Day 49 – Moses & the Burning Bush

• Today’s famous passages introduce Moses to the plans that God has for him. You’ll know that Moses was a faithful leader of the Isrealites for many years, but you may have been surprised at the first conversations that Moses had as God spoke to him through the image of the burning bush.
• God speaks to us too, primarily through the bible. That’s why we’re reading it so carefully! That’s not to say God can’t speak to us in other ways. These could be in indirect ways (i.e. the amazing world we like in showing us God’s power and might) or maybe even more directly. In this situation, we read of an astonishing event where God speaks directly to Moses in a unique way.
• What do you learn about God in this chapter? What about Moses?
• Moses asks lots of questions and makes a bunch of excuses, doesn’t he?! Would you have done the same, do you think? How does God answer the excuses? Do you think God showed patience with Moses, and do you think Moses’ challenges were reasonable?
• When was the last time you made excuses rather than just obeying a request? Looking back, are you proud of what you said or how you acted?
• When Moses asks God about who sent him to the Pharaoh, how did God respond in Exodus 3:14-15? What name does God give himself? This special name is sometimes called “YHWH”, or “Yahweh”. It’s a very personal name for God. Throughout the rest of the reading plan you’ll often see God referred to as “THE LORD” in capital letters, which is our English translation’s way of saying “Yahweh”. 
• In Exodus 4, God gives Moses physical signs he can perform to help display to the Pharaoh that Moses had God on his side. Despite carefully explaining that He will be with Moses in verses 11 and 12, who else did God give to Moses to help him?
• Moses doesn’t seem like he’s a naturally confident leader, does he, but God has great plans for him and the abilities He has given him. Has God given you particular strengths or abilities that you can use to show share God with others? Perhaps an understanding of a normally tricky part of the bible? Or the ability to explain things? Or a heart that is willing to speak up for God? Or a musical talent? Are you using that ability?

Chris once gave a talk about Jesus walking on the water to a boat in which his disciples were caught in a storm. It was Mark 6:45 onward, and Chris spoke about verse 50. Take a look in your bible to see what it says. Jesus called to the disciples and said “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid”. This is a direct reference to the passage we read today. In Exodus 3:14, God refers to His name as “I AM WHO I AM”. This is the same name that Jesus references himself as when he says “it is I”. Simply put, Jesus is saying that He is God – the very same God who talked to Moses.

As today’s passages in the Old Testament close, Moses is about to start speaking to the Pharaoh and asking him to free the Israelite slaves. It’s going to be tough work. What do you think Moses might have been thinking about as he walked back towards Egypt with his brother?

PS: there are some parts of the Bible that continue to be much debated, because the meaning of it is unclear. An example is Exodus 4:24-26, the so-called “bridegroom of blood” passage. You can do some research online if you’d like to investigate this passage more, but for the purposes of this reading plan, you don’t need to worry too much about it. All you should know is that Moses had not circumcised his children as he should have done, and his wife, Zipporah, employed some quick thinking to make sure it was done before they arrived in Egypt.