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And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. - Exodus 3:2

Abraham’s descendants, known as the people of Israel, settled in Egypt. Their population continued to multiply so the Pharaoh of Egypt began to fear them. He oppressed the people of Israel and subjected them to harsh bondage. Israel groaned, crying out for rescue from their slavery, and God heard their cries. He appointed and called a man named Moses to deliver his people out of Egypt. As Moses was keeping watch over his uncle’s flock, “the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of the fire out of the midst of a bush.”

“A flame of fire” often serves as a sign of God’s special and unique presence in the book of Exodus. God leads his people by a pillar of fire (Ex.13:21) and he descended on Mt. Sanai (Ex.19:18) and the tabernacle in fire (Ex.40:38). God told Moses that he wanted him to lead his people out of Egypt into a good land. Moses didn’t feel qualified for such a great task, but the LORD promised that he would be with him to accomplish their redemption.

The calling of Moses points to a greater calling and rescue. Jesus came to earth to save God's people from slavery to sin. The revelation of the eternal God in a bush that burned but was not destroyed anticipates a greater revelation of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Song: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus