The big picture
Moses, the Hebrew man raised in Pharaoh's household, now lives in Midian, a land outside Egypt, the kingdom where Israel is enslaved. He tends sheep for Jethro, his father-in-law and a priest of Midian. The previous chapter named Reuel as the father who gave his daughter to Moses. While leading the flock, Moses reaches Horeb, the mountain called the mountain of God here. Flames cover a bush there, yet the plant remains intact. God speaks from the fire and identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Israel's ancestors. Then God sends Moses back to Pharaoh, Egypt's king.
In this chapter
- God Speaks from the Burning Bush Exodus 3:1-6
Moses is tending Jethro's sheep when he leads the flock to Horeb.
- God Sends Moses Back to Egypt Exodus 3:7-12
From the bush, God tells Moses that he has seen Israel's suffering and heard their cries under Egyptian taskmasters.
- God Gives Moses His Name Exodus 3:13-15
Moses asks what he should say if the Israelites ask the name of the God who sent him.
- Moses Must Gather Israel's Elders Exodus 3:16-18
Next, Moses must gather the elders of Israel, the recognized senior leaders among the people.
- God Foretells Pharaoh's Resistance Exodus 3:19-22
At the end, God tells Moses that Egypt's king will not willingly let Israel go.
Central truth
God reveals himself to Moses, declares that he has seen Israel's suffering, and sends Moses back to Egypt to lead them out.
Scripture beside the summary
Exodus · King James Version · 22Exodus 3:1-6
God Speaks from the Burning Bush
Moses is tending Jethro's sheep when he leads the flock to Horeb. There he notices flames rising from a bush, but the plant does not burn away. The angel of the LORD appears in the flame. God then calls Moses by name from the bush, and Moses answers. God tells him not to come closer and to remove his shoes. The ground is holy because God is present there. God identifies himself as the God of Moses' father and of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses hides his face because he is afraid to look at God. Before any mission is given, Moses faces the holiness of the one speaking.
In everyday life
A maintenance worker approaches a sealed research room after spotting an unusual alarm. The lab director stops him before he crosses the marked line. The worker removes what the director requires and waits for instructions. An ordinary floor has become restricted because of who controls the space. Horeb is holy because God is present, not because of workplace rules.
Notice
Exodus 3:5 Before any mission begins, God tells Moses to remove his shoes. The first concern is God's holiness, not Moses' usefulness or skill.
Exodus 3:1-6
King James Version1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy 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 upon God.
Exodus 3:7-12
God Sends Moses Back to Egypt
From the bush, God tells Moses that he has seen Israel's suffering and heard their cries under Egyptian taskmasters. He knows their pain and says he has come down to deliver them. He will bring them to a broad and fertile land now occupied by several peoples. Then God gives Moses a part in that rescue. Moses must go to Pharaoh and bring Israel out of Egypt. Moses asks who he is to do such a thing. God does not praise Moses' ability. He promises to be with him. God also gives a future sign: after the rescue, Israel will worship him at this mountain.
In everyday life
A water director learns that a neighbourhood's supply is contaminated. She sends a reluctant field supervisor to shut the source and organize safe water. He asks why he should carry such responsibility. She answers by promising her full backing. Moses must confront a king and lead a people, far beyond a utility emergency.
Notice
Exodus 3:12 The promised sign comes after Israel leaves Egypt and returns to this mountain. Moses must begin before he sees that confirmation fulfilled.
Exodus 3:7-12
King James Version7And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
11And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
Exodus 3:13-15
God Gives Moses His Name
Moses asks what he should say if the Israelites ask the name of the God who sent him. God answers I AM THAT I AM and tells Moses to say that I AM sent him. He also identifies himself as the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The answer connects Moses' mission with the God already tied to Israel's ancestors. God says this is his name for ever and his memorial through all generations. Moses is not being sent with a new god or a private claim. He is told exactly how to identify the one who has sent him.
In everyday life
A lawyer meets heirs who doubt that she has authority to handle an estate. She states the exact legal name on the governing papers and points to the same family agreement they already know. Her authority rests on a known identity and prior commitment. God's name is not a legal label; it identifies the divine speaker himself.
Notice
Exodus 3:15 God links his name with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses is sent by the God already connected with Israel's ancestral promises.
Exodus 3:13-15
King James Version13And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
15And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Exodus 3:16-18
Moses Must Gather Israel's Elders
Next, Moses must gather the elders of Israel, the recognized senior leaders among the people. He must tell them that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has appeared to him. He must also say that God has seen what Egypt is doing to Israel. God promises to bring them out of their suffering into the land already named. He says the elders will listen to Moses. Then Moses and the elders must go together to Egypt's king. They will ask for permission to travel three days into the wilderness and sacrifice to their God. Moses is not sent to face Israel or Pharaoh entirely alone.
In everyday life
A dockworker chosen as spokesman gathers the senior crew leaders before a hard negotiation. He explains the plan, then walks into management with them beside him. The request comes from a group with recognized leaders, not from one isolated worker. Israel's elders are not a labour union, and Moses speaks because God sends him.
Notice
Exodus 3:18 Moses is told to approach Pharaoh with Israel's elders. The first confrontation is planned as a public delegation, not a private visit by one man.
Exodus 3:16-18
King James Version16Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
17And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
18And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
Exodus 3:19-22
God Foretells Pharaoh's Resistance
At the end, God tells Moses that Egypt's king will not willingly let Israel go. Release will require God's mighty action. God says he will strike Egypt with wonders. After that, Pharaoh will let the people leave. God also says the Israelites will receive favour from Egyptians. When they depart, women will ask neighbours and other women living nearby for silver, gold and clothing. Their sons and daughters will carry these goods. Israel will not leave slavery empty-handed. The closing words describe this as spoiling Egypt. Their departure will include freedom and material goods from the society that had forced them to labour.
In everyday life
A group of farmworkers leaves an employer after years of withheld wages and harsh control. Their final settlement includes both release from the job and payment they were denied. They walk away free and with goods owed to them. Exodus describes divine judgment and national deliverance, not a modern wage settlement.
Notice
Exodus 3:22 Israel is told that departure will include silver, gold and clothing. Former slaves will leave with material wealth rather than walking out empty-handed.
Exodus 3:19-22
King James Version19And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
20And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
21And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
22But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Exodus 3:1 begins with “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of…”
Where the chapter turns
Exodus 3:11 forms a natural hinge: “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
The final note
Exodus 3:22 leaves the reader with “But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Egypt, Moses, Israel, LORD, children, bush help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- nigh
- Near, as in do not come any closer.
- token
- A sign or confirming mark that something is true.
- hearken
- Listen carefully and respond to what is said.
- sojourneth
- Lives temporarily in a place without being a permanent resident.
- raiment
- Clothing, garments or other items worn on the body.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
