Commentary on Exodus 3

Exodus 3 marks a pivotal moment in salvation history: God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush. Moses, a shepherd in Midian, encounters the Lord, who commissions him to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. God reveals his covenant name, YHWH, assuring Moses of his presence and power. This chapter sets the stage for the Exodus, establishing God's sovereign initiative and Moses's reluctant but ultimately obedient call.

Historical context

The book of Exodus picks up roughly 400 years after the close of Genesis, with the descendants of Jacob having multiplied greatly in Egypt. The historical context for Exodus 3 specifically places Moses in Midian, a region east of the Gulf of Aqaba, where he had fled after killing an Egyptian (Exod 2:11-15). He had been a shepherd for his father-in-law Jethro for forty years, a period of quiet preparation for the monumental task ahead.

The Israelites, meanwhile, were suffering under severe Egyptian oppression, enslaved and crying out to God. The Pharaoh of this era is often debated, but the oppression was real, reflecting a period when Egypt's power was significant and its labor demands immense. This backdrop of national suffering and Moses's personal exile provides the dramatic tension for God's intervention, highlighting his faithfulness to his covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:1-3; Gen 26:24; Gen 28:13-15).

Verse by verse

• 1:

  Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. This verse establishes Moses's humble occupation and location, far from the royal courts of Egypt, underscoring his transformation from a prince to a shepherd, a common biblical motif for divine preparation.

• 2:

  The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. The bush burned but was not consumed. This miraculous sight is a theophany—a visible manifestation of God. The 'angel of the LORD' is often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, or a divine messenger so closely identified with God that he speaks as God himself.

• 3:

  Moses said, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight; why doesn’t the bush burn up?” His curiosity is natural, drawing him closer to the divine encounter. This willingness to investigate the unusual is a key step in his call.

• 5:

  “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” This command establishes the sacredness of God's presence. Removing sandals was a sign of reverence and humility in the ancient Near East, acknowledging the holiness of the divine encounter.

• 6:

  Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. God identifies himself with the patriarchs, emphasizing his covenant faithfulness to Israel. Moses's fear is a natural response to encountering the holy God.

• 7:

  The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” God reveals his compassionate nature, demonstrating his active awareness and empathy for his suffering people, a powerful assurance of his involvement.

• 8:

  So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey. God states his clear purpose: rescue and relocation to the Promised Land. This reiterates the Abrahamic covenant and foreshadows the Exodus journey.

• 10:

  “Now go; I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people Israel out of Egypt.” This is Moses's direct commission. God's call is not merely a suggestion but a divine imperative, placing Moses at the center of his redemptive plan.

• 11:

  But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Moses's initial response is one of profound inadequacy, highlighting his humility and perhaps his memory of past failures. This is a common human reaction to a divine call.

• 14:

  God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he added, “Say this to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” This is the revelation of God's covenant name, YHWH (often translated “the LORD”). It signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and active presence. It is a promise of his unwavering faithfulness.

• 19:

  “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him.” God foretells Pharaoh's stubborn resistance, preparing Moses for the challenges ahead and emphasizing that the deliverance will be by God's power, not human persuasion.

Key themes

• God's Self-Revelation
• The Call of Moses
• God's Covenant Faithfulness
• Divine Compassion and Deliverance
• The Holiness of God

Application

The encounter at the burning bush in Exodus 3 offers profound lessons for our own walk with God. Just as Moses felt inadequate, we often feel unqualified for the tasks God places before us. Yet, God's call is never based on our ability but on his. His revelation of “I AM WHO I AM” reminds us that his presence is our ultimate resource, not our own strength or wisdom. We are invited to trust in his self-sufficiency and his unwavering commitment to his purposes, even when the path ahead seems daunting.

This chapter also highlights God's deep compassion for the suffering. He sees, he hears, and he acts. For us, this means we can bring our burdens and the burdens of the world to him with confidence, knowing he is intimately concerned. Moreover, like Moses, we are called to participate in God's redemptive work, often in unexpected places and through humble means. Our response to his call, despite our fears, becomes an act of worship and trust in the God who is always present and always faithful.

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