Exodus Chapter 3

Before diving into today’s reflection on Exodus 3, I want to share that this study was guided by the journaling prompts in our book, Rooted in Truth: A Reflection Journal for Christian Books. This journal was created to help readers slow down, reflect deeply, and connect Scripture to everyday life — whether studying the Bible, reading Christian books, or preparing Bible studies or blog content like this. If you’d like to explore the same framework I used here, you can find the journal on Amazon at this link.

And with that, let’s begin this week’s reflection.

Exodus 3:1-22 (NIV) – Read it on Bible.com

Key Scriptures and Main Takeaways

Key Verses:

1. Exodus 3:2 (NIV)
   
   “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.”
   
   Main Takeaway:
   God reveals Himself in ways that defy natural understanding. The burning bush represents the holy, yet approachable, nature of God — powerful and consuming, yet sustaining and not destructive. It’s also a symbol of how God can use something ordinary (a bush) for extraordinary purposes. Moses is about to be ignited without being consumed.
   
   
2. Exodus 3:5 (NIV)
   
   “‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’”
   
   Main Takeaway:
   God’s presence transforms common ground into holy ground. Moses is invited into intimacy, but also reverence. This verse reminds us that encountering God requires humility and surrender — a removal of what’s “between” us and the sacred.
   
   
3. Exodus 3:10 (NIV)
   
   “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
   
   Main Takeaway:
   God doesn’t just comfort — He calls. Moses’ encounter is not just a personal moment; it carries a mission. God chooses unlikely people to carry out divine assignments. Moses, once a fugitive, is now commissioned as a deliverer. This reminds us: Your past doesn’t disqualify your calling.
   
   
4. Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
   
   “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.”’”
   
   Main Takeaway:
   This is one of the most profound theological declarations in all of Scripture. “I AM” reveals God’s eternal, self-existent nature. He is unchanging, ever-present, and sovereign. God doesn’t just give Moses His name — He gives him assurance: “I Am everything you will need.”

Main Ideas or Points/Themes/Biblical Principals

1. God’s Calling Comes in the Wilderness
   
   • Theme: God meets us in obscurity, not just in prominence.
   • Principle: Even when we feel hidden, forgotten, or disqualified (like Moses in exile), God is preparing us for something greater. The wilderness is not wasted — it’s where God refines, speaks, and calls.
   • Support: Moses was tending sheep — an ordinary task — when God called him into extraordinary purpose.
     
     
2. God’s Presence Makes the Ordinary Holy
   
   • Theme: God transforms the ordinary into the sacred.
   • Principle: When God shows up, the mundane becomes miraculous. A bush becomes a beacon of divine presence; a desert becomes holy ground.
   • Support: Moses is told to remove his sandals, not because the location was special, but because God was there. This applies to our homes, hearts, and everyday moments.
     
     
3. God is Personal, Powerful, and Present
   
   • Theme: The nature and name of God reveal His character.
   • Principle: “I AM WHO I AM” is a declaration of God’s eternal sufficiency. He is not distant or impersonal; He is the God who sees (Ex. 3:7), hears (v.7), comes down (v.8), and sends (v.10).
   • Support: This name reveals God as unchanging, self-existent, and always enough for every generation and every trial.
     
     
4. Obedience Begins With Reverence
   
   • Theme: Worship precedes mission.
   • Principle: Before Moses can go to Pharaoh, he must take off his sandals. Before God uses us to change the world, He calls us to bow in His presence. True obedience flows from awe, not ambition.
   • Support: God initiates, Moses responds. The relationship comes before the assignment.

Personal Reflections on Exodus 3

1. What spoke to me in this chapter and why?
   
   What gripped me was the idea that God called Moses from the wilderness, not the palace. I’ve often wrestled with feelings of delay or irrelevance — as if too much time had passed, or I’d missed my window. But this chapter reminded me that God doesn’t forget us in the wilderness — He forms us there. The bush burned in the middle of nowhere, yet heaven was paying full attention. That gives me hope: the quiet seasons still count.
   
   
2. Was there anything that challenged you?
   
   Yes — the call to take off my sandals. I realized I sometimes rush into God’s presence with spiritual “shoes” still on — distracted, casual, cluttered. That verse challenged me to slow down, remove the noise, and come before Him with reverence. It’s not about performing; it’s about posturing my heart in holiness.
   
   
3. What truths, commands, or principles stood out?
   
   
   • God sees, hears, and cares — His compassion is active, not passive.
   • God calls the unqualified — He doesn’t wait for perfection; He provides what we lack.
   • “I AM” — That name alone is enough. It holds my fears, questions, and inadequacies in its certainty.
     These truths aren’t just theological — they’re deeply personal and anchoring.
     
