Moses at the Burning Bush
(Acts 7:30–38)

1Meanwhile, Moses (drawn out) was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro (Reuel),a the priest of Midian (strife). He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb (Mount Sinai),b the mountain of God {Elohim}. 2There the angel (Angel)c of the LORD {YHWH} appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. 3So Moses (drawn out) thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?”

4When the LORD {YHWH} saw that he had gone over to look, God {Elohim} called out to him from within the bush, “Moses (drawn out), Moses!”

“Here I am,” he answered.

5“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground <Act 7:33>.”d 6Then He said, “I am the God {Elohe} of your father, the God of Abraham (father of many), the God of Isaac (he laughs), and the God of Jacob <Mat 22:32, Mrk 12:26, Luk 20:37, Act 7:32>.”e

At this, Moses (drawn out) hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

7The LORD {YHWH} said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt (land of bondage). I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. 8I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians (land of bondage) and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites (merchants), Hittites, Amorites (sayers), Perizzites (villagers), Hivites, and Jebusites (Jerusalemites).

9And now the cry of the Israelites (God prevails) has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians (double straits) are oppressing them. 10Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh (great house) to bring My people the Israelites (God prevails) out of Egypt <Act 7:34>.”f

11But Moses (drawn out) asked God {Elohim}, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh (great house) and bring the Israelites (God prevails) out of Egypt (land of bondage)?”

12“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt (land of bondage), all of you⁺ will worship God {Elohim} on this mountain <Act 7:7>.”g

13Then Moses (drawn out) asked God {Elohim}, “Suppose I go to the Israelites (God prevails) and say to them, ‘The God of your⁺ fathers has sent me to you⁺,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ What should I tell them?”

14God {Elohim} said to Moses (drawn out), “I AM WHO I AM (I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE).h This is what you are to say to the Israelites (God prevails): ‘I AM has sent me to you⁺.’”

15God {Elohim} also told Moses (drawn out), “Say to the Israelites (God prevails), ‘The LORD {YHWH}, the God of your⁺ fathers—the God of Abraham (father of many), the God of Isaac (he laughs), and the God of Jacob (he grasps the heel)—has sent me to you⁺.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.

16Go, assemble the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God) and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of your⁺ fathers—the God of Abraham (father of many), Isaac (he laughs), and Jacob (he grasps the heel)—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you⁺ and have seen what has been done to you⁺ in Egypt (land of bondage). 17And I have promised to bring you⁺ up out of your affliction in Egypt (land of bondage), into the land of the Canaanites (merchants), Hittites, Amorites (sayers), Perizzites (villagers), Hivites, and Jebusites (Jerusalemites)—a land flowing with milk and honey.’

18The elders of Israel will listen to what you say, and you must go with them to the king of Egypt (land of bondage) and tell him, ‘The LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of the Hebrews (those from beyond), has met with us. Now please let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’

19But I know that the king of Egypt (land of bondage) will not allow you⁺ to go unless a mighty hand compels him \except by a mighty hand/.i 20So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians (double straits) with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you⁺.

21And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians (double straits) that when you⁺ leave, you⁺ will not go away empty-handed. 22Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you⁺ will put them on your⁺ sons and daughters. So you⁺ will plunder the Egyptians (double straits).”