
- Human Reluctance: Moses’ hesitations and objections reflect the human tendency to doubt one’s abilities and the challenge of accepting divine missions.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Burning Bush (Verses 1-6)
Moses, while tending to his father-in-law’s flock, encounters a bush that burns but is not consumed. This miraculous sight draws him closer, prompting God’s call. The location, Horeb, is significant as it later becomes known as the mountain of God.
- Symbolism of Fire: The fire represents God’s holiness and presence. It serves as a reminder that God is both near and transcendent.
- God’s Call: The call “Moses, Moses!” indicates a personal relationship, emphasizing that God knows and calls individuals by name.
- Holy Ground: God instructs Moses to remove his sandals, highlighting the sacredness of the encounter and the need for reverence in the presence of the divine.
2. God’s Compassion for Israel (Verses 7-10)
God reveals His awareness of the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt. He expresses His intention to rescue them and lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey.
- Divine Compassion: God’s concern for His people illustrates His active involvement in human history and suffering.
- Promise of Deliverance: The promise to bring the Israelites out of oppression signifies God’s commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- Call to Action: God commissions Moses to confront Pharaoh, emphasizing the role of human agency in divine plans.
3. Moses’ Objections (Verses 11-15)
Moses expresses doubt about his qualifications and fears regarding his mission. He questions his identity and authority, leading to God’s reassurance.
- Self-Doubt: Moses’ initial response reflects common human feelings of inadequacy when faced with divine tasks.
- God’s Assurance: God reassures Moses that He will be with him, emphasizing that success is contingent upon divine presence rather than human ability.
- Revelation of God’s Name: The introduction of “I AM” signifies God’s eternal nature and serves as a powerful affirmation of His authority and presence.
4. Instructions for the Israelites (Verses 16-22)
God provides Moses with specific instructions on how to approach the elders of Israel and what to say to Pharaoh. He assures Moses of the eventual success of their mission.
- Gathering the Elders: The importance of community leadership is highlighted as Moses is instructed to gather the elders to gain their support.
- Signs and Wonders: God equips Moses with signs to demonstrate His power, reinforcing the theme of divine authority over earthly rulers.
- Promise of Favor: God assures Moses that the Israelites will not leave empty-handed, foreshadowing the wealth they will acquire from the Egyptians.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 3 is a foundational text that encapsulates the themes of divine calling, human reluctance, and the assurance of God’s presence. It sets the stage for the subsequent events of the Exodus narrative, emphasizing the importance of faith and obedience in fulfilling divine missions.
