The Burning Bush - God Calls Moses

Moses ran far away to a land called Midian. There he became a shepherd, taking care of sheep for a man named Jethro. Moses got married and lived as a shepherd for forty years! He was now eighty years old.

One day, Moses was leading his flock near a mountain called Horeb. Suddenly, he saw something amazing - a bush that was on fire! But the bush wasn't burning up! The flames danced and flickered, but the branches and leaves stayed green!

"This is strange!" Moses thought. "I must go closer and see why the bush doesn't burn up!" As Moses walked toward the bush, God called to him from inside the flames!

"Moses! Moses!" God said.

"Here I am," Moses answered, his voice shaking.

God said, "Don't come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!"

Moses was terrified! He hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.

God continued, "I have seen how my people are suffering in Egypt. I have heard them crying because of their slave masters. I am concerned about their pain. So I have come down to rescue them from the Egyptians and bring them to a good land - a land flowing with milk and honey!"

Moses listened carefully. Then God said the words Moses never expected: "So now, go! I am sending YOU to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt!"

Moses was shocked! "Who am I to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? I can't do that!"

But God promised, "I will be with you!"

Moses asked, "When I go to the Israelites and tell them 'The God of your fathers has sent me,' they will ask, 'What is his name?' What should I tell them?"

God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. Tell them, 'I AM has sent me to you.' This is my name forever!"

Moses made more excuses. "What if they don't believe me?"

God gave Moses amazing powers! God turned Moses' staff into a snake and back again! He made Moses' hand leprous and then healed it! God said, "These signs will prove that I sent you!"

Moses tried one more excuse: "O Lord, I'm not good at speaking! I'm slow with words!"

God said gently, "Who made your mouth? Isn't it me? Now go! I will help you speak and teach you what to say!"

Moses said, "Please send someone else!"

This made God a little angry, but He was patient. God said, "Your brother Aaron speaks well. He's already coming to meet you! He will speak for you. Take your staff with you - you will use it to do miraculous signs!"

So Moses went back to Egypt with his family. Moses met his brother Aaron, and together they went to Pharaoh. It was time to set God's people free!

This story teaches us that God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things! When God calls us, we don't have to be perfect or super talented. We just need to say "yes" and trust that God will be with us. God will give us everything we need to do what He asks!