Burning Bush

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Book: Exodus 3:1 — 4:17
• Summary: God appears to Moses in a bush that burns but is not consumed, calling him to deliver Israel from Egypt.

Details

While Moses was tending Jethro’s flock in the desert of Mount Sinai (Horeb), he saw a bush burning with fire that was not consumed. God called from the bush, identifying Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He revealed He had seen Israel’s affliction and would deliver them.

God gave Moses His divine name: “I AM THAT I AM” (Yahweh). Moses objected five times — “who am I?”, “who is the LORD?”, “they won’t believe me”, “I can’t speak well”, “send someone else.” God answered each objection with signs (staff to serpent, leprous hand, water to blood) and appointed Aaron as spokesperson.

Key People Involved

• Moses — Called by God
• God (Yahweh) — Revealed His name

Key Places

• Mount Sinai (Horeb)

Important Verses

• “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.” — Exodus 3:2
• “And the LORD said, I AM THAT I AM.” — Exodus 3:14

Cross-References

• John 8:58 — Jesus: “Before Abraham was, I AM”
• Hebrews 3:1-4 — Moses faithful as a servant
• Acts 7:30-34 — Stephen’s retelling