Exodus:3

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* Verse 1-6 - The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties ; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh 's court , the second as a shepherd in Midian , the third as a king in Jeshurun . How changeable is the life of man ! The first appearance of God to Moses , found him tending sheep . This seems a poor employment for a man of his parts and education , yet he rests satisfied with it ; and thus learns meekness and contentment , for which he is more noted in sacred writ , than for all his learning . Satan loves to find us idle ; God is pleased when he finds us employed . Being alone , is a good friend to our communion with God . To his great surprise , Moses saw a bush burning without fire to kindle it . The bush burned , and yet did not burn away ; an emblem of the church in bondage in Egypt . And it fitly reminds us of the church in every age , under its severest persecutions kept by the presence of God from being destroyed . Fire is an emblem , in Scripture , of the Divine holiness and justice , also of the afflictions and trials with which God proves and purifies his people , and even of that baptism of the Holy Ghost , by which sinful affections are consumed , and the soul changed into the Divine nature and image . God gave Moses a gracious call , to which he returned a ready answer . Those that would have communion with God , must attend upon him in the ordinances wherein he is pleased to manifest himself and his glory , though it be in a bush . Putting off the shoe was a token of respect and submission . We ought to draw nigh to God with a solemn pause and preparation , carefully avoiding every thing that looks light and rude , and unbecoming his service . God does not say , I was the God of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , but I am . The patriarchs still live , so many years after their bodies have been in the grave . No length of time can separate the souls of the just from their Maker . By this , God instructed Moses as to another world , and strengthened his belief of a future state . Thus it is interpreted by our Lord Jesus , who , from hence , proves that the dead are raised , Luke strkjv @20:37 . Moses hid his face , as if both ashamed and afraid to look upon God . The more we see of God , and his grace , and covenant love , the more cause we shall see to worship him with reverence and godly fear . * Verse 7-10 - God notices the afflictions of Israel . Their sorrows ; even the secret sorrows of God 's people are known to him . Their cry ; God hears the cries of his afflicted people . The oppression they endured ; the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not above him . God promises speedy deliverance by methods out of the common ways of providence . Those whom God , by his grace , delivers out of a spiritual Egypt , he will bring to a heavenly Canaan . * Verse 11-15 - Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel , and set himself to the work too hastily . Now , when the fittest person on earth for it , he knows his own weakness . This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself . Formerly , self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal , now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility ; so defective are the strongest graces and the best duties of the most eminent saints . But all objections are answered in , Certainly I will be with thee . That is enough . Two names God would now be known by . A name that denotes what he is in himself , I AM THAT I AM . This explains his name Jehovah , and signifies , 1 . That he is self-existent : he has his being of himself . 2 . That he is eternal and unchangeable , and always the same , yesterday , to-day , and for ever . 3 . That he is incomprehensible ; we cannot by searching find him out : this name checks all bold and curious inquiries concerning God . 4 . That he is faithful and true to all his promises , unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature ; let Israel know this , I AM hath sent me unto you . I am , and there is none else besides me . All else have their being from God , and are wholly dependent upon him . Also , here is a name that denotes what God is to his people . The Lord God of your fathers sent me unto you . Moses must revive among them the religion of their fathers , which was almost lost ; and then they might expect the speedy performance of the promises made unto their fathers . * Verse 16-22 - Moses ' success with the elders of Israel would be good . God , who , by his grace , inclines the heart , and opens the ear , could say beforehand , They shall hearken to thy voice ; for he would make them willing in this day of power . As to Pharaoh , Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions , and humble complaints , would not prevail with him ; nor a mighty hand stretched out in signs and wonders . But those will certainly be broken by the power of God 's hand , who will not bow to the power of his word . Pharaoh 's people should furnish Israel with riches at their departure . In Pharaoh 's tyranny and Israel 's oppression , we see the miserable , abject state of sinners . However galling the yoke , they drudge on till the Lord sends redemption . With the invitations of the gospel , God sends the teaching of his Spirit . Thus are men made willing to seek and to strive for deliverance . Satan loses his power to hold them , they come forth with all they have and are , and apply all to the glory of God and the service of his church . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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