Exodus | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

EXODUS 3

MOSES + THE BURNING BUSH

Moses is out with his sheep in Midian, and God appears to him in the presence of a flaming bush! The bush was on fire, but was not burning to ash. God tells Moses that he is on holy ground, and Moses is afraid.

God tells Moses that He plans to deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians and bring them to a land promised to them. God tells Moses that he is to go to Pharaoh and bring his people out of Egypt.

Moses says, “Who am I to do this?” asking God why He chose him. God promises Moses that He will be with him when he goes before Pharaoh.

Then Moses says, “What if they ask me something about you that I don’t know?” and God tells him to say that the “I AM” has sent him. The phrase “I AM” speaks of God’s eternal nature; He exists in and of Himself. During biblical times, names were chosen to give information about a person or their character. In a similar way, the scriptures often speak of God's names as a way to reveal His character. By saying “I Am” or in some translations “I Am who I Am,” God is communicating that there is no way to fully capture the character of God!

STUDY QUESTIONS

Why do you think God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? What would that have meant to Moses?

God tells Moses His name is “I AM” or “I AM WHO I AM.” What does this name reveal about who God is?