The Burning Bush and the Big Job – March 24, 2025

Read: Exodus 3:1-15

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.”
Exodus 3:1-12 (selected verses)

The Burning Bush and the Big Job

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear . . . ” Are you singing along? “Happy Birthday” is one of the most well-known songs ever! Usually, after you sing to the birthday person, they blow out the candles. But have you ever seen one of those candles that won’t go out, no matter how hard you blow? It’s called a “trick” candle! The person keeps blowing, but the flame just won’t disappear.

Our reading today has something even cooler—but there’s no trick! “There, the angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in flames of fire coming from a bush! But even though the bush was on fire, it didn’t burn up!” (Exodus 3:2).

Whoa! Can you imagine seeing that?

God appeared to Moses in this amazing way and then told him to take off his sandals. That might sound a little strange, but back then, people took off their sandals to show respect in a super special place. And this was definitely a holy place—because God was there!

Moses had no idea that his life was about to change forever. When the angel of the Lord appeared to him, he was just taking care of some sheep. But God was about to give him a HUGE and important job.

God told Moses to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to let the Israelites go. But this wasn’t going to be easy. Pharaoh had been using the Israelites as slaves for a very long time, and he wasn’t just going to say “Okay, sure!”

Moses asked God, “Why me?” That’s a pretty good question! Why would an ordinary guy like Moses be picked for such a big job? Well, the answer is simple: Moses had a BIG and powerful God. The same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses wasn’t going to have to do this alone. God was going to help him every step of the way!

And guess what? That same powerful God is with YOU, too! You don’t have to face life’s challenges or battle your sins alone. Just like Moses, you have everything you need—because you have GOD. Jesus battled sin for you!

You might not see a burning bush, but you can open the Bible and read about his power, his love, and his promise, “I am always with you.”

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for always being with me. Please keep me close to you every single day. Forgive me when I forget to trust you. Make my faith strong and help me remember that you have amazing plans for my life. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What was special about the bush Moses saw?
• Who was with Moses to help him do something hard? Who helps you make good choices?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Has someone ever asked you to do something that felt too hard? How did you feel?
• What happened when you tried to do that hard thing? Did someone help you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Moses had the same God as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What does that tell us about God?
• Moses had a big job, but God was with him. What is something hard in your life right now that you can ask God to help with?