The Burning Bush: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

 

“The God Who Still Speaks: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”

Text: Exodus 3:1–6

There are moments in Scripture when heaven touches earth in a powerful way. One such moment occurs in Exodus 3, when Moses, a shepherd tending flocks in the wilderness, comes face to face with a burning bush—a bush that is ablaze with fire, yet not consumed. From this miraculous sight, God speaks. And what He says changes everything.

Let us focus today on what the Lord says in verses 1–6, especially how He introduces Himself as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” What is the significance of this? Why does God describe Himself this way, and what does it mean for Moses—and for us?

A Miraculous Encounter in a Dry Land (Exodus 3:1–3):

Moses was in Midian, living in the quiet obscurity of a shepherd’s life. He had fled Egypt decades earlier, having failed in his own strength to deliver his people. Now, years later, God appears—not in a palace, not in a temple, but in the wilderness.

The burning bush is not just a spectacle—it is a sign. A bush that burns and yet is not consumed speaks to the nature of God Himself: powerful, holy, self-sustaining. Moses had surely seen brushfires in the desert before, but never one like this. He knew this was something divine, something miraculous. It wasn’t just a burning bush—it was a divine invitation.

God still speaks in unexpected places. Are we paying attention? Do we notice the burning bushes in our own lives?

God Calls by Name (Exodus 3:4):

When Moses draws near, God calls him by name: “Moses, Moses!” This repetition shows intimacy, urgency, and care. The same God who called Abraham out of Ur now calls Moses out of obscurity. The same God who guided Isaac and wrestled with Jacob is now stepping into Moses’ life in a personal way.

This is no distant deity. This is a God who knows names, who calls personally, and who invites ordinary people into extraordinary purposes.

The God of the Patriarchs (Exodus 3:6):

Then comes the powerful statement:

“I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

Why is this important?

• Continuity of Covenant: God is reminding Moses that He is the same God who made promises to the patriarchs. His covenant has not been forgotten. The suffering of Israel in Egypt has not canceled His faithfulness. God is saying, “I have not changed. I am still the God of promise.”

• Identity and Legacy: Moses, though raised in Pharaoh’s palace and living in Midian, is still a Hebrew. He grew up hearing the stories of his ancestors. He would have known about Abraham’s faith, Isaac’s obedience, and Jacob’s struggles. By identifying Himself this way, God connects Moses to a legacy of faith—a reminder that he is part of something much bigger than himself.

• God of the Living: Jesus later points out (in Matthew 22:32) that God said “I am the God of Abraham...” not “I was.” This means that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still alive in God’s presence. God is not just the God of history—He is the God of the living. He remains active and involved.

Moses in Midian: Familiar Yet Distant

While Moses had spent 40 years in Midian, he wasn’t ignorant of the God of Israel. His mother likely instilled in him the Hebrew faith before he was taken into Pharaoh’s house. Even in Egypt, he knew he belonged to God’s people—that’s why he struck down the Egyptian taskmaster (Ex. 2:11–12).

In Midian, he lived among people who had a concept of God (Jethro was a priest of Midian), but it likely wasn’t the full covenant knowledge of Yahweh. Still, God had been working quietly in Moses’ heart. Sometimes, even when we feel far from God, He is preparing us. The silence is not absence. The waiting is not wasted.

Reverence Before Revelation (Exodus 3:5–6):

When God tells Moses to take off his sandals, He is commanding reverence. “The place where you are standing is holy ground.” Why? Because God is there. Moses hides his face, afraid to look upon God.

Before God sends Moses to Egypt… before He reveals His name… before He gives His mission… He reveals His holiness.

We must remember that encountering God is not just informative—it is transformative. Holiness precedes calling.

The God who spoke from the burning bush still speaks today. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and He is your God too. He sees, He hears, and He calls.

Moses thought he had been forgotten in the wilderness. But God hadn’t forgotten him—or His people. At just the right time, He called Moses by name.

So let me ask you: Are you listening for God in the wilderness? Are you standing before Him with reverence? Are you ready to respond when He calls your name?

Because the same God of the patriarchs is still at work today—still calling, still faithful, still holy. Amen.

More: EXODUS - Sabbath School Lesson 2 - The Burning Bush