Hiding in the Desert: An Unlikely Hero and a Divine Encounter

Centuries have passed since Joseph died, and the descendants of Jacob (the Israelites) have grown into a vast nation within Egypt. A new Pharaoh, who "did not know Joseph," saw their growth as a threat and enslaved them, brutally oppressing them with forced labor.

The story of the Burning Bush, found in Exodus chapter 3, occurs while Moses, having failed in an earlier attempt to defend an Israelite, is hiding in exile as a shepherd in the desert of Midian.

I. The Sight and the Sound

Moses led his flock to Mount Horeb (also called Mount Sinai), when he saw an extraordinary sight: a bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. This miraculous sight drew Moses closer to investigate.

• God's Awareness: As Moses approached, God called out his name from the middle of the bush, telling him to "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5) This act of removing his sandals symbolizes respect and reverence for God's sacred presence.

• God's Compassion: God immediately identified the reason for His intervention: “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry… I know their sufferings.” (Exodus 3:7) This is a powerful demonstration of God’s active compassion—He is not a distant, uncaring deity, but one who sees, hears, and knows the pain of His people.

II. The Commission and the Reluctance

God declared His plan: “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… Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:8, 10)  

• Moses' Objections: Moses, now a humble and fearful shepherd, offered five reasons why he was unfit for the task:  

  1. Insecurity: Who am I to do this?

  2. Identity: Who should I say sent me?

  3. Unbelief: They won't believe me.

  4. Inarticulacy: I am slow of speech and tongue.

  5. Rejection: Please send someone else!

• God's Assurance: God countered every objection not with a boost to Moses' self-esteem, but with an assurance of His presence and power. He promised to be with Moses and gave him miraculous signs (a staff turning into a snake, his hand becoming leprous) to prove God's power to the Israelites.

III. The Great Revelation: I AM WHO I AM

When Moses asked for God's name, fearing the Israelites would not recognize the deity of a burning bush, God gave the most profound and unique revelation of His nature:

• The Name: “I AM WHO I AM.” And He added, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

• The Meaning: The name "I AM" (which is related to the sacred Hebrew name Yahweh) signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and absolute sovereignty. It means He doesn't need anything to exist; He simply is. He is the God who is always present and eternally capable of doing whatever He promises. This name assured Moses that the God sending him was the Creator of the universe.

Applying the Truth Today

The Burning Bush teaches us that God uses the most unlikely people (like a disgraced shepherd) to accomplish His greatest purposes. It also assures us that God is never passive toward our suffering; He sees, hears, and acts.

When we feel inadequate for the tasks God sets before us, we don't rely on our own ability, but on the all-sufficient presence of the I AM. Our calling is not about who we are, but about Who sent us.

Reflection Questions for Your Journey:

1. Holy Ground. Where in your life are you currently experiencing a sense of God's presence or a call to action? How can you approach that space with the same reverence Moses showed by taking off his sandals?

2. The "I AM". How does knowing that God's name is I AM WHO I AM (He is entirely self-sufficient) give you confidence when you feel inadequate or lacking in ability?

3. God's Compassion. The Lord said, "I know their sufferings." What specific worry or affliction in your life do you need to surrender to the God who is actively aware of your pain?

Your Reading Guide

To grasp God's awareness of suffering, read Exodus 3:7–10. Next, focus on Moses' objection and God's powerful identity in Exodus 3:11–14. Finally, read God's promise of victory over Pharaoh in Exodus 3:19–20.