Exodus 3:1-22 · Exodus

Burning Bush

Moses encounters the burning bush on Mount Horeb, where God speaks to him, revealing His name as 'I AM' and instructing Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God promises to deliver the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey and assures Moses of His presence and support.

Summary

The passage in Exodus 3:1-22 is a pivotal moment where Moses encounters God through a miraculous event. Moses is introduced as tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, in the wilderness near Mount Horeb, also known as the mountain of God (3:1). As he leads the flock, Moses notices a bush that is on fire but not consumed by the flames. Intrigued, he approaches to investigate this unusual sight (3:2-3).

As Moses draws closer, God calls to him from the bush, instructing him to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground (3:4-5). God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which causes Moses to hide his face in fear (3:6). God tells Moses that He has seen the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt and has come to deliver them from oppression and lead them to a prosperous land (3:7-8). God then commissions Moses to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt (3:10). Moses expresses doubt about his ability to do this, but God assures him of His presence and gives him the name "I AM" to use when speaking to the Israelites (3:11-14).

The passage concludes with God instructing Moses to gather the elders of Israel and inform them of His plan to rescue them from Egypt and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey (3:16-17). God predicts Pharaoh's resistance but promises to perform wonders in Egypt to secure their release (3:19-20). Finally, God assures Moses that the Israelites will not leave empty-handed; they will receive favor from the Egyptians and take valuable items with them (3:21-22). The passage establishes God's intention to deliver His people and His selection of Moses as the leader of this mission.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Exodus 3:7-8

“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt... I am come down to deliver them...”

B

Exodus 3:14

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM...”

A'

Exodus 3:16-17

“I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt... I will bring you up out of the affliction...”

Both A and A' involve God's revelation and promise of deliverance, highlighting His plan to rescue the Israelites.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The main conclusion of Exodus 3:1-22 is the divine commissioning of Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. This passage establishes the significance of God's personal intervention in human history through Moses, who is chosen to confront Pharaoh and deliver Israel from slavery. The burning bush serves as a tangible sign of God's presence and His holiness, underscoring the gravity of the mission (3:5). The encounter is crucial because it marks the initiation of a covenant relationship where God acts to fulfill His promises to the patriarchs, emphasizing His faithfulness and commitment to His people (3:7-8).

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the burning bush is seen as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. This interpretation highlights the idea of containing divine presence without being overwhelmed, much like Mary bearing Jesus. The bush that burns but is not consumed (3:2) parallels the belief in Mary carrying the divine Word without losing her virginity. This reading focuses on the miraculous nature of both events, seeing in them a common theme of God’s presence manifesting in the material world without being diminished. The Orthodox tradition underscores the continuity of God’s miraculous interventions in the narrative of salvation.

Rabbinic Judaism, on the other hand, emphasizes the divine name "I AM" as a profound declaration of God's eternal and self-existent nature. When God tells Moses to identify Him as "I AM" (3:14), it asserts His timeless existence and unchanging nature. This tradition focuses on how God’s name reveals His essence, emphasizing His ongoing relationship with Israel as the God of their ancestors (3:15). The emphasis here is on the theological implications of God's self-identification, which assures Moses and the people of Israel of His eternal presence and reliability in fulfilling His promises.

These interpretations together enrich our understanding of the passage by highlighting different aspects of God's character and His relationship with humanity. The Eastern Orthodox focus on the miraculous and symbolic parallels to Mary adds a dimension of understanding God's presence in physical forms, while the Rabbinic emphasis on God's name underscores His eternal and reliable nature. Both readings assert the significance of God's self-revelation and His active engagement with His people. By considering these perspectives, we see how the passage communicates both the mystery of divine presence and the assurance of divine constancy, inviting believers to trust in God's promises and His ongoing involvement in the world.

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