Old Testament · Moses
Moses and the Burning Bush
8 minute readbeginner
A reluctant shepherd, a bush that will not burn up, and the name of God.
By the end of this lesson
Explain the significance of the divine name and Moses' objections at the burning bush.
Passages to read first
- Exodus 3:1-15
- Exodus 4:1-17
Historical context
Moses is eighty, forty years removed from Egypt, working as a shepherd for his father-in-law in Midian — a low-status occupation for a man raised in Pharaoh's household. Horeb, also called Sinai, will later be where the law is given.
The lesson
The bush burns without being consumed, and Moses turns aside to look. God calls him by name and tells him the ground is holy.
The commission is specific: God has seen the affliction of his people, heard their cry, and come down to rescue them — and Moses is to go to Pharaoh.
Moses raises five objections. Who am I? What is your name? What if they do not believe me? I am not eloquent. Please send someone else. God answers each without flattering him. To the first: I will be with you. To the second, the name — I AM WHO I AM — which is both a revelation and a refusal to be reduced to a formula. It speaks of self-existence and covenant presence rather than mere information.
By the last objection God's anger is kindled, and Aaron is given as a spokesman. It is worth noticing that the mission goes ahead anyway.
The call is not based on Moses' competence, and the narrative never pretends otherwise.
People
Moses · Aaron · Jethro · Pharaoh
Places
Midian · Horeb · Sinai · Egypt
Reflection questions
- Which of Moses' five objections sounds most like yours?
- What does I AM WHO I AM suggest about God that a shorter name would not?
- Where has God given you an Aaron rather than removing the task?
Put it into practice
Name one thing you believe you are not qualified for. Write beside it what "I will be with you" would change about the next step.
Cross references
- Exodus 6:2-8
- John 8:58
- Acts 7:30-34
Key takeaway
God calls the unqualified and answers objections with his presence rather than with reassurance about us.
Knowledge check
1 question. Nothing is graded against you — this is just to see what stuck.
1. What name does God give Moses?
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