Exodus Chapter 3 - Burning Bush

Chapter 3 Verse 1

• "And he led the flock behind the wilderness" indicates Moshe's maturity and leadership by keeping the flock away from populated areas and private property.
• "To the mountain of God" hints at the future giving of the Torah.

Chapter 3 Verse 2

• "In a flame of fire" from the burning bush symbolizes both the enslavement of Israel and God's presence.
• "And the bush was not consumed" represents the endurance of the Jewish people, being a true miracle with no consumption of the bush.

Chapter 3 Verse 3

• The sight of the burning bush indicates a divine revelation, of which Moses is curious to investigate.
• Various interpretations of the bush:
  • Because it's the first sign God did in his presence.
  • God's appears as a weak bush, representing Bnai Yisrael.
  • Like a bird trapped in a thorny bush, representing the Israelites stuck in Egypt.

Chapter 3 Verse 4

• "Moses, Moses" is repeated to emphasize closeness.
• "Here I am" shows Moses’ readiness and commitment to God.

Chapter 3 Verse 5

• "Do not draw near here" because removing shoes symbolizes holiness and the rules one must follow in God's presence.
• The place is holy because of God’s manifestation, and Moshe can't approach because he's not pure enough.

Chapter 3 Verse 6

• Moses hides his face to show fear of God.
• Moses' action displays humility and recognizes his lower status before God.

God's Revelation to Moses

• God is revealed through a burning bush that is not consumed.
• God tells Moses about the painful enslavement, torment, and oppression of the Israelites in Egypt.
• God promises to bring them out of Egypt to a spacious, good land.
• God chooses Moses as a prophet and leader.
• God assures Moses that the people will worship Him on Mount Sinai after the Exodus.

Chapter 3 Verse 7

• "I have surely seen" expresses the crucial nature of saving the Jews, and God's awareness of Egyptian culpability.
• "For I know their sorrows" implies a deep, emotional understanding and empathy for their suffering.
• God sees the suffering, hears the cries, and promises the freedom of Bnai Yisrael.

Chapter 3 Verse 8

• "And I have come down to save them" emphasizes divine intervention in history.
• It suggests an active and present divine presence, not just distant control.
• God remembers his covenant with Abraham and is obligated to fulfill it.

Chapter 3 Verse 9

• "Now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to me":
  • Why now? Because God saw the intensified suffering and heard their prayers, meaning the Jews had made t'shuvah and were therefore ready to be freed.
  • Indicates accepted prayers and forthcoming redemption.
• "And I have also seen the oppression" reveals the increasing oppression necessitating action.

Turning Point

• God appoints and prepares Moses for his mission
• Moses is selected as the first ever leader of the Jewish people based on faith in his abilities and character.

Chapters 3 Verse 10-22

• God appoints Moses to lead the exodus from Egypt, which is the first time a Jewish leader has been assigned.
• Moses questions his capacity to lead the nation.
• "This shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you," God responds, their bond cemented upon receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai.
• Moses asks how the Israelites will know that God sent him and why they should trust him.
• "I Am Who I Am" – God proclaims His eternal existence by telling Moses to say "I Am" sent you
• God's name for generations – "The Lord, God of your fathers”, the God of Avraham, Isaac and Jacob who also understands the oppression they are facing.
• Moses must gather the elders of Israel and make them aware of his mission.
• God guarantees to take the people from Egypt to a good land.
• The elders of Israel will have faith in Moses' mission and will ask Pharoh to walk in the desert for 3 days in order to sacrifice to God.
• "The king of Egypt will not let you go" – Pharaoh will not easily agree to release the Jews if Moses doesn't show Pharaoh his power.
• God will perform plagues/miracles upon Egypt to liberate the people.
• Egyptians will give Israelites lots of riches as they depart.
• Israelites will ask for items of silver and gold and will depart with great wealth.

Chapter 4 Verse 1

• Moses expresses doubt that the Israelites will believe him or listen to his words.
• Moses is concerned about his credibility of whether the people will believe he was sent by God.
• This shows Moses’ lack of confidence as a leader.

Chapter 4 Verse 2

• God asks Moses, "What is that in your hand?" Moses answers, "A staff."
• God brings Moses’ attention to a simple object, which will become a miraculous object.
• This is the first sign proving his holy mission.

Chapter 4 Verse 3

• God instructs Moses to throw the staff to the ground, and it turns into a snake; Moses recoils in fear.
• This shows God’s control over nature.
• Moses is surprised and scared—he is still in the process of adapting to his new role.
• This is evidence to Moses that God is with him
• The serpent symbolizes the Lashon Hara of Garden of Eden as a caution to Moses.

Chapter 4 Verse 4

• God instructs Moses to grab the snake by its tail; Moses obeys, and the snake turns back into a staff.
• This requires faith since grabbing a snake by the tail is dangerous, but Moses trusts in God.
• The return to a staff proves this is not mere magic but a true miracle.

Chapter 4 Verse 5

• God explains that this sign is intended to persuade the Israelites that the God of their forefathers has appeared to Moses.
• This responds directly to Moses' anxieties by offering palpable evidence.
• Moses should trust God like his forefathers did

Chapter 4 Verse 6

• God commands Moses to place his hand inside his cloak; when he removes it, it is leprous, as white as snow.
• This is the second miracle, demonstrating control over disease and the human body.
• Leprosy was seen as a severe affliction, making this an impressive sign.

Chapter 4 Verse 7

• God instructs Moses to return his hand to his cloak, and when he takes it out again, it is healed.
• The miracle reinforces that God controls both affliction and healing.

Chapter 4 Verse 8

• God says that if the Israelites do not believe the first sign, they will believe the second.
• This hints at possible skepticism, so multiple miracles will strengthen their faith.