     
4. What challenged my thinking or behavior?
   
   The idea that God’s call is bigger than my comfort. Moses was afraid. He questioned his ability. But God didn’t respond by boosting his self-esteem — He responded by promising His presence: “I will be with you.” That reoriented me. I don’t need to be brave or eloquent; I just need to go with God. My excuses don’t outweigh His assurance.

Heart Check

1. Is there a sin to confess, a command to obey, a promise to claim?
   
   Yes — I confess the sin of doubt and delay. Like Moses, I often hesitate when God nudges me toward something uncomfortable. I put more focus on my weaknesses than His strength.
   
   The command is clear: “Go, for I am sending you.”
   The promise I’m claiming is: “I will be with you.” (v.12)
   That one sentence silences every fear.
   
   
2. Did this chapter reveal something new or deepen my view of God?
   
   Absolutely. I was reminded that God is both holy and near. He burns in unapproachable light, and yet He calls us by name. The revelation of “I AM WHO I AM” showed me that God is eternally enough — not just for the world, but for me personally.
   
   He doesn’t change. He doesn’t abandon. He shows up even in burning bushes in the middle of nowhere.
   
   
3. Life Application – How can I actively apply this in my life?
   
   
   • Remove the sandals of distraction in my quiet time. Approach God with reverence, not routine.
   • Say “yes” more quickly when God calls — even if I feel unprepared.
   • Speak the name “I AM” over my insecurities. When I say, “I’m not enough,” I’ll remember that He already declared, “I AM.”
   • Pay attention to small signs. That burning bush may look ordinary at first, but God often speaks through the unnoticed.
     
     
4. Is God calling me to do something with what I’ve learned?
   
   Yes. He’s calling me to stop hiding behind excuses and take the next step of obedience — even if it’s small. Whether it’s starting a conversation, writing something vulnerable, or reaching out to someone in need — I feel the nudge. And I don’t want to miss the bush because I’m too busy looking for a blaze.
   
   
5. Is there someone I should encourage, disciple, or pray for using this insight?
   
   Yes — someone who feels forgotten or stuck in a “wilderness” season. Moses likely felt abandoned in Midian — yet God had him exactly where He needed him to be.
   
   I’ll pray for that person today and share this truth:
   God sees, God hears, God remembers, God comes down.
   
   You are not forgotten. The call may come when you least expect it.
   

Favorite Quotes & Verses to Memorize

Favorite Quotes

“God doesn’t need a palace to speak — a burning bush in the wilderness is enough.” – A reminder that God uses ordinary things to do extraordinary work.

“The closer I draw to God, the more I must remove — even my shoes.” –
Holiness starts with reverence and surrender.

“You don’t need to be enough — I AM is with you.” – God’s name is the answer to all our excuses.

“What looks like obscurity to man is preparation in the hands of God.” –
The wilderness is not punishment — it’s training ground.

Verses or Quotes to Memorize

Exodus 3:5
“‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’”

A call to reverence and worship in God’s presence.

Exodus 3:12
“And God said, ‘I will be with you.’”

The core of our confidence — not in self, but in His presence.

Exodus 3:14
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’”

The eternal, all-sufficient name of God. Unchanging. Ever-present.

Exodus 3:10
“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

A reminder that calling always comes with divine backing.

Gratitude & Prayer

1. Lord, thank you for:
   
   
   • Meeting me in the quiet places.
   • Seeing me even when I feel forgotten.
   • Calling me, even when I feel unqualified.
   • Revealing Yourself as “I AM” — the One who is always enough.
   • Making holy what the world sees as ordinary.
     
     
2. Lord, please help me:
   
   
   • To hear Your voice when You speak.
   • To respond with obedience, not excuses.
   • To walk in the confidence of Your presence, not my ability.
   • To trust that the wilderness is part of Your preparation.
   • To revere Your holiness in both sacred and daily spaces.
     
     
3. Lord, show me where I need to:
   
   
   • Remove distractions that stand between You and me.
   • Let go of fear and hesitation.
   • Obey You, even when I feel small or afraid.
   • Be bold in encouraging others who are walking through “Midian” seasons.
   • Watch for Your presence in unexpected places.
     
     
4. Ask God to help you apply these truths.
   
   
   Father, I come before You barefoot in heart, aware that even this moment is holy ground. Thank You for seeing me, calling me, and being patient with my fears.
   
   I confess the times I’ve let doubt delay obedience. Help me to trust not in my qualifications, but in Your presence. You are “I AM” — everything I need when I feel I’m not enough.
   
