Exodus 3:1-6
The Bush That Burned but Was Not Consumed
Read the passage
1Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
2There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed.
3So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?”
4When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.
5“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
6Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Moses is keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. He leads the flock beyond the wilderness and comes to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appears to him in a flame of fire from the middle of a bush.
Moses looks, and the bush is burning but is not consumed. He turns aside to see this great sight. God sees that he has turned aside and calls to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!” Moses answers, “Here I am.”
God tells him not to come near and to remove his sandals because the place where he is standing is holy ground. The God who speaks is the God of Moses' father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses hides his face because he is afraid to look at God.
The encounter begins with wonder and becomes reverence. Moses is not invited to manage the moment or make it ordinary. God names the holiness of his presence and connects this new call to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The God of the fathers has come to speak to Moses in the wilderness. Moses cannot determine how to approach Him; he must listen to the One who calls his name. The same presence that draws him near also teaches him reverence.
Questions
1 What made Moses stop to look at the bush?
AnswerIt was burning without being consumed. He went over to see why it was not burning up.
2 Why did God tell Moses to take off his sandals?
AnswerHe was standing on holy ground because God was present. God Himself told Moses how to approach.
3 How did God identify Himself?
AnswerAs the God of Moses' father and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This encounter belongs to the continuing story of God's covenant with their family.
4 How did Moses respond when he learned who was speaking?
AnswerHe hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. His curiosity about the bush became awe before the Lord.
What This Means for Us
Moses was tending sheep when God called him. The importance of the encounter came from God, not from impressive surroundings or anything Moses had arranged. We do not have to create a dramatic experience to make worship worthwhile. We come because God is worthy of our attention.
When your family reads Scripture or prays, allow time to listen rather than simply finishing the activity. Read a sentence again if its meaning was missed. Help a child understand a word. Reverence can be taught through patient attention to what God says, without making children afraid to ask questions.
Prayer
Holy God, meet us in ordinary places and teach us to notice your presence. Give us reverence without fear-driven control, humility to listen, and courage to respond when you call. Amen.