Exodus 3-4

Exodus 3-4

This would set the stage for much of Moses' journey. While Moses led his flock, God appeared to him through a burning bush. During this time, the burning bush and fire represented God's presence. God would go before the Israelites into the land of Canaan. God would protect Israel! God would save Israel from the hand of the Egyptians! The place of the burning bush  was not an ordinary place. "Horeb" is just another name for Mount Sinai and mountain of God. God would tell Moses something that would forever change his view of this place. It was not just the place where he worked leading flocks. It was an ordinary place, but God's presence was there! God told Moses: “Don’t come any closer. Remove your sandals from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground. (3:5)” Moses was coming to know that this place was holy ground, because of God's presence there. It was a place he went to plenty of times (and would continue to go), but something was changing! God's presence was there; God would be using it to meet with and speak to Moses. "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." (Exodus 33:11)

God chose to share with Moses about how He will deliverer Israel and give them their own land. God is very specific about what land he is giving them. Then, God says those few little words: "I am sending you to bring my people out of Egypt!" Moses' responds with a question: Who am I? Who are we to go and do what the Lord calls us to do? It is not us, but HE who works in us! Love the way my study Bible words it: "When the OT says that God is "with" someone, it stresses God's power enables the person to carry out the call." Bold, true statement!

God gave Moses even more insight into what will happen as he follows God wholeheartedly (Exodus 3:16-22). Many powerful signs and wonders will be done as God frees his people. He could instantly free his people, but he chooses a different way. It is through all of this that the Egyptians and many more come to know and follow the Lord. We know that it is through all these things taking place that Rehab came to follow our Lord! (Joshua 2)

When Moses asked God's name (what he should be called), God tells Moses 'I am what I am'. God has no limits! He is ALL powerful! He is worthy of being praised! Moses knew God was all powerful, yet he was still fearful. God knew Moses was scared. God provided him with signs (4: 3-9). The signs would be used for others, but I think they were to reassure Moses that God's got this! Moses needed to trust not in himself, but in God- the holy One!

Moses tried to reject the call God had placed on his life (4:10-16). God's anger was kindled. This was not just dealing with fear. This is Moses continuing to give into the fear, placing it higher than how God wanted to work in his life and the lives of the Israelites. Moses was continuing to make excuses, and even scorning how he was made~ GOD made Moses! He knows all Moses is, and God still desired to use him (4:11-12).

Exodus 4:31: The people believed, and when they heard that the Lord had paid attention to them and that He had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. "Not only has the Lord remembered his covenant promises (2:24), but his people are also called to remember the covenant."