The Burning Bush

Illustration of The Burning Bush

In the Book of Exodus, while tending his father-in-law's flock near Mount Horeb, Moses encountered a bush that burned with fire yet remained unconsumed. From within the bush God addressed Moses directly, identifying Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, disclosing the divine name "I Am" or Yahweh, and commissioning Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of bondage. This theophany marks a pivotal moment in Scripture by initiating the Exodus narrative and establishing God's covenant faithfulness through miraculous intervention. The event highlights themes of divine holiness, revelation, and the call of a reluctant leader to fulfill promises made to the patriarchs.

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Details

Category
Nature
Testament
Old Testament
Performed by
God

Key Passages

Moses at the Bush

Exodus 3:1-6

N1ow Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

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Did You Know?

1

The bush burned but was not consumed. Symbolizing God's presence that purifies without destroying.

2

Moses was 80 years old when God called him at the burning bush.

3

This is the first time God reveals His personal name 'I AM' (YHWH) to anyone.