Exodus Chapter 3 — God Calls Moses
Summary
Exodus Chapter 3 is a powerful turning point in Moses’ life.
Moses is tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, when he comes to Horeb, the mountain of God. There, he sees something unusual—a bush is on fire, but it is not burning up.
When Moses goes closer to see what is happening, God calls to him from the burning bush:
“Moses! Moses!”
Moses answers, “Here I am.”
God tells Moses not to come any closer and instructs him to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground.
God then identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
God tells Moses that He has seen the suffering of His people in Egypt. He has heard their cries and knows what they are going through.
And then God gives Moses an assignment:
Moses will be the one God sends to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.
Moses immediately feels inadequate and asks:
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?”
But God’s answer is not a list of Moses’ qualifications.
God simply tells him:
“I will be with you.”
Moses then asks what he should tell the Israelites if they ask for God’s name.
God responds:
“I AM WHO I AM.”
God reveals Himself as the eternal, self-existing God—the One who always was, always is, and always will be.
God then gives Moses instructions for what will happen next. He tells him to gather the elders of Israel and explain that God has seen what is happening to them.
God also warns Moses that Pharaoh will not easily let the Israelites go.
But God already knows how the story will unfold.
He promises that He will stretch out His hand, perform wonders in Egypt, and ultimately bring His people out.
Exodus 3 reminds us that when God calls us, He doesn’t expect us to accomplish His purpose through our own strength.
He promises His presence.
Observations
1. God sees and hears His people.
2. God doesn’t call only the people who feel qualified.
3. God’s plans are bigger than what we can see.
Life Application
Exodus Chapter 3 asks us an important question:
What do we do when God calls us to something that feels bigger than us?
Our first reaction may sound a lot like Moses:
“Who am I?”
I’m not ready.
I’m not qualified.
I don’t know enough.
What if I fail?
But maybe we’re asking the wrong question.
Instead of only asking, “Am I capable of doing this?”
We can ask:
“Is God with me in this?”
Because when God calls us, our greatest assurance isn’t our ability.
It’s His presence.
You may not know every step.
You may not feel completely prepared.
You may even be afraid.
But God can work through an ordinary person who is willing to say:
“Here I am.”
Questions
Is there something God may be calling me to do that I’ve been avoiding because I don’t feel qualified?
- Is there an area of my life where I need to remember that God sees, hears, and knows what I’m going through?
- Am I depending more on my own ability or on God’s presence with me?
Memory Verse
Exodus 3:12
“And God said, ‘I will be with you.’”
Encouragement
Maybe you’ve been asking:
“God, do You even see what I’m going through?”
Exodus 3 gives us a beautiful reminder.
He sees you.
He hears you.
And He knows.
The Israelites had been suffering long before Moses encountered the burning bush.
They couldn’t see what God was preparing behind the scenes.
But God was already working.
And when Moses felt inadequate for the assignment ahead of him, God didn’t tell him:
“You’ve got this.”
He told him:
“I will be with you.”
That promise is much stronger.
You don’t have to know exactly how everything will work out.
Keep trusting God with the next step.
Father God,
Thank You for reminding me that You see me, You hear me, and You know exactly what I am going through.
When I feel forgotten, help me remember that You are still working even when I cannot see it.
When You call me to something that feels bigger than me, help me not to focus only on my weaknesses or what I think I lack.
Remind me that my confidence comes from Your presence.
Give me the courage to obey You one step at a time.
Help me recognize when You are speaking and give me a willing heart that says, “Here I am.”
Thank You for being the great I AM—the God who was, who is, and who always will be.
I trust You with my life, my calling, and what comes next.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Read It Yourself
Take some time today to read Exodus Chapter 3 for yourself.
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