These small group studies of Exodus 3 contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications.  Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

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Exodus 3 Bible Study and Questions – The Burning Bush

Outline

I. Moses sees the burning bush (1-3)
II. God introduces Himself to Moses (4-6)
III. God commands Moses to deliver His people (7-10)
IV. Moses’ first excuse: I am a nobody! (11)
V. God’s reply: I will be with you (12)
VI. Moses’ second objection: What is your name? (13-15)
VII. God prophecies final deliverance (16-22)

I. Moses sees the burning bush (1-3)

Discussion Questions

• How much time has elapsed between the end of chapter two and the beginning of chapter three?
• Why does God often send believers to the wilderness? What can they learn there?
• Why was Horeb called the mountain of God?
• Who is the angel of the Lord?
• What other names is He called in this chapter?
• What can we learn from this?
• What was special about this bush?
• Why do you think God chose this way to appear to Moses?
• What was the significance of appearing in a burning bush?
• Share about a time when you have experienced God in a personal way.

Cross-Reference

Acts 7:19-35 – This is Stephen’s summary of this time period in Israel’s history, including his statement that Moses was forty years old when he fled Egypt and eighty when he went back.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. God prepares Moses through waiting –

Moses had been serving as a shepherd for Jethro for about forty years at this point. Unlike men, God is very patient. He did not save the Israelites immediately, but waited for the right time and prepared the right person. I believe God used these forty years to teach Moses valuable lessons about leadership and the Lord. In chapter 2, he was still a headstrong young man. He lost his temper and behaved rashly. Forty years in the wilderness can create a calm, quiet, and careful spirit.

Many believers in Scripture spent extended time in the wilderness, including David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Moses. There aren’t many things in the wilderness. There are few people and few distractions. The wilderness can train us to be satisfied in the Lord.

Application –

Too often, the world satisfies us. We seek after things. We seek pleasure and entertainment. We set our mind on food, sports, games, movies, leisure, shopping, gadgets, investments, bank accounts, and clothing.

It could be that if we keep doing that, God will take it all away and lead us through the wilderness to train us to thirst for Him. We need to make sure that we are thirsting for God Himself and not just the things that He blesses us with.

Let us pray that the Lord will give us new hearts and new desires. Let us stop being easily satisfied with trivial things in this world and look to our heavenly Father to satisfy us with His presence and His Spirit.

Psalms 63:6 – When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.

Cities are loud, filled with hustle and bustle. There is noise everywhere. And there is stuff to do. Errands. People to see. There are lots of people and lots of distractions.

Modern-day cities are even louder than ancient ones.

There is a reason that Jesus often went out to the wilderness to pray.

Luke 5:16 – But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

It was a place where He could escape distraction and have a quiet time of fellowship with His father.

Application –

It can be a challenge for us in the city with full schedules and annoying smartphones to get that time free of distraction. We need to prioritize it and make a way. Jesus found a way. He snuck away from the crowds. You need to find a way to have that quality, quiet time with the Lord as well. We need that each day. And we also should have occasional times of intentional retreat where we can spend more extended time with Him.

Can we say what David said in Psalm 63?

Psalms 63:1 – O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2. The mountain of God –

It is called the mountain of God because God appeared there to Moses, and then later again once or twice after the Israelites left Egypt.

3. The angel of the Lord –

Most Bible scholars agree that the angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ. This is important because it shows us that God did not just choose a person and bestow deity upon them. Neither was Christ a creation. Neither did He spend all of eternity prior to the incarnation doing nothing. Jesus existed from eternity past and He has always been active, even long before His incarnation. Also, this passage mentions God the Father (“God of Abraham…”). This implies it was not just one member of the Trinity appearing in the burning bush, but the whole Godhead.

4. The burning bush –

The burning bush was a miracle, the first of many miracles witnessed by Moses. The Bible does not mention any specific reason why God chose this way to appear to Moses. Clearly, He knew it would attract Moses so that he would come over and they could have a conversation.

Fire is a symbol of holiness (Leviticus 9:24, Hebrews 12:29) and purification (Malachi 3:2-3). Besides that, the supernatural fire showed God’s control over nature. Moses had grown up around many Egyptian gods, who were really idols with no power. Seeing the true God display power over the elements would have helped convince him that God was true, a faith that would be critical if Moses was to accept the task given to him.

