The Bible Book

66

THOUGH THE

BUSH WAS ON

FIRE IT DID

NOT BURN UP

EXODUS 3:3, MOSES AND

THE BURNING BUSH

T

he story of God appearing

to Moses as a burning

bush illustrates not only

His compassion toward His

initially reluctant prophet, but also

His ability to enact His will through

ordinary individuals. Although

Moses would become one of the

most famous figures in the Old

Testament by freeing the Israelites

from 400 years of slavery in Egypt,

at this point in the Bible’s narrative

he is an outcast. An Israelite raised

in Egypt’s royal court after an

Egyptian princess found him

floating in a basket, he fled to

Midian (possibly in Sinai) after

killing an Egyptian he found

beating a Hebrew slave.

IN BRIEF

PA S SAGE

Exodus 3:1– 4:17

THEME

Human inadequacy in

the face of God

SETTING

14th–13th century bce

The foothills of Mount Horeb

(also called Mount Sinai).

KEY FIGURES

Moses A descendant of

Jacob through his son Levi,

tasked by God with liberating

the Israelites. He later becomes

one of the greatest prophets.

Aaron Brother of Moses.

Initially more articulate and

confident than his brother, he

assists Moses in carrying out

God’s plan.

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