   Teach me to notice the burning bushes You place in my path. Stir in me a reverence that leads to action, and a boldness that’s rooted in Your voice. Show me who to encourage, who to pray for, and how to live sent. I give You my yes, even if it shakes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
   

Questions & Challenges for Further Study

1. Questions I Have:
   
   
   • Why did God choose a burning bush instead of something more dramatic or visible like thunder or fire from heaven? What does that say about how He speaks today?
     
   • What was going through Moses’ heart and mind during those 40 years in Midian? Was he still hoping for purpose, or had he given up?
     
   • Why did God respond to Moses’ questions with “I AM WHO I AM” instead of something more specific? How does this shape how we understand God’s identity and nature?
     
   • What are some modern-day examples of “holy ground” — times when God invites us to pause and listen? Have I missed any?
     
     
2. Related Topics I Want to Explore Further:
   
   
   • The names of God throughout Scripture (especially “I AM,” “El Shaddai,” “Jehovah Jireh,” etc.) and what each reveals about His character.
     
   • Other biblical wilderness experiences (e.g., Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus) and how God uses isolation to prepare His people.
     
   • How to discern God’s calling in our own lives — what it looks like practically and how to respond in faith.
     
   • The role of reverence and holiness in the New Testament compared to the Old — what does “holy ground” look like in a grace-based, Spirit-filled life?

Verse Mapping – Exodus 3:14

1. Scripture (NIV)
   
   “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.”’”
   
   
2. Key Words (Hebrew with Definitions)
   
   
   • “I AM WHO I AM” – Hebrew: אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh)
     
     • Ehyeh (אֶהְיֶה) = “I will be,” “I am,” or “I exist”
     • Asher (אֲשֶׁר) = a relative pronoun, meaning “who,” “that,” “which”
     • Combined: “I Am who I Am,” “I will be what I will be,” or “I exist as I exist.”
       
       This expresses self-existence, eternality, unchangeability, and sovereignty. God is not defined by time, need, or anything outside Himself.
       
       
3. Context
   
   Moses had just asked God what name he should give to the Israelites when they ask who sent him (v.13). This is God’s reply — a name that reveals His eternal, all-sufficient, ever-present nature. In a polytheistic culture filled with Egyptian gods, this was a declaration:
   
   “I Am not like them. I Am not made. I simply Am.”
   
   
4. Cross References
   
   
   • John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (Jesus directly invokes this name)
   • Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God… “who is, and who was, and who is to come.”
   • Isaiah 43:10–11 – “Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord…”
   • Colossians 1:17 – “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
     
     
5. Paraphrase in Your Own Words
   
   “I exist without beginning or end. I always have been, and I always will be. I do not depend on anyone or anything — I am the unchanging, eternal God who will be everything My people need.”
   
   
6. Life Application
   
   
   • When I feel uncertain, He is constant.
   • When I feel not enough, He is “I AM” — the God who is enough.
   • This reminds me not to box God in by my circumstances. He defines Himself.
   • Instead of defining God by what He can do for me, I’m called to trust who He is.
     
     Challenge:
     
     Write “I AM” on a sticky note or mirror this week. Every time you doubt or fear, remember: He is present. He is enough. He is with you.
     
     
7. Prayer Response
   
   Lord, You are “I AM.” You are not limited by time, weakness, or my understanding. When I feel unsure, remind me that You never change. You were, You are, and You always will be. I don’t need to have all the answers
   
   — I just need to trust the One who is the answer. Help me to rest in Your presence, move forward with Your promise, and declare with confidence: “I AM has sent me.” Amen.

Journal Entry

Today I’m struck by the fact that God chose to meet Moses in the wilderness — not in a temple, not at a throne, but while he was tending sheep on the backside of the desert. That encourages me deeply. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been in a season of waiting, obscurity, or just going through the motions. But this chapter reminds me that no place is too hidden for God to move. He knows exactly where I am, and He hasn’t forgotten me.

The words “I AM WHO I AM” continue to echo in my heart. God isn’t just a helper — He is everything. I don’t have to strive to be enough when He already is. That takes the pressure off. I can stop looking inward to find strength and start looking upward to find sufficiency. Moses had fears and doubts, just like I do, but God didn’t fix his insecurities — He simply promised His presence. And that was enough.

I’m realizing that obedience doesn’t require perfection — it requires surrender. Like Moses, I want to remove my sandals, bow low, and say “yes” even when I feel afraid. God’s calling is never about comfort; it’s about His glory. And today, I’m choosing to trust that whatever He’s calling me to next… He will go with me.

I hope you enjoyed walking through Exodus 3 with me, and the format. Leave comments below with your thoughts.