Reflect – God speaks in many times in different ways (Hebrews 1:1). How does He normally speak to you? What can you do to be a better listener?

II. God introduces Himself to Moses (4-6)

Discussion Questions

• Did Moses need to introduce himself to God?
• Why does God introduce Himself to Moses?
• What did He instruct Moses to do?
• Why did He ask Moses to remove his shoes?
• What does Moses’ reaction tell us about his character?
• Why do you think Moses was afraid to look at God?

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. God chose and prepared Moses –

While Moses did not understand who God was, God knew everything about Moses. Moses did not know God’s name, but God knew his. This is true about every person who turns to God. Moses thought he was taking initiative and that he was in control, but actually, God was. God had been watching over him and directing the events of his life for eighty years to bring him to this point and give him this task. God is the one who takes the initiative (1 John 4:19). God is the one who chose Moses for this task.

Moses did not want this task, but God had chosen him. There really was nothing Moses could do about it. This can be a comforting truth for us. God is always watching over us. He knows our future before we do. He has a good plan for us. If He calls us to a mission, He will prepare us for that mission and give us everything we need to be successful.

Moses may have had a lot of questions over the years. “Why could my real parents not keep me?” “Why did that guy I shoved have to hit his head and die?” “Why could I not just be born into royalty?” “Why do I have to live way out here in the wilderness so far from all the action?”

He did not know why all these things happened to him, but God did and had a reason. This truth should build our faith in God. Even when we do not understand why things are happening to us, we know God has a reason. Make up your minds to have faith in Him and let nothing sway you. He knows what you need to do what He has called you to do.

God is working in your life. That is not always comfortable. As Moses’ time in the wilderness was difficult, your life may be too. God uses those very trials that are difficult to refine you.

Reflect – Share about a trial you have faced in the past that God used to grow your character.

2. Moses’ humble response –

Moses’ response indicates submissiveness. He did not run away in fear. He did not say, “What do you want?” He seemed to understand that it was God, the Authority, talking to him. His response shows a healthy respect for God and a willingness to listen instead of taking the leadership or starting to make demands. Moses was extremely humble (Numbers 12:3), so this attitude is not surprising.

3. God reveals His identity –

God answers what was likely one of Moses’ most burning questions, “Who are you?” He introduces Himself by explaining that He is the same God Moses’ ancestors worshiped. This clearly assumes that Moses knew who those ancestors were, reinforcing the fact that he understood his heritage and had studied Jewish history. There seems to be an implied command in this introduction, as if God is saying, “I am the one true God your ancestors worshiped; now it is your turn to know and follow me.”

And indeed, Moses would become perhaps the most respected of all of them.

Application –

For believers from Christian families, we should be grateful that God has worked in the lives of our parents. We receive many blessings as a result of that godly heritage. Yet God has no grandchildren. Moses could not be saved from Abraham or Isaac’s faith. He needed to have personal faith in the Lord. The same is true of us. Your parents’ faith cannot save you.

Take some time now to acknowledge this truth before God. Thank Him for your parents’ faith and example and make your own profession to Him.

III. God commands Moses to deliver His people (7-10)

Discussion Questions

• This passage doesn’t tell us why God is concerned with their suffering. Why do you think He is?
• Do you think God is concerned with our suffering today?
• Then why does He not deliver people from suffering immediately and every time?
• Where was God going to lead His people?
• What did the Israelites later call this region?
• What command did God give to Moses?

Verse by Verse Commentary

Here God answers three more burning questions Moses might have had.

1. Why? –

Why was God approaching Moses?

The answer is that God knew the suffering His people were going through. He was moved by it, just as He would be throughout their history time and time again. What parent sees a child suffering and is not touched?

God is not a distant God as the deists believe. Deists say that God created the world and then stopped His involvement with it, letting natural courses take over.

He continues to uphold the universe by His power.

Hebrews 1:3 – He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

God cares. God is love. God did not take pleasure in their pain, and neither was He apathetic about it. Every whipping, insult, and beating went straight to His heart. Only because of His great patience, attention to His plan, the long-term good of His people, and the long-term glorification of His name on the earth, did He delay as long as He did.

2. What? –

What did God plan to do about it?

Egypt was a powerful nation, likely the most powerful in the world at the time. What could be done to save His people? The answer: I will rescue them and will lead them to a new and extremely prosperous land.

