A Study of Exodus 3:1-12
Back in my late twenties, the Lord revealed himself to me profoundly one evening.
That night, being alone for the evening, I put on a CD and cranked the volume so my neighbors wouldn’t hear my crying and screaming as I wrestled with my raw emotions regarding my childhood abuse.
I had kept these emotions locked down hard until my now-late husband realized I was crumbling. He stated he was uncertain of what condition he would find me in when he came home.
With his encouragement, I started counseling, thus opening a floodgate of hurt and confusion that as a child I could not articulate.
The two questions I threw out toward God repeatedly that night were “Who am I?” and “Why?”
Before I share how God responded to me, join me in a study of Exodus 3:1-12 where God reveals himself to Moses.
How God Revealed Himself to Moses
A Study of Exodus 3:1-12
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”[1]
The daughter of the Pharoah of Egypt rescued and raised Moses, an endangered Hebrew baby. (See Exodus 2:1-10)
After Moses was an adult, he killed an Egyptian who was beating another Hebrew. When the Pharoah learned about this, Moses fled to Midian for safety. (See Exodus 2:11-15)
Forty years later, we pick up Moses’ story with today’s passage. (See Acts 7:30)
Contrast Moses’ probable life as a prince of Egypt with his life in Midian.
What does the passage reveal to the reader before Moses learns it?
Aside from being astonishing, what does the fiery bush not burning reveal about God’s grace and power?
When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. [2]
List everything that God reveals about himself in these verses.
Why did Moses hide his face?
Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and 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, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”[3]
What does the Lord reveal about his abilities in this section of verses?
Compare Genesis 15:18-21 with the above section. What does this reveal about God?
“And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” [4]
Why does the Lord repeat the statements about hearing the cry of the people of Israel and their oppression?
What is Moses’ role according to the Lord?
How does Moses react to this assignment from the Lord? Why?
He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” [5]
What does God’s answer to Moses reveal about God?
Explain the significance of the sign of confirmation the Lord mentions.
What does it mean to serve God?
How God Revealed Himself to Moses
A Study of Exodus 3:1-12 | My Experience
That night in my late twenties was intense.
God allowed me to release the hurt and anguish in my heart.
Once I had physically worn myself out, I heard His still small voice say in response, “You are Barbara.”
Just three words.
Yet, I learned so much from those three words.
Just as God told Moses he had heard the cries of the Israelites, God told me he heard my cries too.
God also knows me by name, just as he knew Moses by name.
I know my identity is one of his children because he answered my cries.
Unlike Moses, God didn’t stress my assignments that night. He knew I was still healing.
This shows me that God is gracious and understanding of our individual needs.
Today, as I continue to process the loss of my spouse to mental illness, I am thankful I still know that God is with me.
My identity is safe in Him alone.
How God Revealed Himself to Moses
A Study of Exodus 3:1-12 | Application
This passage reveals a God who knew Moses by name and the trials the Israelites were experiencing.
It also reveals that God is true to his promises.
Describe an experience in your life that deeply affected your relationship with God.
How did God reveal himself to you through that experience?
Do you trust God knows you by name and has a purpose for you? Why or why not?
How can you know God is with you no matter what you face?
What stands out to you the most about God from this post?
Heavenly Father, most holy and gracious one, thank you for caring for each of us so deeply. Help those who read this study and the personal things I’ve shared encourage them in their own faith journey. May they recognize Your voice when You speak to them. Amen.
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. [6]
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ex 3:1–3.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ex 3:4–6.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ex 3:7–8.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ex 3:9–11.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ex 3:12.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 139:1–6.