Lenten Season · Third Sunday of Lent · Year C

Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15

Moses and the Burning Bush

March 19, 2028

Moses before the Burning Bush, Domenico Fetti — **Moses before the Burning Bush**, Domenico Fetti, c. 1613-1614National Museum, Warsaw · public domain

Roman Lectionary

GospelLuke 13:1-9 Alt. GospelIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: John 4:5-42 orJohn 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

First ReadingExod. 3:1-8a, 13-15 Alt. 1st ReadingIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: Exodus 17:3-7

Responsorial PsalmPs. 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 (8a)Alt. PsalmIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8)

Second Reading1 Cor. 10:1-6, 10-12 Alt. 2nd ReadingIf First Scrutiny of the Elect: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

Overview & Insights

“God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)

The third chapter of Exodus is filled with revelation and interaction. It includes a theophany (the appearing of God) and the story of Moses’ call. Moses meets God for the first time in the burning bush, where God calls him to go back to Egypt. We are reminded of the oppression there and hear the first two of Moses’ five objections to God’s call. Exodus 3 gives the name of the Lord, repeats the promise of land to Abraham’s family, and predicts Pharaoh’s resistance. Finally, God promises to do “wonders” until the Egyptians let the people go and send them away with silver, gold, and clothing. The complete interaction continues through 4:17 and ideally should be read as one conversation.

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Commentary

Exodus 3 Commentaries BibleHub

Verse-by-verse classic commentaries gathered on the opening of the burning bush scene.

Exodus 3 Commentary: Moses and the Burning Bush Enduring Word · David Guzik

A plain-language walk through the whole chapter.

Commentary on Exodus 3:1-15 Working Preacher

A scholar's treatment of this same burning bush pericope as it appears elsewhere in the lectionary.

Exodus 3:1-15 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A preaching-oriented read on the theophany and God's self-naming.

Exodus 3 Commentary Precept Austin

An extensive evangelical commentary compilation on the chapter.

Exodus 3 (Haydock Commentary) Haydock Commentary

A Catholic commentary tradition reading of Moses' call and the divine name.

Background & Word Study

Exodus 3 Interlinear BibleHub

Lets a reader check the Hebrew behind the divine name 'I AM' word by word.

Exodus 3 Sefaria

The Hebrew text of the burning bush story alongside an English translation.

The Church Fathers

Exodus 3 (Catena) Catena

Patristic comments on the burning bush gathered verse by verse.

Questions preachers ask

What happens at the burning bush?

God appears to Moses in a bush that burns but is not consumed, reveals his name I AM, and commissions him to bring Israel out of Egypt, promising, I will be with you.

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