Moses and the Burning Bush

Moses was looking after the flock of his father-in-law Jethro near Horeb, the mountain of God. There he saw a surprising sight: a bush was burning with fire, but it was not burned up. When Moses went closer to look, God called his name from the bush. Moses answered, and God told him not to come any nearer. He was to take off his sandals, because this was holy ground. Then God said he was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Moses hid his face in fear.

God said he had seen the suffering of his people in Egypt and heard their cries under their taskmasters. He had come to rescue them and bring them to a good, broad land. Then God gave Moses a task: he was to go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. Moses asked who he was to do this, but God answered that he would be with him, and that after the people came out, they would serve God on this same mountain.

Moses asked what he should say if the Israelites asked for God's name. God told him to say that 'I AM' had sent him, and also that Yahweh, the God of their fathers, had sent him. Moses was to gather Israel's elders and tell them God had seen their affliction.

They were to ask the king of Egypt to let them go into the wilderness to sacrifice, but God said the king would not let them go until God struck Egypt with wonders. After that, the people would leave and would not go empty-handed.

Moses still worried that the people would not believe him. So God gave him signs. Moses threw down his rod, and it became a snake, and when he took it by the tail, it became a rod again. Next, Moses put his hand inside his cloak. When he pulled it out, it was leprous, white as snow, and when he put it back and drew it out again, it was restored. God also said that if needed, river water poured onto dry ground would become blood.

Moses then said he was not eloquent and was slow of speech. God reminded Moses that he made the human mouth, and that he would help Moses speak and teach him what to say. But Moses still asked for someone else to be sent. God's anger burned against Moses, yet he appointed Aaron, Moses' brother, as a spokesman to the people. Moses was to tell Aaron what to say, and he was to take the rod with him for the signs.