Overview:
Moses met God during his normal, day-to-day experiences. He didn’t expect something supernatural while he served as a shepherd in Exodus 3.
Yet God’s entrance into Moses’ life came unexpectedly and powerfully. That day he received an assignment from God and a deep revelation of the Father’s character.
Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll as he applies lessons from Moses’ experience for every believer. The crux of Moses’ commissioning rested on God and His strength rather than on Moses’ ability. The same is true for you!
Message Summary:
In this sixth message of the series Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the iconic encounter between God and Moses at the burning bush. After forty years of quiet obscurity in the desert, Moses receives a supernatural commissioning that would change the course of history. This study reveals that God is the God of second chances, meeting us in our ordinary routines to invite us into His extraordinary purposes.
Message Key Facts:
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The Setting: Mount Horeb (also known as the “mountain of God”). Moses was performing his daily duties as a shepherd for his father-in-law, Jethro.
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The Phenomenon: A bush that was burning with fire but was not consumed—a visual representation of God’s sustaining presence.
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The Revelation: God identifies Himself as the “God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” signaling His faithfulness across generations.
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The Call: God declares that He has seen the oppression of His people in Egypt and has chosen Moses to be the instrument of their deliverance.
Message References:
Primary Scripture Reference: Exodus 3:1–10
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Exodus 3:1–3: Moses notices the burning bush and turns aside to investigate, demonstrating the importance of being attentive to God’s presence.
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Exodus 3:4–5: God calls Moses by name and commands him to remove his sandals, for he is standing on “holy ground.”
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Exodus 3:7–8: God expresses His compassion and His intent to rescue Israel and bring them into a “land flowing with milk and honey.”
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Exodus 3:10: The specific command: “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Lessons on God’s Commissioning
Pastor Chuck Swindoll highlights how God’s call is based on His strength rather than our ability:
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God meets us in the ordinary: Moses wasn’t in a cathedral or a palace; he was at work. God often speaks to us in the middle of our daily, mundane responsibilities.
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The importance of “turning aside”: Had Moses ignored the bush, he might have missed the call. We must be willing to pause our schedules to listen to what God is saying.
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Holiness requires humility: Removing sandals was a sign of servanthood and respect. We must approach God with a heart that recognizes His holiness and our dependence on Him.
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Second chances are God’s specialty: At eighty years old, Moses likely thought his time for significance had passed. God shows that failure and age are no barriers to His sovereign plan.
