Old Testament · Exodus

Exodus 3

King James Version · Study Bible

Author

Moses

Written

~1446-1406 BC

Key Theme

Divine call and covenant promise

Setting

Midian desert, burning bush encounter

Key Verse

Exodus 3:14

Total Verses

22

Chapter Introduction

_In the quiet of the desert, God chose a humble shepherd to hear His voice. He revealed Himself in a flame that did not consume, reminding us that God's presence transcends our circumstances. Moses was called to remove his shoes, a simple act of reverence that opens the way for divine purpose. May this encounter inspire us to hear and obey God's call in our own lives._

Exodus — Chapter 3 — KJV
1

Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

Simply PutIn the quiet of Midian’s wilderness, Moses tended his father-in-law Jethro’s flock (Strong's H7208). He led them to the far side of the desert, arriving at Horeb—the “mountain” (Strong's H7140) where God is known to dwell. Even in the emptiness of the desert, God's presence waits.
2

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

Simply PutGod’s messenger, the “angel of the LORD” (Strong's H4448), appeared in a sudden flame of fire (Strong's H259) from within a bush. Moses saw the bush blaze, yet it was not consumed (Strong's H7119), showing that God’s power can be intense without destroying.
3

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

Simply PutMoses turned aside (Strong's H7077), drawn by curiosity to witness this “great sight.” In moments of doubt or wonder, turning away from our tasks can bring us to a deeper encounter with God.
4

And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

Simply PutSeeing Moses pause, God called him by name from the middle of the bush. The personal “Moses” reminds us that God knows each of us individually and calls us by name.
5

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Simply PutGod warned Moses not to approach too closely, telling him to remove his sandals because the spot was holy ground (Strong's H3473). The holiness of a place calls us to humility and reverence before the Divine.
6

Moreover he said, I am the God of thy 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 upon God.

Simply PutGod introduced Himself as “I AM” (Strong's H196), the same God who promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses hid his face in fear, showing that we often feel awe and trembling when we encounter God’s majesty.
7

And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Simply PutThe LORD said He had seen the affliction (Strong's H603) of His people in Egypt and heard their cries (Strong's H559). In our pain, God sees us and hears the silent sighs of our hearts.
8

And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Simply PutHe promised to deliver them from Egyptian oppression and lead them into a good, spacious land flowing with milk and honey (Strong's H5069). The promise of abundance offers hope beyond our current hardships.
9

Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

Simply PutHe confirmed that the cry of Israel had reached Him and He had witnessed Egypt’s oppression. Even when we feel unheard, God is already aware of our suffering.
10

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Simply Put“Come now,” He said, sending Moses to Pharaoh. God often calls ordinary people to become His messengers in extraordinary moments.
11

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Simply PutMoses asked, “Who am I?” (Strong's H560) to be sent to Pharaoh. In doubt, we can trust that God equips us for His purposes.
12

And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Simply PutGod assured Moses of His presence (Strong's H196) and gave him a token—a sign that He had sent him. When we see God's signs, our faith is strengthened.
13

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

14

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Simply PutGod declared, “I AM THAT I AM” (Strong's H196). This name tells us that God is self-existent, unchanging, and eternally present.
15

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Simply PutHe told Moses to tell Israel that the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sent Him. This name is a memorial (Strong's H3325) for all generations, reminding us of God’s enduring covenant.
16

Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

Simply PutMoses was instructed to gather the elders and tell them that the LORD God of their fathers has visited them. Leadership is called to convey hope in times of trial.
17

And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

Simply PutGod promised to bring them out of Egyptian affliction into a land flowing with milk and honey. The promise offers a future beyond present suffering.
18

And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

Simply PutHe told Moses that the Israelites would listen, and together they would ask Pharaoh for a three-day journey to worship God. Small steps of obedience lead toward spiritual freedom.
19

And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.

Simply PutThe king of Egypt would not let them go “by a mighty hand” (Strong's H5445), but by a strong hand. God’s power is needed to break down human resistance.
20

And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

Simply PutHe would stretch out His hand (Strong's H603) and smite Egypt with wonders, then the people would be released. Divine intervention paves the way for deliverance.
21

And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:

Simply PutGod promised to give favor (Strong's H207) in the eyes of Egyptians, ensuring they would not leave empty-handed. Blessing accompanies obedience.
22

But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

Simply PutEvery woman would borrow silver and gold from neighbors, putting them on their children, thereby spoiling Egypt. This shows that God’s people would inherit the wealth of those who oppressed them, turning loss into gain.
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Reflect

What current transition or challenge feels like your own “Egypt,” and how does the promise “Certainly I will be with thee” shape the way you feel called to step onto your next “mountain”?

✦ Cross-References

Genesis 12:7God appears to Abram and promises the land, echoing His appearance in the burning bush as a covenantal sign.
Genesis 28:13The LORD stands above the ladder and promises to be with Jacob, paralleling His presence in the bush as a divine encounter.
Numbers 12:7God rebukes Miriam and Aaron for speaking against Moses, referencing the burning bush as evidence of His special revelation to him.
John 8:58Jesus declares “I am,” directly invoking the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3.