Moses and the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1-22

Within the Pentateuch, there are many genres that are worthy of in-depth exploration and analysis. In the account of Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-22), there is a powerful interaction between Moses and God that is recorded in the Historical Narrative format.

This is true because the story is paraphrased and brings to light the actual real account of Moses’ encounter with God through the Burning Bush. Here, the hero isn’t Moses, rather it is God. This is indicative of how narratives convey this profound truth.

For many, the mention of Moses and the Burning Bush elicit a mixture of wonder, surprise and curiosity. What could this mysterious bush possibly represent? The Burning Bush of the Old Testament is still as mysterious and awe inspiring as it must have been to Moses and God’s servants thousands of years ago. Could it be a wonderful reminder of how faithful God is to His people? Could it be that the sign of the Burning Bush signifies the eternal presence of God? This exegesis will investigate the Burning Bush as a sign of God's eternal presence within the midst of God's chosen people as well as the exploration of three areas Moses and the Burning Bush represent; God’s Covenant with Moses, the Glory of God manifested in the Burning Bush and the true "Promised Land."

Moses and the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1-3

With a 400 year span of silence, God hadn’t had any direct contact with His people. This sets a startling scenario for the beginning of Exodus, Chapter 3. With the birth of Moses, a great destiny and purpose for the Israelites is about to transpire. In his adult years, Moses kills an Egyptian slave master, and must flee. Pharaoh had requested his arrest and certain death. Moses escapes from Egypt to Midian where he becomes a humble and lowly shepherd.

One day, Moses decides to take the flock of sheep he is tending deep into the wilderness near Sinai, when an extraordinary move of God happens. This event is so historical, it will forever change the course of history for the Israelites and all of Israel’s descendants. As Moses is leading the flock of sheep to the back of the desert, he arrives to Horeb, which is known as the Mountain of God. Here, the Angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a flame of fire right from the midst of the bush. Moses exclaims, “Amazing! Why isn’t this bush burning up?” (Exodus 3:3, NIV)

As Moses turns aside to examine this great sight to see why the bush hasn’t been consumed, there are two significant things happening. Not only was a bush burning with fire, but an Angel of the Lord had appeared from the midst of the bush. The Burning Bush was magnetic and it drew Moses in for closer examination. The Burning Bush could be seen as a depiction of God’s grace that draws us to Him. The Hebrew original word for thorn bush originates from the word to stick or to prick מַמְאִיר֙. The thorn bush is symbolic of the figure of the curse (as Adam was cursed); bringing forth thistles and thorns from the earth (Genesis 3:18). Here, the curse is being burned (the picture of judgment) being replaced by God’s grace and mercy.

God Speaks to Moses

Exodus 3:4-6

When the Lord saw that Moses had turned aside to take greater notice, He began speaking to him. “…Moses, Moses” (Exodus 3:4, NIV) “Here am I” exclaimed Moses. Here Moses is told not to draw near this place for it is Holy ground. Moses is instructed to remove his sandals. The All Powerful voice of the Lord begins to speak. “I am the God of your father; the God of Abraham, Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6, NIV). Moses therefore trembled with fear, he could not look at God so he hid his face in his hands. God did not want to begin speaking to Moses until He had his full attention. The Word of God doesn’t always touch our heart the way it could because we don't always give it full attention.

Not only had the Burning Bush caught the attention of Moses, but it couldn’t change anything until Moses received the direct Word of God at that poignant encounter. The Lord used Moses’ name. This is significant because he had become an obscure shepherd and was all but forgotten. Moses shows in this passage that God never forgets who His people are, especially that significant day and that poignant moment in history where Moses was very important to God. Moses was to serve as humanity's intercessor before God. [1]

God asks Moses to do two things. He wants him to keep his distance and He wants Moses to show reverence for Him by removing his sandals; to both honor and humble himself in the intimate presence of God. There will always be a certain distance between God and man. Man will never be completely equal to God, even though eventually closer fellowship will be possible. Now Moses is in God’s house, His immediate and intimate presence.

