A Voice in the Desert
Moses grew up among the Egyptians and learned their wisdom. But in his heart he still loved his own people, the Israelites, who were now poor, hated slaves. Yet they served the Lord God, while the Egyptians worshiped idols and animals.
Moses felt a call from God to help the Israelites. When Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, heard about his efforts to free them from slavery, he became angry. Moses fled to another country when Pharaoh tried to kill him. There he became a shepherd.
One day Moses saw a strange sight. A bush was burning on the mountainside. Though it kept on burning, it was not destroyed.
As Moses approached the bush, the angel of the Lord appeared in the flame. A voice called, “Moses, do not come near; take off your shoes, for you are standing on holy ground.”
Then God told Moses, “Come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, and you shall lead my people out of Egypt.”
Moses replied, “What if the people ask, ‘Who is this God? What is His name?’”
God answered Moses, “Say to them, the I AM has sent me, the One who is always living.”
But Moses wanted to see a special sign, so God performed two miracles. First, He told Moses to throw his rod on the ground. When Moses obeyed, the rod became a serpent. Next, God allowed Moses’ hand to become diseased with leprosy. Then the Lord turned the serpent back into a rod and healed the diseased hand.
Still Moses was unwilling to go, because he thought he could not speak well enough. God answered him, “Am not I the Lord, who made man’s mouth? I will teach you what to say.” Still Moses hesitated. Then God said that Moses’ brother Aaron could be his spokesman. At last Moses yielded to God’s call.
God sent Aaron to meet Moses, and together they headed toward Egypt. They gathered the elders of Israel and told them all the Lord had said.
Exodus 2:11-25; 3; 4
God speaks to Moses from a burning bush.
Parents:
Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:7b-8)
Children:
1. What did God tell Moses to do when he came near the bush?
2. Why did God want Moses to go back to Egypt?
3. What miracle happened with Moses’ rod?