OUR DAILY SCRIPTURE : EXODUS 3
BIBLE VERSES:
“When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.?” (Exodus 3:4-6)
“And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:9-12)
“Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:13-15)
MOSES AND THE BURNING BUSH (vs. 1-22)
While Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, he saw a bush in flames of fire, but did not burn up. Curiously, he went to see the strange sight. Then the Lord called to him from within the bush. “Moses, Moses, do not come any closer. Take off your sandal for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (v. 5). The Lord told Moses to speak to Pharaoh and led the Israelites out of Egypt to Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey.
MESSAGE OF THE GRACE OF GOD TO THE ISRAELITES:
- I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt.
- I have heard their crying as slave.
- I am concerned about their suffering.
- I have come down to rescue them and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey.
- I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.
- I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring them out of Egypt.
When God told Moses that he was sending him to Pharaoh, he asked God these questions.
- Who am I? – But God’s reply was his assurance of eternal peace and promise of unchangeable character.
- Who is sending me? – God revealed His name Jehovah – “I am who I am” meaning He is always the same. His purpose will be fulfilled and His word will be done in spite of opposition from Pharaoh.
Moses still hesitated but God assured to be with him. Moses said to God: “If I go and said that the God of your fathers has sent me, aren’t they ask me what is his name? What shall I tell them? (v. 13). God answered: “I am who I am. I am has sent me to you” (v. 14) Go and assemble the elders of Israel and tell them that I appeared to you and promised to bring them out of their misery in Egypt to the land of Canaan – la land flowing with milk and honey ” (v. 16)
The king of Egypt will not allow them to go. But God will stretch his hands and perform wonders before they will let them go. And they will not go empty handed when they leave.
THOUGHTS:
3 fold significance of the burning bush (By Warren Wierske)
- It was a picture of God for it revealed His glory and power that will never be consumed.
- It symbolized Israel going through the time of affliction but not consumed.
- It illustrated Moses, a humble shepherd, who removed his sandals and covered his face when he approach the burning bush. When we come to worship God, we should approach Him with humility, respect and sincerity.
Moses removed his sandals and covered his face when he approach the burning bush. When we come to worship God, we should approach him with humility, respect and sincerity.
Moses felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do. But God offered himself and Aaron to help him do it. When God is asking you to do a difficult task, you should not hide beyond on your inadequacies and make excuses. Instead, you should look beyond yourself to God’s resources and use your unique contribution to accomplish His plan.
God told Moses to tell the people what he saw and heard at the burning bush. One of the most convincing way to tell others about Christ is to relate what He has done for you.