The Burning Bush

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro when he led the sheep to Horeb, described as the mountain of God. There, the angel of the Lord appeared in a flame of fire from within a bush; though the bush burned, it was not consumed (Exodus 3:1-2). When Moses turned aside to observe the sight, God called to him by name from the bush and commanded him not to come closer and to remove his sandals because the ground was holy (Exodus 3:4-5). God identified himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, stating he had seen the affliction of his people in Egypt and heard their cry. He declared his intention to deliver them and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey, commissioning Moses to go to Pharaoh (Exodus 3:6-10).

Moses questioned his own suitability for the task, asking who he was to go to Pharaoh. God promised to be with him and provided his name as 'I AM WHO I AM,' instructing Moses to tell the Israelites that 'I AM' had sent him (Exodus 3:11-14). God detailed the plan for Moses to gather the elders of Israel and request a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice. The text states God knew the king of Egypt would not let them go unless compelled by a mighty hand, after which the Egyptians would give the Israelites articles of silver, gold, and clothing (Exodus 3:16-22).

To address Moses' concern that the people would not believe him, God provided three signs: Moses' staff turned into a serpent and back into a staff, his hand became leprous and then was restored, and water from the Nile would turn to blood on dry land (Exodus 4:1-9). When Moses cited his lack of eloquence, God asked who had made man's mouth. Moses asked God to send someone else, which caused the anger of the Lord to be kindled against him. Consequently, God appointed Aaron the Levite to serve as a mouth for Moses, stating Aaron would speak to the people while Moses would be as God to him (Exodus 4:10-16). Moses was commanded to take his staff to perform the signs.