The Calling of a Hebrew Egyptian - Part 1

This is the Bible study page for Exodus 3. Read this chapter along with 4 to get a sense of the more complete context. Reading in a few translations may help, although the language isn't as much of an issue as the structure. The account of the call of Moses is very complex.

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? 

That should be plenty to think about. Be sure to bring your notes and questions to the Bible study.

Trying The Patience of God

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 5 to study Multiply by Francis Chan.  I'm going to assume you've read Part III, Chapter 1 (or Chapter 7 for consistency).  If you haven't, go back and do that first.  In fact, read it a few times to get a sense of some of Chan's details on who, what, why, and so on.

Next, we're going to study a passage he didn't bring up.  I tried to come up with an example of of the dangers of not doing what he suggests.  Since in these cultures, literacy is not common, specific references in Scripture are difficult.  Instead, I keyed off of what reading the Bible should be to us, hearing from God.  Now that I have plenty of examples of in Scripture.

We're going to look at Exodus 3 and 4 (or parts of each anyway).  This is the conversation at the burning bush.  I think Moses pretty well covers most of our excuses, and finally exhausts God's patience.

Read through Exodus 3:1-17, then 4:1-14.  As a footnote, read 4:24-26.  Read these through several times.  You're looking for peculiarities, but also look at the flow of the conversation.  Consider what is going on with Moses, why he's using the excuses he is.  He's got a lot of issues going on here, but one main one.  Jot down notes and questions as you go through.

After going over the passages a few times, go back through with the questions below:

• If a bush on fire is enough entertainment to divert Moses, does you think that indicates he's bored with his current life, or something like this is truly amazing enough to divert a contented man, or something else?
• What do you think made the ground holy?
• At what point do you think Moses recognizes God and connects Him with his heritage?
• God lays out a lot of detail in His initial description of what He's doing with Moses (v.7-10).  This is pretty much repeated throughout His discussion with Moses.  Moses' first issue is his 'suitability' to go to Pharaoh.  He was raised in Pharaoh's household, so what do you think Moses is questioning here?
•  When Moses asks about his 'suitability', God starts out with, "I will be with you" and gives Moses a sign.  How helpful do you think that particular sign would be in motivating Moses?  When would the sign be confirmed?
• Why do you think God's name would be the second problem Moses points out? What do you think is the assumption in Moses' mind if he wants to know God's name? (it might be helpful to consider his background and current family situation)
• God's answer to Moses' question about His name is not the ordinary deific name.  Consider that God's answer in verse 14 is a little different than in 15.  While there is a possible connection, they are not exactly the same (I'll show you at the group meeting).  What sort of effect do you think this name would have on the elders of Israel?  Is it how they would recognize God?  And if not, how does this solve the problem Moses brought up?
• Moses' third complaint is about his validity before the Israelites.  God answers that with three 'signs'.  So, who are these signs for?  Yet, one is one of the plagues against Egypt.  Why do you think the bloody Nile would be a sign to the Israelites?
• Next Moses' complains that he is not eloquent.  Consider God's answer here.  It isn't like the rest.  What do you think Moses is doing, and what do you think God is doing with His answer?  What I mean by that is why would Moses bring up this particular issue, and why would God answer this particular way?  Assume God knows what's going on in Moses' head even if we don't, so His answer is really the clue to what Moses is getting at.
• Moses literally says, "Excuse me Lord, please send in the hand of you will send."  Imagine some person from another country using broken English were to say this to you.  What do you think they might mean by it?
• God's response to Moses' final question or request is to get angry.  Why?  Considering all that has been involved in this discussion, why do you think now God is angry with Moses?  Also, if you don't think God is all that angry, remember the 'footnote' verses (v. 24-26) I mentioned earlier.
• Now, if God speaks to us primarily through Scripture what do we risk by not being diligent in seeking familiarity with these words?  It's one thing to not do what God has asked us to do well, but to not do it at all, how risky is that for us?
• Go back through the list of complaints of Moses.  How many of these, in some form and/or at some time, have you used to excuse yourself from studying Scripture?

That should keep us busy for an hour.  Remember that this really reinforces the chapter in Multiply, so please read that first.  The main point I'm trying to make will make much more sense if you do.