Exodus 3:8 – 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, a land flowing with milk and honey.

This must have been exciting for Moses to hear. Finally, God is going to do something! Something is going to happen! But then the next question.

3. How? –

How would God accomplish this great task? Again, Egypt is powerful. No one just leaves. They will be killed. The answer: You, Moses, will go and bring my people out of Egypt.

Exodus 3:10 – I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.

God’s chosen tool to accomplish this great mission was Moses.

Exodus 3:10 – I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.

Application –

It is easy for us to see a problem and think someone should do something about it. But sometimes, God wants us to be part of the solution. Is there a situation in your church or community that you have complained about? Consider spending time in prayer and asking the Lord if He would have you be part of the solution.

IV. Moses’ first excuse: I am a nobody! (11)

Discussion Questions

• Did Moses accept the task immediately?
• What was his objection?
• Summarize his objection in your own words.
• Was this a reasonable objection?
• Why or why not?
• Have you ever objected when God called you to a mission for Him? If so, what was your objection?

Verse by Verse Commentary

Exodus 3:11 – But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

1. Moses felt unqualified –

Moses said, “Who am I?”

This is like Mission Impossible, but Moses was not like Ethan Hunt. He did not feel like he had any preparation for this (although God had been preparing him his whole life). He certainly did not feel capable. What could he, a shepherd, possibly do to free two million people from a tyrannical dictator who believed he was a god and had hundreds of thousands of well-trained soldiers?

Reflect – Do you think in this case, Moses’ objection is reasonable?

2. God had prepared Moses –

The first of Moses’ many objections was reasonable. It is natural to question one’s own ability to accomplish this immense task. Moses was a humble person and wondered why in the world God had chosen him. However, God looked at Moses differently. Moses was just the man for the job. He was the vessel God had been preparing his whole life for just this moment. This reminds us again that God puts people in the right place at the right time to accomplish His plans.

V. God’s reply: I will be with you (12)

Discussion Questions

• What was God’s answer?
• Will He also be with us if and when we face difficulties? How do you know?
• Why is it important to remember that God will always be with us?
• How would Moses know God would be with him?

Cross-References

Isaiah 63:9 – In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Psalms 56:11 – In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. God answered Moses calmly –

God did not get upset with Moses (like He does later in chapter 4). He did not refuse to answer the question. He seemed to take it as a legitimate question and proceeded to give a strong answer that could not reasonably be questioned. His answer should have calmed Moses’ fears and reassured him.

God does not get angry when we bring questions to Him as long as they are sincere and we bring them humbly. He knows what you are thinking already. Many Biblical saints had very personal talks with God and He did not rebuke them for being straightforward.

2. God is patient and understanding –

This is a reminder that God is an understanding God. He is not quick to point out our faults or weaknesses or even our lack of faith. He gives every reason to believe, answers all necessary questions, and assures us and encourages us at every opportunity.

One example of that is Jesus after His resurrection. He appeared to the disciples with many proofs of what had happened (Acts 1:3).

3. I will be with you –

Exodus 3:12 – But I will be with you.

He would be with Moses. This is the reason that Moses did not need to fear. God would be with him. And if God was with him, he could not fail. What could man do to him?

Moses was an ant compared to the Egyptian empire. He had no chance to accomplish it on his own. But he was not on his own. God would be with Him. He would accomplish it. God plus one is a majority.

This is an encouragement for us. Whenever God gives us a task, we can be sure He will be with us to help us accomplish it. He will not send us off on our own to certain failure. He is not like the Japanese commanders who sent their men in a line straight into the teeth of the enemy as cannon fodder. He is like the commander who leads His troops in battle, is at the front of the lines, has a battle strategy, protects His men at all costs, and personally carries the wounded. But as the commander, He also expects His troops to give their absolute best 24/7. Nothing less than 100% is acceptable.

Reflect – Share about a time when you experienced God’s presence with you.

VI. Moses’ second objection: What is your name? (13-15)

Discussion Questions

• What was Moses’ next response?
• Was this a reasonable question?
• What does asking this question reveal about Moses’ character?
• What was God’s name?
• Have you ever heard a name like that?
• What does His name show us about His character?
• What implications does God’s name “I AM WHO I AM” have for our lives today?
• Why was hearing this important for Moses at that time?

