Read through a few times, jotting down questions and noting observations. Try and place yourself in the scene, listening and watching God and Moses. Try to imagine vocal tones as you hear God speak to Moses. Consider the flow of the conversation, and attempt to trace the direction of God versus Moses direction and intent. Part of that will be answered in chapter 4.
Once you have your questions, look through a commentary or two (there are some at the church). Revise your notes and questions as you find more information. Then go back through with the questions below:
- Moses takes the flock of his father-in-law (now Jethro) somewhere else. Look at verse 1 in a few translations. Most have "west side", but many also use "far side", and one uses "out of" to translate where Moses led the flock. Literally, the word is "behind" or "after", and is a common Hebrew word. Why do you think this was so difficult to render into English for translators? Why not just put "after" or "behind"?
- Horeb is referred to throughout Exodus as the Mountain of God. Even Elijah comes to it as the Mountain of God. Considering that this word for God is plural, what do you think is the possibility that this was an ancient place of worship of many gods? It could also be that, when Moses finally writes this, everyone already refers to the place as the Mountain of God. What do you think is most likely?
- The Angel of Yahweh appears to Moses as a flame within a bush (thorn shrub). What gets Moses' attention is that the shrub isn't consumed and the fire continues to burn the shrub. Why do you think that the fire itself wasn't enough to gain Moses' attention? Or was it?
- Moses turns aside to go see the burning bush. It is written that Yahweh "saw" that Moses turns aside to look at the bush. Think about that. What does that tell you about God's methods and character in reaching out to people He intends to use?
- God calls out to Moses in much the same way He calls Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Moses responds much like Abraham, "Behold, I" (Genesis 22:1). This is pretty common in Hebrew. It's typically translated as, "here I am". How can you respond to God in this same way? What would that look like for you?
- Moses is standing on holy ground, and is required to remove his sandals. Why do you think bare feet are more appropriate to holiness than sandals?
- Look at how God speaks about who He is to Moses. He is the God of "your fathers", then lists them, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why do you think this is how God starts? What do you think is the significance of the "fathers"?
- Look at verses 7 and 8. Now read 9 and 10. Do you spot the repetition? Why do you think God "starts" over with His reason for calling Moses?
- The second "start" continues with Moses first protest. "Who am I to go before Pharaoh?" Why do you think Moses would ask this? Who else would God send, doesn't Moses have the perfect background for this? Moses seemed so gung ho before, so why the hesitancy now?
- God's answer is His presence with Moses, and the sign promised Moses is that the people will worship God on that mountain. Why do you think Moses' question about his qualification is answered by God's presence?
- The people wouldn't worship at the mountain until well after Moses does what God is calling him to do. So, how can that be a "sign" that God is truly with or calling Moses?
- Moses next wants to know God's name. If Moses says that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob appeared to him, why do you think the people would ask His name? Look at Exodus 6:2, 3. Why do you think that God didn't answer Moses' question with the name that would have been the name their fathers knew?
- God refers to Himself as "I AM", and then "Yahweh". The two are different in "person", so in English, it would be I AM, and HE IS. Why do you think that, when Moses asks His name, God bases His answer on "is". What does that tell you about what God wants His people to know about Him and how He wants them to refer to Him?
- After the naming question, we have another repetition. God sends Moses to Pharaoh in verse 10, but then, in verses 16 through 18, to the elders first, and then to take the elders with him to Pharaoh. How do you understand the relationship between these two sets of instructions?
- Notice the repetition of the description of where God is leading them. Yet, what are they telling Pharaoh? Why do you think God would tell Moses essentially to lie to Pharaoh?
- God then tells Moses that they will only go out once Pharaoh has seen miracles. And when the people go, they will plunder the Egyptians. Why do you think these two details are so important for Moses' calling?
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