Mother’s Helper / Daddy’s Helper
MOSES AND THE BURNING BUSH
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3-4
There is now a sudden and dramatic change in Moses’ life. This adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter has become a shepherd of Jethro’s (Reuel’s) sheep. While pasturing sheep at Horem, the mountain of God, Moses saw a bush burning, but not being consumed by the fire. Moses was curious, but a voice from the bush told Moses not to come close, but to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground.
The voice said, “I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” This frightened Moses and he hid his face for he was afraid to look upon God.
God told Moses He had seen the way the Israelites were being treated in Egypt and had heard their cry. He told Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt to a wonderful country that God would provide. Moses pointed out his unfitness for this task. God promised to be with him, and bring the Israelites to this mountain where they would worship Him.
Moses then argued the Israelites would not know who sent him to deliver them from bondage. God told Moses to say, “I AM THAT I AM ... I AM hath sent me unto you.” This statement shows the eternal being of God. He always has been, and always will be.
God told Moses the elders of Israel would listen to him, but that Pharaoh would not let them go. God promised many signs and wonders to convince Pharaoh to let them leave. He also told Moses that they would not leave empty‑handed but with riches from the Egyptians.
Moses said, “But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken to my voice; for they will say, Jehovah hath not appeared unto thee.” God told Moses to throw his rod on the ground. It became a serpent, and Moses ran. God told Moses to “take the serpent by the tail.” It became a rod again.
God told Moses to put his hand in his bosom. When Moses withdrew his hand it had become leprous, white as snow. When he put it back into his bosom, the leprosy disappeared. God said if they did not believe the first sign they would believe the second. If they were not then convinced, Moses should take water from the river and pour it out on dry ground and it would become blood.
Moses still argued and said, “I am not eloquent.” God said go and I will teach you what to say. In Exodus 4:13 Moses said, “Oh Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.” Moses contended, “I am not the man, I cannot do the work to be done. Get someone else. I am not big enough for the job. This angered God. He told Moses that Aaron, his brother, could speak well, and would be the spokesman. Moses would give him the word from God to speak”.
God told him to take the rod which was in his hand and use it for signs which would be performed. Moses then quit arguing with God and went his way back to Egypt. God sent Aaron to meet Moses. They were now ready to do God’s work.
Questions
1. What did Moses do in Midian?
2. What did Moses see?
3. Who spoke to him and what did he say?
4. How was Moses affected?
5. What did God want Moses to do?
6. What did Moses begin to do?
7. What was his first excuse?
8. What was his second argument?
9. What was his third reason?
10. Did Moses go to do God’s work?
Drawings to Color
Observations for Parents and Children
1. After forty years as a shepherd, Moses became a very humble and meek man. He was now prepared for the work he thought himself ready for forty years earlier.
2. It is not wise to argue with God. He always has been and always will be right. We must obey God without argument or questioning. His way should become our way.
