Exodus Chapter 3

At a Glance

  • Exodus 3 recounts the iconic divine encounter at the burning bush.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Chapter 3 functions as the theological hinge of Exodus, presenting the supreme revelation of God’s name and redemptive purpose.
  • - Divine initiative and calling: God initiates deliverance and assigns Moses.
  • - The I AM and personal name: God’s self-revelation anchors authority and presence.

EXODUS CHAPTER 3

Chapter Overview

Exodus 3 recounts the iconic divine encounter at the burning bush. Moses, tending Jethro’s flock, sees a bush that burns without being consumed. God calls Moses by name from the bush, commissioning him to return to Egypt and deliver the Israelites. The divine speech reveals God’s self-identification as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, establishing continuity with the patriarchal promises. God announces awareness of Israel’s oppression and declares a purpose: to lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses expresses doubt about his own adequacy, but God reassures him with the promise of divine presence. A central moment follows: God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that “I AM” has sent him, providing a foundational name and source of authority. Moses asks for credentials; God details signs that will convince both the Israelites and Pharaoh: miraculous wonders, turning staff into serpent, leprous hand, and water turning to blood. The chapter culminates with the divine commissioning and Moses’ reluctant acceptance, marking a turning point from shepherd to prophet and liberator.

Historical & Literary Context

Chapter 3 functions as the theological hinge of Exodus, presenting the supreme revelation of God’s name and redemptive purpose. The event sits within the broader pattern of revelation in the Pentateuch, where God discloses identity, plan, and method for salvation. The setting atop Horeb (Sinai) echoes earlier covenants while foreshadowing the intimate relationship God will establish with Israel through law, ritual, and holy presence. This chapter blends narrative suspense with theological proclamation, establishing the legitimacy of Moses’ mission and grounding it in God’s personal, rescuing action rather than human skill alone.

Key Themes

- Divine initiative and calling: God initiates deliverance and assigns Moses.

- The I AM and personal name: God’s self-revelation anchors authority and presence.

- Covenant faithfulness across generations: God recalls Abrahamic promises to current oppression.

- God’s power to authenticate: signs and wonders validate the messenger.

- Humble reception of vocation: Moses’ reluctance gives way to obedience.

Modern Application

Exodus 3 invites believers to consider God’s voice in ordinary life—behind the daily routines and hiddenness, God may be calling us to participate in something larger than ourselves. The names of God presented here—“I AM”—offer a robust basis for faith: God is not a distant force but a present, personal sovereign who acts in history. The signs given to Moses encourage discernment: God often equips imperfect instruments with supernatural empowerment to accomplish redemptive ends. The chapter also invites trust in God’s timing and plan—opportunity often emerges when we feel unequipped. For communities, it’s a call to listen for God’s voice in the margins (the desert, the overlooked) and to respond with obedience, even if it requires stepping into risk for the sake of others.

Cross-References: 1) Genesis 12, 15, 17 (covenant promises), 2) Luke 1-2 (angelic annunciation and divine calling), 3) Hebrews 11:23-29 (Moses’ faith and leadership), 4) Acts 7:30-34 (the burning bush as divine summons)

Recommended Personas: Moses (central figure of calling), God (the I AM), Aaron (supporting prophetic role)

Chapter Text

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.

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