Lesson Two : *THE BURNING BUSH*
*Introduction:* This week, we are studying the encounter that Moses had with the Lord before heeding to the call that He had for Moses’ life which was leading His children out of Egypt into the Promised Land.
Memory Text: Exodus 3:7-8(NKJV)
[7] “And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.”
[8] “So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey”
*SABBATH;*God’s call often disrupts our plans—but always to lead us into something better. Like Moses at the burning bush, we may hesitate when the call demands a radical shift. Yet that divine encounter, however unsettling, is the beginning of purpose. Moses didn’t feel ready, but God wasn’t asking for perfection—just obedience. In your own life, has God ever redirected your path? His ways may stretch us, but they always lead to the most meaningful, satisfying life. When the fire of His presence gets your attention, don’t resist. Say yes. The greatest fulfillment is found in walking the path God chooses for you.
*SUNDAY;* Before meeting with the Lord at the burning bush, Moses had lived for 40 years as a Shepherd in Midian, living with his wife, Zipporah and two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. He wrote the books, Genesis(which lays a crucial foundation about salvation from sin) and Job during this period as well, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. From the midst of the burning bush, God introduces Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as a way of reminding Moses about the promise of delivering His children that He had given these early patriarchs.
(READ Exodus 3:1-6)
*MONDAY;* A messenger of the Lord, represented as an angel of the Lord, appeared to be Jesus Christ who appeared to Moses from the midst of the burning bush, since Jesus Christ is the messenger of God who delivers His message unto us. Following the cry of the Israelites, whom God calls His own people, God introduces Moses to the task of leading them out of Egypt. This is a task that Moses sees unfit for Him because He does not see himself worthy enough to fulfill it. This is a great sign of humility that Moses exhibits.
(READ Exodus 3:7-12)
*TUESDAY;* God introduces Himself to Moses as the Eternal God, the God of His own people, the God of the covenant and an intimate God who is well concerned with the issues of His own children. Yahweh is a God who demonstrates His moral power by love and care. Furthermore, knowing and calling upon the name of the Lord is a proclamation of His name which means teaching others the truth concerning this God and the salvation that He offers to all those who come in faith.
(READ Exodus 3:13-22; Joel 2:32)
*WEDNESDAY;* God calls upon Moses as the chosen one to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, however, Moses comes up with excuses so as not to go. God shows him two miraculous signs which are turning his staff into a snake and instantly healing his leprous hand. But despite this, Moses gives excuses of not knowing who He is, not knowing who God is, not being believed by the Israelites and Egyptian rulers, and lack of eloquence. God responds with sending Aaron who would help me in this noble task.
(READ Exodus 4:1-18)
*THURSDAY;* God had commanded Abraham to circumcise the male individuals in his household as a sign between them and God that they would inherit the blessings of obedience through faith. Neglecting to fulfill this on his last son, God was about to kill Moses. But upon this, Zipporah circumcised her son and touched Moses with his blood, an act that stood in as atonement for the sin that Moses was guilty of and this allowed him to go on with his journey to Egypt as a leader of the Israelites. Likewise, we should never fail to do that which is right in the sight of God.
(READ Exodus 4:18-31; Genesis 17:10&11)
*FRIDAY;* Moses appeared reluctant to heed to the call that God had for him. Yhe task of leading the Israelites out of Egypt seemed demanding. However, imagining if Moses would have refused to fulfill this task, he might have disappeared into history instead of literally making history and becoming one of the greatest and most influential people, not just in the Bible, but in the world itself, through the power of God working in him.
(READ “Moses” pp 251-256 in Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G White)
*CAPTIONS:*
SUNDAY; The burning bush
MONDAY; The angel of the Lord
TUESDAY; The name of the Lord
WEDNESDAY; Four excuses
THURSDAY; The circumcision
FRIDAY; Further thought
*DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;*
1. Moses needed 80 years before God deemed him ready for his task. What might this truth teach ud about patience?
2. Why is humility, a sense of our own “unworthiness” so important for anyone who seeks to follow the Lord and do anything for Him?
3. In what ways in your own life have you experienced the closeness and intimacy with Yahweh that He seeks to have in all who are surrendered to Him?
4. What should the story in Exodus 4:18-31 say to you if you are indeed guilty of neglecting what you know you should be doing? What changes do you need to make, even right now?
