God sends Moses to speak to the king of Egypt

God speaks to Moses

1One day, Moses was taking care of the sheep and goats of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses decided to lead them across the desert to Sinai,3.1 Sinai: The Hebrew text has “Horeb”, another name for Sinai. the holy mountain. 2There an angel of the LORD appeared to him from a burning bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not burning up.3.2-10: Ac 7.30-34. 3“This is strange!” he said to himself. “I'll go over and see why the bush isn't burning up.”

4When the LORD saw Moses coming near the bush, he called him by name, and Moses answered, “Here I am.”

5God replied, “Don't come any closer. Take off your sandals—the ground where you are standing is holy. 6I am the God who was worshipped by your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Moses was afraid to look at God, and so he hid his face.

7The LORD said:

I have seen how my people are suffering as slaves in Egypt, and I have heard them beg for my help because of the way they are being ill-treated. I feel sorry for them, 8and I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians.

I will bring my people out of Egypt into a country where there is good land, rich with milk and honey. I will give them the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9My people have begged for my help, and I have seen how cruel the Egyptians are to them. 10Now go to the king! I am sending you to lead my people out of his country.

11But Moses said, “Who am I to go to the king and lead your people out of Egypt?”

12God replied, “I will be with you. And you will know that I am the one who sent you, when you worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.”3.12 I will be with you…out of Egypt: Or “I will be with you. This bush is a sign that I am the one sending you, and it is a promise that you will worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.”

13Moses answered, “I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshipped has sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?”3.13: Ex 6.2,3.

14-15God said to Moses:3.14: Rev 1.4,8.

I am the eternal God. So tell them that the LORD,3.14-15 Lord: The Hebrew text has “Yahweh”, which is usually translated “Lord” in the CEV. Since it seems related to the word translated “I am”, it may mean “I am the one who is” or “I will be what I will be” or “I am the one who brings into being”. whose name is “I Am”, has sent you. This is my name for ever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.

16Call together the leaders of Israel and tell them that the God who was worshipped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to you. Tell them I have seen how terribly they are being treated in Egypt, 17and I promise to lead them out of their troubles. I will give them a land rich with milk and honey, where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live.

18The leaders of Israel will listen to you. Then you must take them to the king of Egypt and say, “The LORD God of the Hebrews has appeared to us. Let us walk three days into the desert, where we can offer a sacrifice to him.” 19But I know that the king of Egypt won't let you go unless something forces him to. 20So I will use my mighty power to perform all kinds of miracles and strike down the Egyptians. Then the king will send you away.

21After I punish the Egyptians, they will be so afraid of you that they will give you anything you want. You are my people, and I will let you take many things with you when you leave the land of Egypt.3.21,22: Ex 12.35,36. 22Every Israelite woman will go to her Egyptian neighbours or to any Egyptian woman living in her house. She will ask them for gold and silver jewellery and for their finest clothes. The Egyptians will give them to you, and you will put these fine things on your sons and daughters. You will carry all this away when you leave Egypt.