Chapter 4 Verse 9

• If they still do not believe, Moses is to take water from the Nile, pour it on dry ground, and it will turn to blood.
• This foreshadows the first plaque.
• The Nile was Egypt’s life source, so turning it to blood is a momentous sign.

Chapter 4 Verse 10

• Moses tells God he is not eloquent—"I am slow of speech and tongue."
• Moses expresses self-doubt, possibly due to a speech impediment or fear of public speaking.

Chapter 4 Verse 11

• God responds that He is the one who gives humans speech, sight, hearing, or muteness.
• This is a rebuke—Moses does not need to worry, as God controls human abilities.

Chapter 4 Verse 12

• God assures Moses that He will be with him and teach him what to say.
• Moses will not have to face this alone—God will guide him.

Chapter 4 Verse 13

• Moses still hesitates and asks God to send someone else instead.
• Despite God’s assurances, Moses wants to avoid the responsibility.
• This could stem from humility, fear, or a desire to escape leadership.

Chapter 4 Verse 14

• God becomes angry but provides a solution: Aaron, Moses’ brother, will serve as his spokesperson.
• This shows God’s patience, even though He is frustrated with Moses.
• Aaron is introduced as a supporting figure to strengthen Moses’ mission.

Chapter 4 Verse 15

• Moses will relay God’s words to Aaron, and God will guide both of them.
• Even though Aaron will speak, Moses remains the primary leader who receives divine instruction.

Chapter 4 Verse 16

• Aaron will speak on Moses’ behalf, and Moses will be "like God" to him.
• This establishes a clear hierarchy—God speaks to Moses, Moses speaks to Aaron, and Aaron delivers the message.

Chapter 4 Verse 17

• Moses must take his staff, as it will be the instrument of miracles.
• The staff becomes a symbol of divine power, which will be used in the plagues.
• There is therefore, debate between God and Moses revolving around Moses’ reluctance to lead and low self confidence

Moses’ problems

• With Bnai Yisrael:
  • They won’t accept his leadership
  • They don’t recognize God
  • They won’t believe God appears to him
• With himself:
  • “Who am I” a shepherd
  • They won’t trust me
  • I have a stutter
• With Pharaoh:
  • I’m just a random shepherd who has a stutter, yet he’s the king of Egypt

Chapter 4 Verse 18

• Moses asks his father-in-law, Jethro, for permission to return to Egypt and check on his people; Jethro agrees.
• Moses shows respect for his family by asking for permission.
• Jethro’s approval removes a potential obstacle to Moses’ mission because he had sworn to Yitro he would never leave him.

Chapter 4 Verse 19

• God tells Moses to go straight to Egypt because those who sought to kill him are now dead.
• Moses was wanted for killing the Egyptian (Exodus 2:12), so this assurance is crucial for him.
• This provides another reason to go back to Egypt along with going to aid the Jews escape.
• The passuk proves God is talking about leaving Midian permanently.

Chapter 4 Verse 20

• Moses takes his wife and sons, places them on a donkey, and sets off for Egypt with "the staff of God”.
• This marks Moses’ official transition from Midianite shepherd to divine messenger.
• The staff is now referred to as "the staff of God," emphasizing its significance.
• Moses believes in his ability now, and no longer questions God.
• Moses believes in the power of God.
• He arrives in Egypt with his family, which gives trust and confidence among the Jewish nation..
• The donkey that Moses and family road was the same Donkey that Abraham used to perform the Akeida.
• Proves how important and special this mission is.

Chapter 4 Verse 21

• God warns Moses that He will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will not let the people go or the 3 day walk in the desert.
• God says to Moses, when you go back to Egypt, use the miracles He showed you to make him more likely to let you go on the three day journey to worship God.
• God will harden his heart so he won’t let you go, therefore Moses doesn’t lose hope when it doesn’t work.
• This is why God wants Moses to go to not be scared of Pharoah, and to overcome him.

Chapter 4 Verse 22

• God instructs Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel is His "firstborn son.”, and that saying no to Moses is akin to saying no to God.
• The firstborn son metaphor symbolizes special status and responsibility.
• Israel is the chosen nation, but they must fulfill their spiritual role.

Chapter 4 Verse 23

• God gives Moses guidelines to approach Pharoah in that if he refuses to release Israel, God’s first born, his own firstborn son will die.
• This is a direct threat, foreshadowing of the final plague.
• God asserts His ultimate authority and Israel is related to God’s 1st born son.
• God feels compassion on the Jewish people as if they are his first born son and must do what he can to free them.

Chapter 4 Verse 24

• On the way to Egypt, at an inn, God encounters Moses and seeks to kill him for neglecting to circumcise his son.
• Which is a direct disregard to the agreement between God and Moses’ forefather Abraham.
• Moses was thinking, I’ll do it, and then reach a home, then do it.
• However, it wasn’t negligence, it was trying to not kill his child since it is dangerous to do Brit Milah on a donkey.
• God understood this but was mad that Moses put away his belongings at the inn instead of fulfilling the Brit first.

Chapter 4 Verse 25

• Zipporah then takes a stone knife, circumcises her son, and throws the foreskin down to Moses’ feet
• She calls her son Eliezer, as a "bridegroom of blood,"
• Tziporrah then took this action since she had committed to it upon marriage with Moses.

Chapter 4 Verse 26

• The angel of God then leaves Moses, and Zipporah repeats what she said.
• This is so to suggest that Moses’ failure to circumcise his son could have led to God's anger, so that Zipporah's act of circumcision appeases God.
• Her repeating that she almost lost Moses, meant she in that moment truly realized she almost lost Moses.