God chose to reveal Himself to Moses by first declaring who He is through the patriarchs. This is highly significant in this moment of history because it is where God is showing Moses that He is the God of Covenants and His eternal presence exists amongst His people through His covenants. God's self-declaration to Moses, which is a significant part of his self-naming, begins with a repetition of the divine intent. [2]

God’s Covenant with Moses

How does God reveal His true Covenant with Moses in the account of the Burning Bush? Although the word abi, אבי father, is used in (Exodus 3:6) as singular,

Moses applies the plural form of “Fathers.” [3] The God of thy Fathers referred to here are the direct fathers of Moses in his direct lineage. “I am the God of your father; the God of Abraham, Isaac and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6, NIV) Because “Covenant” was the basis of Israel’s relationship with God, it was also God’s plan to initiate the people of Israel to accept the terms of the covenant and to be obedient to them. The Burning Bush narrative characterizes the summary of that relationship in that humankind, through Moses, is now called into a new and fuller intimacy with God. [4] This covenant would allow the people of Israel to have an intimate relationship with God and set them apart as a Holy nation. “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of the descendants after you.” (Genesis 17:7, NIV)

God’s Commission to Moses

Exodus 3:7-10

As the Lord begins to share His plan and vision with Moses, Moses begins to see how the Lord intends to place him into this plan. When the Lord speaks to Moses and says “I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverance at the cruel hands of their slave masters.” (Exodus 3:7, NIV) The Lord makes it clear to Moses that the time in history is now and it is time to deliver them from 400 years of bondage from their cruel slave masters. It is His express will to bring them out of Egypt into a land that is flowing with milk and honey so that He may dwell with them eternally. Here is where the Israelites will hear the divine voice, receive divine disclosure, and discover the root of holiness. [5]

The Lord had promised the land of Canaan to Israel since the day He had promised it to Abraham. Because of God’s compassionate heart, it was His appointed time to move Israel there now. These promises had been made long ago, for God loved His people and wanted to see them freed from captivity. This is true and indicative of God’s relationship with His children today. He will only allow suffering to continue for so long before He appoints a designated time for deliverance.

Moses Answers God

Exodus 3:11-12

Moses is both shocked and surprised when he realizes that God has designated him to go to Pharaoh and convince him to set the captives free. As Moses replies “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites out of captivity?” (Exodus 3:11, NIV) God says to Moses “Certainly I will be with you. This shall be a sign that I have sent you when you have brought the people out of Egypt. You shall serve God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12, NIV).

Forty years prior to this encounter, Moses thought he knew who he was. He'd been prince of Egypt and now a Hebrew shepherd; God's chosen instrument to deliver Israel? Moses felt completely inadequate to be this chosen instrument. How often this is true when we feel God calling us to our destiny, call and purpose.

Should we trust in the Lord and allow Him to perform miracles and draw upon our God-given talents to perform His will in our lives? Although Moses was hesitant, he needed to have more trust in God for what he was being called into. Shouldn’t it be enough that we know God will be with us wherever He takes us? In light of this, the Lord reminds Moses not only will He be with him, but His presence will serve as proof that he has been sent by God. Once the Israelites have been brought out of Egypt, they will be brought to this very mountain. This is a powerful promise; that God would lead three million of his people to this mountain to worship Him and know Him intimately.

The Revelation of God’s Name to Moses

Exodus 3:13-15

When Moses expresses his concern about what he is to say to Pharaoh, God reveals to him His true name. God says to Moses “I AM WHO I AM” which is a reference to Yahweh. As Moses requests the name of God this is significant because the Israelites believed that a name was a reflection of the essence of a person. The Lord chose the name ‘Yahweh’ translated in English as ‘the Lord’ (Exodus 3:15) because it is a name that shows no limit to the nature of God to any other meaning. He is who He says He is, אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה “I am who I am, I will be who I will be."

God Instructs Moses to Speak With the Elders of Israel

Exodus 3:15-18

This is a significant passage because God expresses to Moses “…you shall say to the children of Israel; the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:15, NIV) God is once again reminding Moses of His covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What He has promised to do hundreds of years ago, He is about to fulfill through Moses.

God is also relating to Moses that this is His name forever. It is His memorial of His eternal testimony. God wants Moses to gather all of the elders of Israel together to give them this message “...Tell them that ‘The LORD, who is the God of your ancestors; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob appeared to me in a Burning Bush.” (Exodus 3:16, NIV) “Surely I have visited you and know what has been done to you in Egypt and I will bring you up out of affliction from Egypt to the land I have promised you. It is the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and the Jebusites; a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 3:17, NIV)

When God emphasizes that the Israelites will ‘heed your voice,’ you will go. You along with the elders of Israel will meet with the King of Egypt and say to him "The LORD God of Israel has met with us; now, please let us go three days into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.” (Exodus 3:18, NIV) The story of Moses and the Burning Bush has now become a generative and dominant narrative of human existence before God. This will necessitate us to rest with the concept of ‘holiness’ disclosed here, as passage to the reception of the divine name of God. [6]

As Moses hears the Lord say that the Israelites will heed his voice, it is a reminder of a precious promise. He had been rejected by the Israelites 40 years ago when it seemed all was going well. How often has the life of the believer been rejected by those they esteemed? Moses must have pondered, ‘why would they listen at this time?’ Moses had God guiding his every step. When we have God backing us up, even words that we might express will always accomplish the will of God.

