October 3, 2020
The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt. After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance. God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance.
Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.
Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.
Exodus 3
The Burning Bush
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 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.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 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.
7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘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, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, 22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- Though we will most likely never encounter God’s presence in a burning bush, how does Moses’ experience encourage you about forgiveness and second chances?
- What does do verses 10-14 have to say about our human inadequacies and God’s power and authority?
- What does it say about the character of God that he would send Moses back to Egypt to those in need?
Prayer: Lord, I see how you heard the cries of your people and their sufferings, and you had compassion on them and were moved to rescue them. I believe you can use me for your glory despite my inadequacies. You are holy and just and compassionate beyond measure. My soul will praise your name! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Father,
How will I see you today? Help me to be looking for you. What angels will you send across my path?
Father, you called Moses to do a task that only you could accomplish. What tasks do set before me today and tomorrow and beyond?
Father, there are so many that are hurting and filled with worry about today. When they cry out to you, hear them, touch them, whisper to them ‘Everything will be O.K. Trust me, I have your back’.
Father, show your love and mercy to my family and friends. Fill our cups with your Holy spirit.
Bless our church, Father, with the new Pastor that you will call to lead. Touch his heart in preparation of your call.
There are so many afflicted by the virus today. Heal them, strengthen them, comfort them. Father, you know all of them by name. Favor none over another, but Father, touch them all.
May your church hear and follow your voice this day.
Now, Father, let’s be going to rescue one more soul.
For and in the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
Dear Heavenly Father,
It is very comforting to know how You have recued so many in the past from their afflictions and I have faith that You will rescue us all once again in Your timing. Please give us patience to be still and wait on You. In the meantime, I will honor and serve You as my God and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
AMEN and HALLELUJAH !!! I will be your servant my Lord and Savior. Help your people to get through this season of our lives. My faith in you is forever. Only you can bring us through this. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
The account of Moses to me is one of the amazing stories in the Bible. No other mortal man has stirred my soul like him. There is no other quite like him.
The beauty of Your creation speaks daily to my heart of the certainty of Your presence, almighty and everlasting God. Help me help others who are seeking You.
Lord God, we know that Moses was called a “friend of God”.
I pray that I will live so I can be called a “friend of God”. Moses stood in the breach and was able to convince God not to destroy all of the people. Help me to be like Jesus and Moses and be willing to sacrifice myself to help other people. Holy Father, PLease help our nation to turn back to you, save our Nation, help us be consecrated to you and help us to serve you and honor you.
Please make the covid plague go away and heal our nation of it and the other evils that we have here in our nation. Thank you God for saving me. Amen
God sees, hears, and knows our suffering. He delivers us from suffering by working in and through us as we serve Him, providing us all we need along the way. God is good.