Exodus 3 Summary: A Concise Overview in 5 Minutes

Exodus 3 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Moses was born around 1591 B.C. and left Egypt at 40 years old (Acts 7:23).

• Moses was close to 80 years old when he spoke to God in Exodus 3 (Exodus 7:7).

CHARACTERS:

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The terms “Israelites” and “Hebrews” are used synonymously. They refer to the descendants of Jacob’s family that grew into a large nation. During this period of history, the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians.

• Moses – A Hebrew who grew up in the house of Pharaoh. He fled Egypt in Exodus 2 and went to live in Midian. God used him to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

WHERE:

• The key location in this chapter is Mt. Sinai (Horeb). The location of Mt. Sinai has been hotly debated for years. Some believe it was in the south of the Sinai Peninsula and others place it in Arabia.

OUTLINE:

• MOSES AND THE BURNING BUSH (3:1-22):

  • Moses was shepherding his father-in-law’s flock in Midian on the west side of Horeb, “the mountain of God”, when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame.

  • Moses saw a bush that was on fire but wasn’t being charred or burned up.

  • God called to Moses out of the bush and told him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground.

  • God introduced Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

  • He told Moses He planned to deliver Israel from their Egyptian oppressors and bring them to Canaan, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”

  • God told Moses he would be His representative before Pharaoh, but Moses wasn’t confident in his ability to do the job.

  • God reassured him He would be with him, and he would lead Israel out of Egypt to the very mountain on which they were speaking.

  • When Moses asked God the name he should use to refer to Him, God told him, “I AM WHO I AM.”

  • Moses was to tell the Israelites “I AM” was going to free them from slavery.  

  • Moses was to tell Pharaoh the God of the Hebrews wanted His people to take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices.

  • God knew Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go, and He prophesied He would stretch out His hand against Egypt and humble them with wonders from heaven.

APPLICATION:

• Are God’s promises in the Bible still valid today?

• The New Testament was written almost 2,000 years ago. Can we really rely on God after all this time?

• This chapter shows us God’s promises remain valid no matter how many centuries pass.

• In Genesis 15, God promised Abraham his descendants would be delivered from their oppressors and led back to the land of Canaan.

• Moses was being called by God in preparation to fulfill His promise of Genesis 15.

• That promise was made almost 400 years before Moses spoke to God at the burning bush.

• God never has and never will forget/break a promise. His promises are trustworthy today and they will be just as valid 2,000 years from now.