An angel of the L-rd appeared to him [Moses] in a flame of fire from within the thorn bush, and behold, the thorn bush was burning with fire, but the thorn bush was not being consumed. So Moses said, "Let me turn now and see this great spectacle why does the thorn bush not burn up?" (Exodus 3:2-3)

The burning bush, sometimes identified as an acacia tree covered with red flowers and fruit, creates the impression of being illuminated but not consumed. Here in the painting the bush looks like a tree of life with golden light and jewel-like colors. Actually, the burning bush is a metaphor for the tree of life and both are symbols of miraculous energy and sacred light.

Here in the painting, as the Moses approaches the bush to investigate its special lights, his figure is overshadowed by the greatness of the vision. "I must turn aside," says Moses when he sees the burning bush, humbled by the vision and aware of his smallness He is engulfed in the heat of revelation as everything around the bush glows red hot. Tradition tells us that for seven days and nights Moses pleaded with G‑d before accepting the mission to redeem the people of Israel and bring them to Sinai to receive the Torah on a mountain that was also ablaze.