Exodus Chapters 3-4

For Further Study

Someone came up to me last week and said, I read Exodus Chapter 3 and this burning bush encounter is something else!  I mean how is something on fire and there are no ashes or other things not catching on fire.  I like our humanness sometimes.  We have it all figured out don't we.  Now I mean that in a humorous way of course, since we are far off from having things figured out.  But we can relate to that both right?  God sometimes does things in a BAM like way and then oftentimes God works through His plan and we are part of the process.

Last week in Chapters 1 and 2 the stage was set for Moses and we learned how the Israelites were oppressed, like really oppressed. We read that Pharaoh had ordered all male babies to be killed, but know of at least one that slipped through the cracks.  We have Moses who was raised up and in an attempt to take matters into his own hands killed an Egyptian before he fled to Midian, which is where we are now…  

To remind us what the word exodus means?  The word "Exodus" itself means "departure" or "exit," and this book chronicles the Israelites' departure from slavery in Egypt, their journey through the wilderness, and their preparation to enter the Promised Land. 

Relevance to Us Today

I like to think the book of Exodus challenges us to consider our obedience to God's commands and our commitment to being His covenant people. This week, we are going to be focusing on Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush and his call to deliver Israel. A theme to watch for is God’s holy presence and His calling in our lives. A challenge for each of us is to respond to God’s call with Faith and obedience despite our fears and inadequacies. 

Read Chapter 3…

Ok, let’s look at some of the main things going on here…

1. The Burning Bush: A Divine Encounter

In the wilderness of Mount Horeb, Moses encounters a burning bush that is not consumed by the fire. This extraordinary sight captures Moses' attention and draws him near. It is here that God reveals Himself to Moses. 

The burning bush symbolizes God's presence—a presence that is awe-inspiring, holy, and life-changing. 

• Just as Moses was drawn to the bush, we too must draw near to God, seeking His presence and listening for His voice.

2. God's Call: A Purpose Beyond Ourselves

God calls Moses by name, "Moses, Moses!" and Moses responds, "Here I am." In this intimate exchange, we see that God's call is personal. He knows us by name and has a unique purpose for each of our lives. God reveals to Moses His plan to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt and to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey. 

• Like Moses, we are called to a purpose that is greater than ourselves—a purpose that aligns with God's divine plan.  

  • How cool to hear your name called by God. Now you might be thinking ... What does that sound like?  Some people can relate to this, some can't. The key to being able to know how God sounds to you or when God is calling you is to invest yourself in the relationship. 

  • Just like a human relationship, taking the time to know someone is what develops intimacy.

3. Moses' Doubt and God's Assurance

Moses expresses doubt about his ability to fulfill God's call, questioning, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" Yet, God reassures him, saying, "I will be with you." This promise of divine presence is a cornerstone of our faith. 

• When we feel inadequate or uncertain, we can trust that God is with us, equipping us for the tasks He has set before us. God's assurance to Moses is a reminder that our strength and success come from Him.

4. God's Name: The Great "I AM"

When Moses asks what he should say if the Israelites inquire about the name of the God who sent him, God declares, "I AM WHO I AM." This revelation of God's name, Yahweh, signifies His eternal, self-existent nature. God is unchanging, ever-present, and all-sufficient. 

• As we go forth in our own callings, we carry the name of the Great "I AM" with us, a name that embodies power, authority, and faithfulness.  Do you believe that?  That you carry His name?  Think of it as a banner that you carry which we will read about later in Exodus Chapter 17.

5. God's Promise of Deliverance

God outlines His plan to deliver the Israelites and instructs Moses to gather the elders of Israel and relay His message. He forewarns that Pharaoh will resist, but He will perform wonders in Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. 

• God's promise of deliverance is a testament to His unwavering commitment to His people, which speaks to His faithfulness. Is there a circumstance in your life that you need to apply this truth to? Do you need to be reminded that He is faithful to His children?

Read Chapter 4…

1. Miraculous Signs: God's Assurance of His Power

God provides Moses with miraculous signs to confirm His divine authority and to convince the Israelites and Pharaoh of His power. These signs include turning Moses' staff into a serpent, making his hand leprous and then healing it, and turning water from the Nile into blood. 

What do the signs show? These signs serve as tangible evidence of God's presence and power. 

• They remind us that when God calls us to a task, He equips us with the resources and abilities we need. We can trust in His power to work through us, even in seemingly impossible situations.

2. Moses' Reluctance: Overcoming Self-Doubt

Despite witnessing these miraculous signs, Moses expresses doubt about his ability to speak eloquently. I can relate….maybe we all can right?  Moses fears that his inadequacies will hinder his mission. Yet, God reassures him, saying, "Who gave human beings their mouths? ... Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Exodus 4:11-12). Moses' reluctance reflects our own struggles with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. God's response is a powerful reminder that He is the source of our strength and wisdom. 

Have you ever thrown a bunch of questions and resistance back at God for something He’s asked you to do? Maybe it was the voice of someone else whom you were speaking with but it was certainly a request from God. He is certainly patient with us and able to withstand our questions. It’s interesting here to see that “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses” in vs 14 . BUT… my response when my anger is kindled and God’s response are very different. This is a fascinating dialog in vs 10-17.

• When we feel insufficient, we must remember that God is with us, guiding our steps and empowering us to fulfill His purpose.

3. The Role of Aaron: God Provides Support

Recognizing Moses' continued hesitation, God appoints Aaron, Moses' brother, to be his spokesperson. Aaron's role demonstrates that God provides support and companionship in our journeys. 

• Just as God provided Aaron to assist Moses, He still places people in our lives to support, encourage, and partner with us in His work. 

• God chose Aaron. Have you ever wanted help and support from one person and it came from another person? Was it a pleasant surprise? Were you disappointed? Were you able to receive His grace in the way He chose to show it?

4. Obedience and Action: Moses Returns to Egypt

With God's assurance and Aaron's support, Moses sets out for Egypt, taking his wife and sons with him. This step of obedience is significant. 

It shows that faith in God must be accompanied by action. Moses' journey back to Egypt marks the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the Israelites. 

• As we trust in God's plans, we must also be willing to take steps of faith, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

5. The Circumcision Incident: The Importance of Covenant

In a brief and mysterious episode, God seeks to kill Moses, but his wife Zipporah intervenes by circumcising their son. This incident points back to or underscores the importance of covenant and obedience to God's commands. 

This actually goes back to Abram when he became Abraham and God gave him a sign of the covenant: circumcision.  There was this “no exceptions” when it came to every male of every household…now while Moses had been circumcised, his son had not…maybe it was that he was out shepherding and kind of stopped living like a Hebrew or maybe he himself was “cutoff” from his people…either way it's not entirely clear but what is clear is that his wife DID circumcise their son and took care of business.  

Another note here is how could you send someone to rescue the circumcised people but not be himself. Lots of stuff to dive into here if you like.  

It serves as a reminder that our relationship with God is based on a covenant that requires our faithfulness and obedience. Let us strive to honor our commitments to God and uphold His commands in our lives.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on Exodus Chapters 3 and 4, we are reminded of God's call, His reassurance, and the importance of obedience. Just as God called Moses from the wilderness along with the encounter at the burning bush, He calls each of us, you, me, by name, inviting us into His presence. 

As I mentioned in the beginning today, a challenge for each of us is to respond to God’s call with faith and obedience, despite our fears and inadequacies.

For Further Thought and Study:

1. What characteristics of God are evident in Exodus 3 and 4?

2. What characteristics do you observe in Moses?

3. Are there any ways in which you can relate to Moses?

4. Where do you see God’s Supremacy?

5. How have you experienced God’s Sufficiency?