Cross-Reference

Psalms 9:10 – Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Moses asks for God’s name –

Exodus 3:13 – “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”

This seems like a strange request to us. But perhaps the Israelites would wonder how they could be sure which God or so-called god sent Moses. They already doubted Moses’ credentials as a “spoiled rich kid.” Knowing God’s name could give Moses significant reputation and credibility with the Jews.

2. I AM WHO I AM. –

Exodus 3:14 – God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

YHWH and I AM are built on the same word. English translations generally translate YHWH as “LORD.” When you see this in your English Bible, you can read it as “YHWH” or “I AM.”

Exodus 3:14 could also be translated “I am that I am,” or “I-shall-be that I-shall-be.”

Reflect – What does His name show us about His character?

A. God exists –

Most people acknowledge God exists, but live as if He does not. Knowledge of His existence should change our actions. His existence demands a response from us.

God’s personality and power are not dependent on anything else. They come solely from Himself. His character is solely from Himself and has not been shaped by anything else or any external law or standard. People are shaped and formed by their upbringing, culture, and environment, but God is not like us. He changes us but is never changed by us.

God does not change. He is our foundation that does not move, and we can have complete confidence in Him. Family, friends, science, and our situation in life all change. God is the only one who does not. He cannot improve because He is already perfect. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Have you ever had someone break a promise to you because they changed their mind? Most of us have. God will never change His mind. Circumstances do not affect Him. He will keep His promises.

Application –

Because God keeps His promises, we can fully depend on Him and on what He has said.

B. God is what He is. He is not bound to our standards. –

Application –

We must conform to God and not God to us. He is the standard; we are not. Therefore, we cannot question Him, His plans, or His will. We often try to make God do what we want. We expect Him to deal with things the way we would. We sometimes doubt when He does not. We do not know why sin, death, pain, and suffering are still in the world. Why does God not just wipe them out? We would! He is perfect, and His ways are too high for us to understand (Isaiah 55:8-9). We must have faith and trust Him because we know what kind of God He is. This fact should comfort us.

God is different from us. To some extent, He is incomprehensible. In other words, if we were to sit around a table and try to imagine what God is like, it would be impossible. The only way we can know what He is like is if He tells us. The good news is that He does speak to us.

Even so, we will never fully understand everything about God or what He does. His ways are higher than our ways.

This great, infinite God has drawn near to us, sinful humans in Jesus Christ (John 8:58-59). We can approach Him freely through Christ. What a great privilege this is! We can be friends with I AM and have a special relationship with Him!

Application – He has drawn near to us, so we should rejoice in this and draw near to Him.

VII. God prophecies final deliverance (16-22)

Discussion Questions

• Did God say how long until this promise would be fulfilled?
• How long did it take?
• What does this teach us about God’s sovereignty?
• What does this teach us about humans’ responsibility?
• Would the elders listen to Moses immediately?
• Why not? Did they eventually?
• What was all this about taking a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice?
• Why not directly ask to leave Egypt?
• Why would Moses’ task be so difficult?
• What applications can we get in knowing that God can make anyone do what He wants?
• What was God going to do to the Egyptians? Why would He do it?
• Why would the Egyptians give the Jews treasures before they left?

Cross-Reference

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Gather the elders of Israel together –

The command to assemble the elders and get them on board was easier said than done. It finally was done, after some of their doubts and skepticism were alleviated after witnessing Moses perform miracles.

2. Why ask for a three-day journey? –

Asking for a three-day journey rather than permission to leave permanently was a far easier request to grant. I don’t know if the idea was to go for three days and bolt or not.

Perhaps God wanted to demonstrate to everyone the depth of Pharaoh’s pride and his extreme stubbornness. Pharaoh was unwilling to even give them a three-day break. That proved his hardness of heart and harsh attitude for all to see. It exposed Pharaoh as the bad guy. Everyone would see that he was the villain.

3. God would compel him –

Pharaoh would not give in voluntarily. God would force him to comply. We will see that storyline play out over the next few chapters.

4. They would leave with the spoils of Egypt –

This was prophesied long before to Abraham.

Genesis 15:14 – But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

It was fulfilled in Exodus 12:35-36.

Comment – What did you think of this Bible study on Exodus 3? We would love to hear your thoughts. Share below in the comment section.