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the bush was on fire and was not burnt[1]. He said: “I will go near to see why the bush is not burnt.” As Moses drew near, the Lord cried out to him from the burning bush: “Moses, Moses!” And he answered: “Here I am.” And God said: “Come not

nigh hither. Put off the shoes[2] from thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground[3]. I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

Moses, in awful reverence, hid[4] his face, and dared not look at God. The Lord said to him: “I have seen[5] the affliction of my people in Egypt, and I am come to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians, and to bring them out of that land into a land flowing with milk[6] and honey.” The Lord further told Moses that he should go to Pharao to demand the liberation of the children of Israel. Moses answered: “Who am I[7] that I should go to Pharao, and should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” The Lord said: “I will be with thee.”[8]

Moses objected that the people would not believe him, but would ask who[9] sent him. Then God said to Moses: “I am who am [10]. Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: He who is , hath sent me to you.” Moses answered and said: “They will not believe me, nor hear my voice; but they will say: The Lord hath not appeared [11] to thee.” Then God asked Moses: “What is it that thou holdest in thy hand?” Moses answered: “A rod.” [12] The Lord then told Moses to cast his rod upon the

  1. ↑ Not burnt . The fire was a supernatural, not a natural phenomenon.
  2. ↑ Put off the shoes. The removal of shoes or sandals was a mark of reverence. The Jewish priests had to be bare-footed, when serving in the sanctuary.
  3. ↑ Holy ground. Because of the presence of God manifesting Himself to Moses.
  4. ↑ Hid. Or covered it.
  5. ↑ Seen. And heard their cry for help and deliverance.
  6. ↑ Flowing with milk and honey. Such a rich, fertile land that it produces milk and honey in plenty.
  7. ↑ Who am I. How can I, a poor shepherd, undertake such a great work?
  8. ↑ Be with thee. “I will protect you and stand by you.”
  9. ↑ Who. Why would they ask this? In order to prove whether it were the true God, who had appeared to him.
  10. ↑ I am who am. I am He who exists of Himself; He who is. This is the proper Name of God, and the meaning of the word ‘Jehova*.
  11. ↑ Hath not appeared. This is the third time that Moses raised an objection.
  12. ↑ A rod. His shepherd’s staff. This staff, consecrated by these miracles, was to be the sign of Moses’ leadership of the people.
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