G-d Reveals Himself to Moses

Moses took care of the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro.

Once when he had driven his flocks far out in the desert, a small lamb got lost. After searching for it all over the hills of the desert, Moses found it near the Mount of Horeb. He took the tired little animal in his arms and set out to return to the flocks. Suddenly, an unusual sight attracted his attention.

He saw a thornbush burst out in flame, but although the flames burned continuously, the bush did not turn into ashes. His curiosity aroused, Moses stepped closer, and out of the thornbush, he heard G-d's voice calling:

"Moses, Moses!"

"Here I am," replied Moses.

G-d continued to speak to him, saying: "Do not draw closer! Take off your shoes from your feet; for the place whereon you stand is holy ground. I am the G-d of your father, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

Moses covered his face, for he was afraid to look up to G-d.

G-d then told Moses that He had heard the lamentations of the children of Israel in distress, and that He would deliver them from the hands of the Egyptian oppressors and bring them back into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey. He, Moses, would be the one to go to Pharaoh and lead the Jewish people out of Egypt.

Moses hesitated to accept this great mission. He was afraid he was neither worthy nor able to carry out such a great task. G-d assured him, however, that He would be with him. Still Moses begged to be relieved of this mission. He feared that the children of Israel would not recognize his authority to speak as their leader. If he told them that G-d had sent him, they would demand to know His name.

Thereupon G-d told Moses to identify Him to the children of Israel as the G-d of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Who had now come to redeem them from slavery and take them to the land He had promised their ancestors.