Pentecost Season · Proper 17 · Year A
Exodus 3:1-15
Moses and the Burning Bush
August 30, 2026
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
Commentary on Exodus 3:1-15 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this Year A reading by a named seminary scholar.
Exodus 3 - Moses and the Burning Bush Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the call of Moses and the divine name.
Exodus 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the burning bush and the revelation of the name.
Exodus 3:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further voice on the passage.
Exodus 3 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page collecting word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Exodus 3 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
The Hebrew of the call narrative alongside English with linked Jewish commentary, including the name YHWH.
Exodus 3:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Hebrew of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Exodus 1-18 Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of the first half of Exodus that frames the call of Moses.
The Church Fathers
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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