World English Bible
- Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s mountain, to Horeb.
- The LORD’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
- Moses said, “I will go now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”
- When the LORD saw that he came over to see, God called to him out of the middle of the bush, and said, “Moses! Moses!” He said, “Here I am.”
- He said, “Don’t come close. Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing on is holy ground.”
- Moreover he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.
- 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, for I know their sorrows.
- 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 large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
- Now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to me. Moreover I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
- Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
- Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
- He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
- Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”
- God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
- God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘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 this is my memorial to all generations.
- Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ’The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.
- I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’
- They will listen to your voice. You shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD, our God.’
- I know that the king of Egypt won’t give you permission to go, no, not by a mighty hand.
- I will reach out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do among them, and after that he will let you go.
- I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and it will happen that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed.
- But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing. You shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You shall plunder the Egyptians.”
Encountering the Holy: Standing on Sacred Ground
In the quiet barrenness of the Midian wilderness, Moses shepherded the flock away from the noise of Egypt. Yet, centered within this stark stillness, God Himself broke forth in holy fire—a bush ablaze but miraculously unconsumed.
“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.’” (Exodus 3:4-5, New International Version)
It is striking how God reveals Himself—not in a grand palace or splendid temple, but through an ordinary desert shrub. Such poignant simplicity teaches us that God’s sacredness permeates the everyday. We often overlook how holiness quietly intersects our mundane lives. The removal of sandals signaled profound humility, a cultural mark of respect common in ancient Near Eastern traditions, as one would enter the presence of a mighty king or deity barefoot, symbolizing vulnerability before majesty (see Joshua 5:15).
Theologian John Calvin insightfully notes, “The bush that burns but is not destroyed symbolizes Israel suffering in the fires of oppression yet preserved by God’s grace.” The same fiery trials that we experience might feel consuming, yet are precisely where God often chooses to meet with us in gentle, powerful revelation.
Reflect: Have you sensed God’s sacred presence in unexpected “ordinary” moments? Are there ways you might need to approach God with renewed reverence and humility?
In verses 13-15, we encounter that profoundly mysterious moment when God chooses the sacred revelation of His personal name:
“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.”’” (Exodus 3:14, New International Version)
Here, we encounter the Hebrew name יהוה (“YHWH,” often rendered “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”), derived from the verb hâyâh meaning “to be.” God’s revealed name—“I AM WHO I AM”—transcends merely naming Him; it proclaims God’s eternal self-existence, self-sufficiency, and ever-present nearness to His people.
Historically, rabbis and Jewish scribes viewed this name as too sacred even to pronounce, instead substituting “Adonai” (Lord). This reverential tradition reminds us of something we may overlook—our words, our references to God, carry weight and sacred responsibility. Martin Luther interpreted this passage as revealing not only God’s eternal presence, but His covenantal faithfulness, the Great “I AM” who fulfils every promise to His people (cross-reference: John 8:58, Revelation 1:8).
Reflect: What significance does God’s eternal name hold in your daily walk? How does knowing God as “I AM” comfort and strengthen your faith?
God’s call upon Moses wasn’t simply for a personal encounter but to lead a people out from oppression. Deliverance and rescue are central motifs of God’s nature and mission throughout Scripture. God instructs Moses that the Israelites will not only escape bondage but will “plunder the Egyptians” (Exodus 3:22), symbolically reclaiming what had wrongfully been denied them during slavery.
Archaeologically and historically, it was customary in Ancient Near Eastern cultures for departing peoples or freed slaves to claim goods (either willingly or as reparation). God’s instructions follow ancient cultural practices while symbolically signifying justice and restoration. This demonstrates beautifully God’s character as a God of restorative justice (compare Genesis 15:14, Psalm 105:37).
Reflect:
How has God led you from bondage into freedom? Where might God be asking
you to help lead others into spiritual and emotional freedom?
Consider reflecting today upon the lyrics of “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise,” a hymn richly echoing the truths of Exodus 3’s revelation of God’s hidden glory and transcendent character.
Heavenly Father, great “I AM,” in awe we approach Your holy presence today. Forgive us for our casual irreverence; teach us humility and wonder again. Open our eyes and hearts to see Your holiness in everyday places and people, even in times of difficulty. Strengthen us, Lord, to obey Your call as we lead, serve, and proclaim Your freedom; through Jesus Christ, our eternal Savior, Amen.