Exploring the Scripture

These 15 verses of Exodus confirm a basic understanding of the interrelation between the Israelites and God. God has compassion for their suffering. God journeys with them and calls leaders to release them from bondage and oppression. God promises to stay with them in their suffering and victories. The God of the Israelites is the awesome and indescribable divine-existence of past, present, and future. God self-identifies as “I AM WHO I AM” as represented by the tetragrammaton, YHWH. Many English translations use “the Lord” in place of YHWH. Although Moses is the protagonist of the Book of Exodus, these 15 verses focus on YHWH’s nature and interrelation with God’s people.

Moses fits a familiar model of significant figures in the Hebrew Bible. His early life is one of struggle and an unlikely prelude to his becoming a person of significance. After being introduced in Exodus 2, we find Moses living the life of a lowly shepherd tending his father-inlaw’s flock at Mount Horeb in Exodus 3. He describes himself as “an alien residing in a foreign land” (Exodus 2:22) because he was in self-exile for killing an Egyptian guard. Before the murder, Moses was the adopted son of an Egyptian princess. He lived in two disparate worlds as a prince and as a son of slaves. He was born a Hebrew slave and was saved from execution by the wily actions of his mother and sister. His significance is not fully recognized from self-initiation but as a call of God.

Exodus 3:1 describes Mount Horeb as the “mountain of God.” The name implies a desert. On this mountain desert, also the location where he later receives the Law, Moses encounters YHWH. The angel of the Lord appears in a burning bush that is not consumed. Only when Moses chooses to “turn aside and look at this great sight” (v. 3) does he hear God’s call and recognize he is on holy ground. YHWH expresses compassion for the Israelites and calls Moses into action. Moses twice responds with serious doubts about filling this calling (in later verses he tries to decline three more times). YHWH answers Moses’ hesitations by assuring steadfast divine faithfulness. Moses becomes a heroic figure for the Israelites as he reluctantly accepts his call from YHWH.

Exodus 3 has important parallels for present-day people of the Living God. Our lives may appear ordinary, with minimal significance in the world. However, when we are willing to turn our attention to the Divine Presence, we, too, have important work to fulfill to benefit the world. In our hesitation, God assures us we do not journey alone because of God’s awesome, indescribable, steadfast faithfulness.

Faith Unfiltered Podcast

Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

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Central Ideas

1. Paying attention to burning bushes causes us to recognize we are on holy ground.
2. God’s hope is for compassion and freedom from oppression.
3. God’s steadfast presence empowers Moses to serve despite his reluctance.

Questions to Consider

1. When has God’s presence powerfully caught your attention?
2. When have you tried to confine God?
3. How does God continue to assure you that you are not serving alone?