Moses’ Story: The Flame of Fire

Exodus 2:23-3:10

Personal Note: Thanks again for making this journey through God’s story in God’s people. During our time, we are repeatedly seeing the four threads that run through the Bible: Who God is. Who we are. How to know God. How to walk with God. Below are the ten signposts that help us understand the flow of the Bible. I describe each of them in more detail in the Weekend Recharge. We have an exciting journey ahead of us. 

Today, we’ll consider Moses and the bush that wouldn’t stop burning!

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

Here’s where we are so far in our journey together: 

CREATION                               ABRAHAM                              MOSES
Adam and Eve                       Abraham and Sarah             Israel Enslaved
Cain and Abel                        Lot                                          Moses Rescued
Noah and the flood               Isaac and Rebekah               Moses in Midian
Lamech and Enoch               Jacob, Rachel, and Leah                     
Tower of Babel                       Joseph

From age forty to eighty, Moses lived in Midian and tended his father-in-law’s sheep.[1] We can assume that questions about his purpose occupied his mind during those years away from his homeland. The passionate deliverer was now an octogenarian shepherd, caring for someone else’s flock. Surely God had forgotten him! There is an important lesson here: Regardless of your age, God is not finished with you. 

Israel also felt that God had forgotten them. 

During those forty years, the people of Israel cried out to God, pleading for his help. Now it was God’s time to act. He “heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Ex. 2:24-25). God never forgot his covenant. This wording simply means that now was his time to enact Israel’s deliverance. 

As a shepherd, Moses had traveled throughout the area around Mt. Horeb, also known as Mt. Sinai, so he was very familiar with the territory. That was part of God’s training plan. Moses would spend many years leading the Israelites throughout this region and would have a special meeting with God on Mt. Sinai. But at this point, Moses knew none of that. To him, Sinai was just another place to find food for the flocks and another mountain to navigate around. 

One day, Moses was grazing the sheep near Mt. Horeb when he noticed a strange sight. He saw a solitary bush on fire, yet it was not consumed. Remember, Moses is writing this, so it is a first-hand account. Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned” (Ex. 3:3). 

Exodus 3:4-6
When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 

Three important observations I want us to note from this encounter: 

First, in Exodus 3:2, we read that “the angel of the Lord appeared to [Moses] in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.” I understand “the angel of the LORD” to be the pre-incarnate Christ Jesus, before he took on flesh. This is confirmed when Moses recognizes that it is God speaking, so he hides his face, “for he was afraid to look at God” (Ex. 3:6). Therefore, I believe the One who delivered us from the slavery of our sins is the One who appointed Moses to deliver Israel from slavery. 

Second, God’s introduction as the “God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” cannot be overlooked. God reminds Moses that he is the One who made a covenant with his people. The Abrahamic Covenant was given to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-8), repeated to Isaac (Gen. 26:2-5), and to Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15; 35:9-12). The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. Remember, he is the same God today and always keeps his promises.

Finally, the ground where Moses stands is holy because of God’s presence. Wherever God is, that place is holy. Therefore, since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we are holy (Heb. 10:10, 14 NIV). 

At the burning bush, God explained that it was time for Israel to be delivered from their oppression and to enter the land God had prepared for them (Ex. 3:7-10). Moses was the one he was sending to bring his people out of Egypt. 

Only one problem. Moses doesn’t want the assignment. Has God ever given you a task you didn’t want to take on?

We’ll consider Moses’ excuses next time. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Exodus 2:23-3:10:  How has God used past seasons to prepare you for future service?

Talking to God: Ask God to show you how he is preparing you now.

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SAVE THE DATE: Bible Immersion trip to Israel: November 4-14, 2026.

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