As years went by, Moses grew settled in his new life in Midian when one day, God appeared to him unexpectedly, changing the course of his life from that moment forward. Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led the sheep to the far side of the wilderness, arriving at Horeb, later known as the mountain of God.
There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up – Exodus 3:2 (NIV)
It was here, while fulfilling the humble role of a shepherd, that Moses encountered something extraordinary—an angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames within a bush. To Moses’ amazement, though the bush was engulfed in flames, it wasn’t consumed. Curious and drawn to this mysterious sight, Moses approached, wondering why the bush did not burn up.
The “angel of the LORD” and the “LORD” are used here interchangeably, indicating God Himself appearing before Moses. At almost eighty years old, Moses was about to receive his calling from God, one that would transform him from a shepherd of sheep to a shepherd of people. Just as David would later be called from the fields to lead Israel, so too would Moses be called to guide the descendants of Jacob.
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.” – Exodus 3:4 (NIV)
God instructed Moses to remove his sandals as a sign of respect and reverence, explaining that he was standing on holy ground. Although the land itself was not inherently holy, God’s presence sanctified it, making it a sacred space. God reveals Himself to Moses as the God of his ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In awe and fear, Moses hides his face. God tells Moses that He has seen the suffering of the Israelites under Egyptian oppression, heard their cries for help.
The question arises: was God blind to Israel’s suffering earlier? In truth, it was the people of Israel who had abandoned God. Living in a foreign land, they grew comfortable and, in their prosperity, forgot their Creator. Even as they fell into slavery, many were content and showed little desire to return to Him. Yet, now that their suffering has intensified, they are repentant, crying out for help. Despite Israel’s earlier abandonment, God remains willing to deliver them, showing that He neither forgets nor overlooks our circumstances but chooses the right time to act for our ultimate good.
God Reveals Himself to Moses
God declares His plan to rescue them and lead them to a fertile, prosperous land, free from bondage. He then commands Moses to go to Pharaoh and deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” – Exodus 3:11 (NIV)
Moses questions his worthiness to approach Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God assures him, promising His presence and a sign: the people will worship God on this mountain once they are freed. Moses then asks what name he should give if the Israelites question him about who sent him. God replies, “I AM WHO I AM,” instructing Moses to tell them that “I AM” has sent him.
People often seek to know God’s name because they are used to naming gods in ways that make them understandable or relatable. In their quest to define God, they look for boundaries or characteristics, seeking a name to grasp who He is. However, unlike other deities they might know, the ultimate Creator has no origin, limits, or boundaries.
When God says, “I AM,” He reveals Himself as the eternal, self-existing One—”the Ancient of Days” with no beginning or end. This concept of “I AM” may be challenging for people to grasp initially. Over time, as people draw closer to God, they begin to understand the depth of this name, recognizing Him not through limited terms but as the infinite “I AM.”
“This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation. – Exodus 3:15 (NIV)
God instructs Moses to gather the elders of Israel—the leaders of each tribe—to share His message, ensuring that every tribe is informed. Identifying Himself as the God of their ancestors, God tells the elders that He has seen their suffering in Egypt and promises to lead them to a rich and fertile land. God further directs Moses and the elders to approach the king of Egypt, saying,
‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God.’ – Exodus 3:18 (NIV)
However, God foresees Pharaoh’s resistance and vows to display His power through wonders, which will ultimately compel Pharaoh to release them. Once Pharaoh yields, God will cause the Egyptians to look favorably upon the Israelites. The Israelites will ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver, gold, and clothing, leaving Egypt not empty-handed but with wealth, effectively plundering the Egyptians as they depart.
In His Time
God’s timing is purposeful, often aligning with moments when people recognize their need for Him. “I AM,” emphasizes His boundless and eternal nature, reminding us that He exists beyond human limitations or definitions. Additionally, Moses’ initial doubts about his worthiness are met with God’s assurance of His presence, showing that God’s strength accompanies those He calls, even if they feel unworthy.
This should encourage us and build our faith in God’s timing and purposes, teaching us that no situation is too distant for His compassion. It also reminds us to rely on God’s presence and guidance when facing daunting tasks, for He equips those He calls. In our own lives, understanding and trusting in God’s limitless nature can help us approach Him with both reverence and confidence, knowing that He is indeed the “I AM” who sees, cares, and acts in His perfect time.
Discussion Questions
- Why did God ask Moses to take off his sandles?
- Like Moses, why do we want to know the name of God?
- Was God blind to the suffering of Israel all these years?
The Jordan Valley 
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