Exodus 3
Exodus 3 records the dramatic encounter between God and Moses at the burning bush. This chapter is significant because it marks the moment when God reveals Himself to Moses and commissions him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. It highlights God's compassion for His people, His divine name, and the beginning of Moses’ prophetic mission. The interaction is filled with symbolic imagery, emphasizing God's holiness, power, and His direct involvement in human history.
Exodus 3:1 (NKJV)
1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Moses, now living in Midian as a shepherd, has settled into a quiet, humble life. The mention of Horeb, the mountain of God, foreshadows the significant events that will occur there, including Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. This verse sets the stage for the divine encounter. It highlights that, despite his current lowly role, Moses is being divinely guided to a place of great spiritual significance, emphasizing God’s providential leading in ordinary circumstances.
Exodus 3:2-3 (NKJV)
2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.
3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”
These verses introduce the miraculous burning bush, a powerful symbol of God’s presence. The bush burns but is not consumed, reflecting God’s self-sustaining power and His holiness. Moses’ curiosity shows that God’s interventions often draw people in through wonder and mystery. The burning bush captivates Moses, leading him to approach, and thus begins the encounter where God reveals His plan. The imagery of fire often represents God's purity, presence, and the intensity of His holiness.
Exodus 3:4 (NKJV)
4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
God initiates communication with Moses, calling him by name twice, which signifies urgency and intimacy. Moses’ response, “Here I am,” reflects openness and readiness, but he is likely unaware of the full magnitude of this encounter. This moment shows God’s personal nature—He knows Moses individually and calls him directly. It also reveals how God often waits for a response before revealing His deeper purposes.
Exodus 3:5 (NKJV)
5 Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
God immediately establishes the sacredness of the encounter by commanding Moses to remove his sandals, a common sign of respect and reverence in ancient cultures. The ground is holy not because of its physical location, but because of God’s manifest presence. This verse teaches that God's presence sanctifies, making ordinary things sacred. It emphasizes that approaching God requires reverence, humility, and recognition of His holiness.
Exodus 3:6 (NKJV)
6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your 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.
God introduces Himself to Moses by recalling His covenant with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This reinforces that God is faithful to His promises, even across generations. Moses’ reaction of hiding his face shows his awareness of God's overwhelming holiness and his own unworthiness. The encounter reminds Moses (and readers) that God’s presence demands awe, reverence, and a recognition of His power and majesty.
Exodus 3:7 (NKJV)
7 And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
God reveals His deep concern for His people, affirming that He has seen their suffering and heard their cries. This shows God's awareness of human suffering and His compassionate response. The use of "My people" indicates a personal relationship between God and the Israelites. This verse reassures that God is not distant or indifferent, but fully aware and empathetic toward their struggles, highlighting His readiness to intervene.
Exodus 3:8 (NKJV)
8 So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.
God’s plan for deliverance is introduced. He promises to not only rescue the Israelites from Egypt but also to bring them into a rich and fertile land, symbolized by "milk and honey." The mention of the various nations shows that this land is occupied, foreshadowing the challenges Israel will face. Yet, the focus is on God’s provision and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to Abraham about a prosperous land for his descendants.
Exodus 3:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also 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.”
God reiterates His awareness of Israel's suffering but now makes clear that Moses will be the chosen instrument for their deliverance. Despite Moses' humble status, God calls him to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This commission emphasizes God's sovereignty—He chooses and empowers whomever He wills for His divine purposes. Moses’ mission will require courage and obedience, as it involves facing a powerful ruler and leading an oppressed nation to freedom.
Exodus 3:11 (NKJV)
11 But 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?”
Moses' initial response is one of humility and self-doubt. He questions his worthiness and capability for such a monumental task. This reaction highlights the human tendency to feel inadequate when faced with divine calling. Moses’ doubt serves as a contrast to God’s assurance, underscoring that it is not human strength but God’s power that accomplishes His purposes. Moses’ humility is a key theme throughout his life.
Exodus 3:12 (NKJV)
12 So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
God reassures Moses with the promise of His presence, the most important guarantee for success. The sign given is not immediate but future—after the deliverance, Moses and the Israelites will worship at Horeb, the same mountain where God is speaking to Moses. This promise emphasizes that God’s presence will guide and protect Moses through the challenges ahead. It also points to the worship and relationship that God desires with His people.
Exodus 3:13 (NKJV)
13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
Moses anticipates a natural question from the Israelites: the identity of the God who is sending him. In asking for God's name, Moses is seeking authority and legitimacy for the mission. This question reflects the ancient understanding that knowing a deity’s name was essential for worship and trust. It also sets the stage for one of the most profound revelations of God’s character in Scripture.
Exodus 3:14-15 (NKJV)
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord 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.’
God reveals His divine name, "I AM WHO I AM," which signifies His eternal, self-existent nature. By declaring "I AM," God is communicating that He is the unchanging, ever-present One who exists beyond time and space. He is not bound by limitations, and His promises to the patriarchs still stand. This declaration establishes God’s authority and the eternal nature of His covenant relationship with Israel. The use of "memorial to all generations" reinforces the timeless relevance of God’s name.
Exodus 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt;
17 and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’
God instructs Moses to begin by addressing the elders of Israel, the respected leaders of the people. This ensures that the message is delivered to those with influence over the community. God’s words again emphasize His awareness of their suffering and His intention to rescue them. The promise of a “land flowing with milk and honey” assures the elders that God has a prosperous future planned for them. This also signals the continuity of God's covenant with the patriarchs.
Exodus 3:18 (NKJV)
18 Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’
God assures Moses that the elders will listen to him, but He also provides specific instructions for approaching Pharaoh. The request for a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to God is a test of Pharaoh’s willingness to cooperate with their religious freedom. While the ultimate goal is complete deliverance from Egypt, this initial request highlights Israel's need to worship God freely and indicates the beginning of their spiritual journey out of oppression.
Exodus 3:19-20 (NKJV)
19 But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand.
20 So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.
God predicts Pharaoh’s stubbornness and unwillingness to release the Israelites, even under pressure. This foreknowledge emphasizes God’s control over the situation and prepares Moses for the challenges ahead. God will intervene with powerful miracles, demonstrating His supremacy over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. These "wonders" will not only compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites but also reveal God's power to both Israel and Egypt, setting the stage for the dramatic plagues.
Exodus 3:21-22 (NKJV)
21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed.
22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
God promises not only deliverance but also restoration of the wealth the Israelites deserve after their years of slavery. The "favor" in the sight of the Egyptians indicates a miraculous shift in their attitudes, allowing the Israelites to leave with treasures that signify both compensation and God's abundant provision. The mention of silver, gold, and clothing emphasizes that the Israelites will leave Egypt not as impoverished slaves but as a people richly blessed by God. This is a reversal of fortunes and a sign of God’s justice and faithfulness.