LESSON AIM

1. We will learn how GOD can use anyone, not only to deliver HIS WORD, but also to act as HIS DELIVERER.

KEEP IN MIND

“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).

This Scripture passage begins with Moses tending his father-in-law’s flocks out in the wilderness. Suddenly he sees a bush that is burning but is not being consumed, so he draws near to get a closer look. Then GOD speaks to Moses from the bush and tells him that HE has seen the misery of the Israelites and is going to use Moses to bring the people out of Egypt.

By way of background, Moses fled for his life after killing an Egyptian who was brutalizing an Israelite. Moses was trying to deliver his fellow Israelites from the bondage of the Egyptians. While in the wilderness, Moses met Jethro; in time, Jethro gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. Zipporah bore children for Moses, and Moses began to tend to his father-in-law’s sheep in the wilderness. GOD used the sheep to teach Moses patience and the wilderness to teach him humility. GOD used 40 years in the wilderness as a time of refining for Moses, to remove anything that would be a hindrance, not only to where GOD was taking Moses, but also what GOD would do through him.

While tending the sheep, Moses saw a bush on fire, yet the fire did not consume it. As Moses focused on this strange sight, GOD CALLED TO MOSES from the burning bush. GOD told Moses to remove his sandals, because the place where he was standing was HOLY GROUND. GOD began to tell Moses about HIS passionate concern for HIS PEOPLE. GOD revealed to Moses HIS PLAN to deliver them from Egyptian oppression and bring them before this very mountain to worship HIM. HE CALLED and EQUIPPED MOSES to play an important role in HIS PLAN.GOD not only told Moses that HE would be with him, HE also shared with Moses WHO HE WAS.

After 40 years of not speaking Egyptian, Moses’ ability to speak the language had become quite rusty. The result was his slowness in speech (Exodus 4:10). Therefore, GOD allowed Moses’ brother, Aaron, to be a spokesperson for him (vv.14-16). GOD would give Moses the words to say, and Moses would in turn tell Aaron what the LORD had said so that Aaron could tell the people. When the Children of Israel heard what GOD had said to Moses, they believed and knelt down to worship GOD.

GOD hardened the heart of Pharaoh. Thus, Pharaoh spurned Moses’ request to let GOD’S PEOPLE GO. We do not know whether GOD hardened Pharaoh’s heart to show forth HIS GLORY or for other reasons. But GOD wanted the Children of Israel to know without a shadow of a doubt that it was not Pharaoh’s kindness, Moses’ rod, or even Aaron’s eloquent words that set them free. It was GOD ALMIGHTY: I AM THAT I AM. It was HIS POWER, which released them. GOD provided Moses with a token for the Children of Israel to that HE had sent him. Moses met Aaron, his brother, in the wilderness and shared with him all that GOD had spoken and done. Aaron and Moses then went before the Children of Israel and shared with them what I AM THAT I AM had said. The Children of Israel were moved that GOD would look upon their afflictions and choose to deliver them. They then bowed their heads and began to worship GOD.

1. GOD APPEARS TO MOSES IN A BURNING BUSH (Exodus 3:1-4)

In verse 1, we find that Moses was carrying out his usual work as a shepherd. The verb “to keep” (Heb. Hayah, haw-yaw) used in the sentence is a participle expressing the continuance of the occupation. It was his habitual occupation. Moses had become the shepherd of Jethro, his father-in-law. Jethro, called Reuel in Exodus 2:18, is probably a title meaning “eminence” or “highness.” The story took place many years after Moses fled from Egypt to Midian. According to Acts 7:30, it was 40 years later.

One day Moses led the sheep as far a Horeb, the mountain of GOD. Horeb is called the mountain of GOD either because GOD would first reveal HIMSELF there to Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 3:1; 18:5; 24:13), or it was already known as a sacred place. Horeb and Sanai are two names for the same mountain or group of mountains (1 Kings 8:9; 19:8; Psalms 68:8). Moses passed through the desert before reaching the pastureland of Horeb.

Thus, before GOD appeared to him, Moses was hidden on the backside of the desert. The word “backside” (Heb. Achar, akh-ar’) can be understood as the west side of the desert—for in Semitic thought, one faces east when giving compass directions.

Moses did not go to Horeb, the mountain of GOD, with a religious intention. He went just to take care of his father-in-law’s flock. But GOD used this time to build Moses’ character, develop his personality, and mold and make him into what GOD wanted him to be—a true leader. He removed the ways of Egypt from Moses, refined the parts HE needed to use—even Moses’ temper—and produced patience in him by having him tend his father-in-law’s sheep. Like people, sheep do not always move the way you want them to or as quickly as you would like. Therefore, GOD used these stubborn animals to teach Moses patience, the patience he would need in dealing with the Children of Israel—a stubborn, stiff-necked, hardheaded people. In fact, Moses went from the life of an Egyptian prince, where everything was done for him, to being a lowly shepherd, where he had to do everything for himself.

