Humble Moses - Part 1

In Exodus 3, God appears to Moses at the burning bush on Mount Horeb, commanding him to remove his sandals on holy ground and revealing Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who has seen Israel's suffering in Egypt and intends to deliver them. The burning bush — fire that does not consume — pictures God dwelling among sinful people without destroying them, pointing forward to Christ as the mediator who brings His people near to a holy God. Moses responds with a series of objections: he is nobody, the people won't believe him, he is not eloquent, and finally begs God to send someone else, all of which God answers with promises of His presence, miraculous signs, and sovereignty over speech. The great revelation of the divine name "I AM WHO I AM" calls Moses not to strategize about whether the mission will work, but to trust in the self-existent, ever-present God whose word accomplishes what He purposes. Ultimately the story of Moses' calling foreshadows the greater prophet Jesus, who fully answered God's call, stormed into the domain of sin and death, and freely gives eternal life to those who could never earn it.