I. Awe in the Ordinary (Exodus 3:1-3)
Exodus 3:1-3 CSB – 1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 Then the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. 3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up? “
A. Just a Day (verse 1)
1. Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Exodus 17:6
“I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.
+ Click to add your own note
B. Something is (verse 2)
2 Then the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed.
+ Click to add your own note
C. got Moses (verse 3)
3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up? “
Psalm 111:2-4
2 The LORD’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them. 3 All that he does is splendid and majestic; his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered. The LORD is gracious and compassionate.
II. The of Divine Holiness (Exodus 3:4-6)
Exodus 3:4-6 CSB – 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses! ” “Here I am,” he answered. 5 “Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he continued, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.
A. Attention (v. 4)
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses! “Here I am,” he answered.
Genesis 22:1
1 After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham! “Here I am,” he answered.
+ Click to add your own note
B. Hold Up, Right There (v. 5)
5 “Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong.
+ Click to add your own note
C. It’s Me! (v. 6)
6 Then he continued, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.
Daniel 10:7-9
7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran and hid. 8 I was left alone, looking at this great vision. No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. 9 I heard the words he said, and when I heard them, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
Leviticus 11:45
45 “For I am the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy.
+ Click to add your own note
III. Why Holiness Everywhere (Exodus 3:7-10)
7 Then the LORD said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, 8 “and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey — the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 9 “So because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them, 10 “Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
A. God’s Holiness is connected to
7 Then the LORD said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings,
Psalm 34:4, 6
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. … 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him from all his troubles.
+ Click to add your own note
B. Holiness expressed in
8 “and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey — the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 9 “So because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them,
Exodus 33:2
“I will send an angel ahead of you and will drive out the
Canaanites, Amorites, Hethites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
+ Click to add your own note
C. Holiness empowers a
10 “Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
Psalm 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. 2 He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and they will trust in the LORD.
+ Click to add your own note
The Holiness of God
Is the foundation of His compassion.
Shows His commitment to redemption
Demonstrates Resolve to His mission.
Community Life Group Discussion Questions
These questions are designed to promote conversation and discussion in the group. (Try to avoid one-word answers. 😀)
(Genesis 3:1-3) How can we cultivate a greater awareness of God’s potential to reveal Himself in the everyday aspects of our lives, rather than just in traditionally “spiritual” settings?
(Genesis 3:5) God commanded Moses to “remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” What does this symbolize about preparing ourselves to meet with God? What “sandals” (distractions, attitudes, or worldly concerns) might we need to remove when we approach God today?
(Genesis 3:7-9) God’s holiness not only fuels His compassion but also leads to redemption. How does God’s plan to “rescue them” and “bring them… to a good and spacious land” demonstrate His active involvement in the world because of His holy nature?
How can we pray for you?