The Burning Bush: When God Spoke and Moses Listened

Thorn Ville Church – A moment unfolded that would alter the course of history began not with thunder or lightning, but with The Burning Bush on fire that did not burn. In that strange, sacred encounter, God called out to a shepherd named Moses, and a divine mission began.

The story of the burning bush, found in Exodus 3, is more than just a miraculous spectacle. It’s a turning point for Moses, for Israel, and for every believer who’s ever paused to ask, “What is God saying to me right now?”

The Man Before the Mission

By the time Moses stumbled upon the burning bush, he was not the confident prince of Egypt. He had been gone from Pharaoh’s palace for decades, living as a shepherd in Midian. Once raised in royalty, he was now an exile, a fugitive, a man shaped by failure.

He had tried to help his people once before by killing an Egyptian overseer but that plan had failed miserably. Now in his 80s, Moses likely considered his life settled and quiet. Perhaps he thought his best days were behind him.

But God had other plans.

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The Fire That Didn’t Burn Out

As Moses tended the flock, he noticed something strange a bush engulfed in flames, yet not consumed. Curious, he drew near. That’s when God spoke:

“Moses, Moses!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
— Exodus 3:4

God’s call came not from a throne or a temple, but from fire in the wilderness. He told Moses to remove his sandals a sign that he was standing on holy ground.

This burning bush wasn’t just a sign it was a symbol of God’s presence. It burned with intensity but wasn’t destroyed, representing both God’s purity and power, and perhaps the enduring struggle of His people in Egypt who, though suffering, would not be consumed.

A Call with Excuses

God didn’t waste time. He revealed His plan: Moses would return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. But Moses, shocked and hesitant, responded with a series of doubts:

• “Who am I that I should go?”
• “What if they don’t believe me?”
• “I’m not good with words.”

Like many of us, Moses focused on his weaknesses, but God focused on His presence:

“I will be with you.”
— Exodus 3:12

That was the promise. God didn’t ask Moses to be perfect. He asked him to be available to listen, to trust, and to move.

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The God Who Sees and Sends

In this sacred encounter, God reveals a key part of His character. He is not distant. He is not unaware. He says:

“I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out… and I am concerned about their suffering.”
— Exodus 3:7

God sees. God hears. And God responds often by sending someone.

The burning bush reminds us that divine missions often begin with quiet obedience. Moses wasn’t chosen because of eloquence or strength, but because he was willing to turn aside, listen, and follow.

The Wilderness as a Place of Revelation

One powerful theme of the burning bush story is that God speaks in the wilderness.

The wilderness is often a metaphor for emptiness, silence, or struggle. Yet time and again in Scripture, it is in the wilderness that God meets people personally. For Moses, that dry, quiet land became holy ground.

Many of us long to hear from God, yet we flee silence. We avoid the lonely places where God’s voice might actually break through. The burning bush story invites us to rethink how we see the wilderness. Maybe your current season quiet, dry, confusing is the very place where God will speak clearly.

We are reminded:

• Burning bushes still appear — but we have to notice them.
• God’s call may disrupt comfort — but it leads to purpose.
• Listening to God doesn’t always feel convenient — but it always matters.

When God spoke, Moses listened. And the world was never the same.