📚 Moses and the Burning Bush
God's call and assurance.
ℹ️ Story Information
💎 Key Verse
"Exodus 3:14 - 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.'"
🌍 Story Background
After killing an Egyptian and fleeing to Midian, Moses had been living as a shepherd for forty years, far from his people and his calling. He had married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, and was tending his father-in-law's flock. This was a time of preparation and waiting, as God was preparing Moses for his ultimate mission. The burning bush encounter marked the turning point from Moses' life of exile to his calling as Israel's deliverer.
👥 Characters
Moses
Former prince, current shepherd, future deliverer
A man who had experienced both privilege and exile, now living a quiet life as a shepherd, but chosen by God for a great mission
Humble, hesitant, obedient, faithful
From exiled shepherd to confident leader of God's people
God
Divine caller and revealer
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who appears in a miraculous burning bush to call Moses to deliver His people
Holy, powerful, patient, calling, revealing
Appears miraculously, reveals His name, commissions Moses, provides assurance
📖 Story Plot
The Shepherd's Routine
Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, leading them beyond the wilderness to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Shows Moses' ordinary life and God's timing in calling him
The Miraculous Sight
The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in flames of fire from within a bush, which burned but was not consumed.
God's supernatural intervention to get Moses' attention
Moses' Curiosity
Moses saw the bush burning but not consumed, so he turned aside to look at this great sight.
Moses' willingness to investigate God's miraculous work
God's Call
When the Lord saw Moses turning aside, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses, Moses!'
Personal call from God, showing His intimate knowledge of Moses
Moses' Response
Moses answered, 'Here I am,' showing his readiness to respond to God's call.
Moses' immediate obedience and availability
The Holy Ground
God told Moses not to come near, to take off his sandals, for the place where he stood was holy ground.
God's holiness and the sacredness of His presence
God's Self-Revelation
God identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses hid his face in fear.
God's identity and Moses' reverent fear
The Mission Revealed
God told Moses He had seen the misery of His people in Egypt and was sending Moses to deliver them.
God's compassion and His plan for deliverance
Moses' Objection
Moses asked, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?'
Moses' humility and self-doubt
God's Assurance
God promised to be with Moses and gave him a sign that would confirm his mission.
God's presence and confirmation of His call
The Name Revelation
Moses asked for God's name, and God revealed Himself as 'I AM WHO I AM,' the self-existent, eternal God.
God's eternal nature and self-sufficiency
The Commission
God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites that 'I AM' had sent him to deliver them.
Moses' official commission and authority
💡 Key Lessons
God calls us in our ordinary moments and circumstances
God's presence makes any place holy ground
God equips those He calls, even when they feel inadequate
God's timing is perfect, often involving years of preparation
God reveals Himself progressively to those who seek Him
God's call often comes with His assurance and presence
God can use our past experiences to prepare us for future ministry
God's name reveals His character and eternal nature
🔍 Symbolism & Meaning
The Burning Bush
God's presence that doesn't consume but transforms, His miraculous intervention
Holy Ground
Any place where God reveals Himself becomes sacred and requires reverence
Removing Sandals
Reverence, humility, and recognition of God's holiness
The Mountain of God
Place of divine revelation and encounter
I AM WHO I AM
God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant faithfulness
⏰ Historical Context
Cultural Setting
Approximately 1446 BC, during the Egyptian New Kingdom
Egyptian hierarchy, Hebrew slavery, Midianite tribal organization
Religious Practices
Egyptian polytheism, Hebrew monotheism, Midianite worship
Egyptian oppression, Hebrew slavery, Midianite nomadic culture
✝️ Theological Themes
Divine Calling
God personally calls individuals to specific missions and purposes
God's Holiness
God's presence makes places and moments holy, requiring reverence
Divine Presence
God promises to be with those He calls, providing strength and assurance
Progressive Revelation
God reveals Himself and His plans gradually, building understanding
🚀 Modern Applications
Recognizing God's call in our daily lives and work
Creating sacred spaces for worship and prayer
Trusting God's timing in our life's journey
Overcoming feelings of inadequacy with God's assurance
Understanding that God prepares us through life experiences
Responding immediately to God's call and direction
Recognizing that any place can become holy through God's presence
❓ Discussion Questions
Personal Calling
How has God called you in your ordinary life circumstances?
What feelings of inadequacy do you have about God's call on your life?
How has God prepared you through past experiences?
God's Presence
Where do you experience 'holy ground' in your life?
How do you show reverence when you sense God's presence?
What does it mean that God is always with you?
Response to God
How quickly do you respond when God calls you?
What objections do you raise when God asks you to do something?
How can you be more available to God's call?
Cross References
Acts 7:30-35
"Stephen's recounting of Moses' burning bush experience"
Matthew 22:32
"Jesus references God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"
John 8:58
"Jesus says 'Before Abraham was, I AM,' claiming deity"
Revelation 1:8
"God declares 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come.'"
Hebrews 11:27
"By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible."
Personal Reflection
God's Call in Your Life
What is God calling you to do that you feel inadequate for?
Holy Ground Moments
When have you experienced a 'holy ground' moment with God?
Overcoming Inadequacy
How can you trust God's assurance when you feel unqualified?
God's Timing
What are you waiting for God to reveal or accomplish in His timing?
Immediate Obedience
How quickly do you respond when God calls you to action?
Memory Verses
Exodus 3:14
"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 3:5
"Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground."
Exodus 3:12
"And God said, 'I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you.'"
👨👩👧👦 Family Activities
Holy Ground Creation
Create a special prayer space in your home and explain its significance.
Burning Bush Craft
Make a paper burning bush with tissue paper flames to represent God's presence.
Call and Response Game
Practice responding immediately to calls, teaching obedience and availability.
Moses' Journey Map
Create a map showing Moses' journey from Egypt to Midian to the burning bush.
🔬 Further Study Resources
Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication
by Charles Swindoll
Biographical study of Moses' life and leadership
The Burning Bush: Divine Revelation in Exodus
from Biblical Archaeology Review
Archaeological and historical context of the burning bush story
Moses and the Burning Bush
from Bible Project
Visual exploration of God's call and revelation
Responding to God's Call
from InterVarsity Press
Practical guide to recognizing and responding to God's call
🙏 A Prayer for Reflection
"Heavenly Father, as we reflect on the story of Cain and Abel, help us to examine our own hearts.
Teach us to bring our best offerings to You with a spirit of worship and gratitude.
Guard our hearts against jealousy and anger, and help us to rule over sin when it crouches at our door.
Remind us that we are indeed our brother's keeper, called to love and care for one another.
Thank You for Your warnings, Your mercy, and Your protection.
In Jesus' name, Amen."
Take a moment to reflect on this story and how it applies to your life today.