Exodus 3:1-14 NLT

1 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 

2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 

3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 

4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied.

5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. 

6 I am the God of your father —the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.

7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 

8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.

9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them.

10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 

12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” 

13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” 

14 God replied to Moses, “I am who I am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.”

Read/Meditate the Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14 NLT

• It was an ordinary day for Moses who was tending the flock. Then, he noticed an extraordinary fire in a bush. His curiosity led to an amazing encounter with God. What events have led you to encounter God?

• From verses 6 to 14, God revealed His character and His actions. Which ones in particular amaze you?  

• In verse 14, He revealed His name – “I Am Who I am.” God’s response is somewhat cryptic and has been interpreted in a variety of ways: 
• God is a self-existent and independent being;
• God is the creator and sustainer of everything;
• God is unchangeable and so always reliable;
• God is eternal in his existence

(Source: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible)

          What feelings are stirred within you when you hear God’s name “I Am Who I Am?

Pray

• Pray that you remain connected to God by having a daily conversation with Him, that you would be alert and curious to see God’s presence in your daily living.

• Pray that you are prepared (spiritually and physically) to worship God on Sunday, whether it is in-person or on-line. Entering into His presence is “standing on holy ground.”

• Pray that all of us who belong to the family of ACC have the FAITH and COURAGE to tell others in Arlington and Southlake: The “I AM” has sent us to you.