God Expresses How it Will Go With the Egyptians

Exodus 3:19-22

God knew what the outcome of the Egyptian King would be already. He knew that it would take a great display of His power to move the heart of the Pharaoh. This was His plan all along; to show the display of His Glory and His power by striking into the hearts of the Egyptians. “But I know the King of Egypt won’t let you go except under great pressure.” (Exodus 3:19, NIV) Although the elders of Israel would accept the message of God, the Egyptians wouldn’t. God reassures Moses that the Egyptians will be so happy to see the Israelites leave, they will be sent away with raiment, jewels, silver and gold. “….With this clothing, you will dress your sons and daughters. You will be plundering the Egyptians in this way!” (Exodus 6:22, NIV) These treasures would be significant because they would be used to build the tabernacle at the base of Mt. Sinai.

The Glory of God

How is the Glory of God revealed in the account of Moses and the Burning Bush? The burning bush is significant in that it is a precursor for the glory of the Gospel to be set forth. The fire is perceived as a symbol of the deity of God. [7] When Moses beholds this glorious vision, it is a sign of God's eternal presence within the midst of God's chosen people Israel. Immediately, God reaches out to Moses to let him know that He is the Lord God and that he is standing on holy ground. The holy ground is also the ground that the Burning Bush is on.

There, a holy messenger dwells in the midst of the bush. This holy messenger proceeds to profess to Moses the great affliction of His people Israel. He has come to deliver them in a display of glory; God’s ingenious precursor for what is to come. The idea of God being the Savior of man is born. A God who so loves His people, is willing to become a curse for them. Such a powerful display could only be made by a God who wants to have an eternal relationship with His people. The angel or messenger of God in the midst of this burning bush is not consumed by the fire. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but it is the honor of kings to search out a matter." (Proverbs 25:2, NIV)

The True Promised Land

What does the true Promised Land mean in the account of Moses and the Burning Bush? The true Promised Land that God had intended for all of Abraham’s descendants was spiritual, and it was also a spiritual kingdom where the people of God would be protected from God’s wrath. It was a place where God could be eternally present with His people. Moses is chosen by God to be the ‘type’ or figure that would fulfill the freedom of God’s chosen people from spiritual bondage. The Burning Bush was also an allusion to the Menorah or seven-branched lamp stand which represents Moses as constructing at the divine command for the Tabernacle. [8]

Moses would prefigure what would be fulfilled in Christ by setting the people of Israel free from spiritual bondage brought about by the curse. He did so by becoming sin for His chosen people, suffering the fiery wrath of God in their midst, and being raised again without seeing corruption and without being consumed by the fiery judgment. God desired to allow Moses to bridge the gap between the divine and humanity.

God reveals Himself to Moses through the Burning Bush as an image of His glory so that He could display His majesty. It was a visible reminder to Moses and the Israelites of the grave times to come. It was the precursor of God’s holiness and glory He would manifest to the entire nation of Israel. Although God reveals Himself as an unapproachable light, He has shown His faithfulness toward the Israelites that it is not His intent to destroy His people; rather He wants to be their Savior and to lead them out of bondage into the true Promised Land.

References

[1]. Arnow, David. Judaism. Moses and the Human Role in Redemption, Fall/Winter2006, Vol. 55 Issue 3/4, p4-28. 25p.

[2]. Davies, Oliver. Reading the Burning Bush: Voice, World, Holiness, Modern Theology, 22 no 3 Jul 2006, p 439-448. Publication Type: Article, Database: ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials.

[3]. Embry, Bradley. The Endangerment of Moses, Toward a New Reading of Exodus, New Source: Vetus testamentum, 60 no 2 2010, p 177-196. Publication Type: Article, Database: ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials [4]. Feldman, Louis H. Moses in Midian, According to Philo. Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies. Winter 2003, Vol. 21 Issue 2, p1. 20p [5]. Gertz, Jan Christian. The Call of Moses and the Exodus story: a redactional critical study Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 126 no 3 2014, p 451-452. Publication Type: Review, Database: ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials [6]. Junior, Nyasha; Schipper, Jeremy. Mosaic Disability and Identity in Exodus, Biblical Interpretation. 2008, Vol. 16 Issue 5, p428-441. 14p. [7]. Neufeld, Ernest. The Redemption of Moses, Judaism. Winter 93, Vol. 42 Issue 1, p 50. 9p. [8]. Robinson, Bernard P (Bernard Peter) 1938- Moses at the Burning Bush, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 75 Sep 1997, p 107-122