While Moses was tending the sheep, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame out of the midst of a burning bush (v.2). Deuteronomy 4:24 says, “For the LORD you GOD is a consuming fire.” GOD consumes us in order to refine us—but HE will devour our enemies (9:3). GOD used a bush that was on fire, yet not consumed, to fascinate Moses. There are times in our lives when GOD will use something or someone to get our attention so HE can speak to us. When GOD saw that HE had Moses’ attention, HE called to him. Upon hearing GOD’S CALL, Moses replied, “Here am I” (Exodus 3:4). GOD is trying to get our attention and then call us unto HIMSELF. When we hear HIS CALL, we should respond like Moses: “Here am I.” We should also allow HIM to mold and make us into what HE wants us to be.

2. GOD REVEALS HIS PLAN (vv.5-12)

In verse 5, Moses was told not to come near. The term “draw nigh” (Heb. qarab, kaw-rab) can be translated in modern language as “stop coming near, as you are doing.” Moses did not recognize the presence or the nature of GOD. Later, after his experience with the LORD, he would be ready to draw near the LORD and intercede for others (see Exodus 32:30).

The LORD commanded Moses to take off his shoes. This practice, still observed in many religions, indicates the PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE SANCTUARY (but see John 4:21-24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 3:14-21). Here, Moses must take off his hoes because he was standing on HOLY GROUND. The ground was made HOLY by the PRESENCE OF GOD. The removal of shoes was intended to express not merely respect for the place itself; it was a sign of worship, a mark of reverence, and a sign of acceptance of a servant’s position. It represented the removal of uncleanness caused by contact with the world. It was recognition of YAHWEH’S HOLINESS. The place is HOLY as a result of Moses’ experience there.

The LORD explained to Moses why HE had appeared to him. HE was the GOD of Moses’ father. The term “father” has a literal and immediate meaning as well as a remote connotation (see Exodus 18:4; Genesis 46:3). The LORD was the same GOD who made the covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fathers of Moses and the Israelites. Each father stood out singly in distinction from the nation as having received the promise of seed directly from GOD (cf. Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37). Those promises are now to be fulfilled (Exodus 8, 9).

The afflictions of GOD’S people had come before HIM (VV.7-9). HE heard their cries and pleas for deliverance from the hands of hard taskmasters for 400 years. Yet GOD left them there in Egypt because they had to learn many valuable lessons as well as how to obey, love, and walk with HIM. GOD told Moses that HIS passion was HIS Children.

Before GOD could tell Moses HIS PLAN, Moses began to interrupt and express his doubts (which we all have) and to tell GOD all the reasons why he could not go (v.11). All Moses could see was his own in adequacies and how big the job would be. He saw that working alone he could not accomplish the task, and indeed, he could not. In fact, GOD never told Moses that he would have to work alone.

GOD quieted Moses’ fears with the assurance that HE would be with him. HE does the same for us by revealing that HE will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). GOD told Moses that HIS PRESENCE would be with him. After Moses had delivered GOD’S people out of bondage, GOD wanted HIS people to come close and worship HIM—as close as they could in their unregenerate flesh. Moses expressed doubt again. He told GOD that when he went before the Children of Israel they were going to ask him who sent him; who should I say (v.13)? GOD knew Moses’ frailty and that he was only dust (Genesis 2:7), as we are. GOD also knew the Children of Israel. HE had made them as well. GOD told Moses to tell the Children of Israel that I AM THAT I AM had sent him (Exodus 3:14). GOD began to remind Moses of who HE is o mankind, and with whom HE made the covenant relationship (vv.15-16). GOD always has a plan. HE has not changed. Just as HE had a purpose for Moses, HE has a purpose for you and me, and HE has provisions to bring it to pass.

Nothing about us is a surprise to GOD; HE is in charge of our past, present, and future. GOD led Moses to Jethro, the Midianite shepherd. GOD used Moses’ job as a shepherd to prepare him to lead HIS SHEEP. GOD prepared Moses for greatness in the midst of bareness. Even when Moses doubted his ability to be used by GOD he still allowed GOD to use him as HIS VESSEL. We also are called to guide the lost to GOD’S WORD and to minister to them under the anointing of our HEAVENLY FATHER. GOD is still looking for a people who will come to the mountain and worship HIM. HIS PURPOSE HAS NEVER CHANGED, NOR HAS HIS PLAN OR PROVISIONS.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD

email Dr. Lowe

LightStream Streaming News OUR SPEAKERS