Lesson 2: The Burning Bush

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Chief

Chief

Chief of Sinners.
Lesson 2: The Burning Bush

Memory Text:
“And the Lord said: ‘I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey’ ” (Exodus 3:7, 8, NKJV).

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Exodus 3:7-8 – God hears the oppressed and acts to deliver them to a promised land.
Core Theme: God’s calling and empowerment in the face of human inadequacy, using Moses’ burning bush encounter as a paradigm.

Key Insights by Day:​

Sunday: The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1–6)​

  • Moses’ 40-year wilderness preparation mirrors Christ’s 40-day fast. The burning bush (a theophany) symbolizes God’s holy presence—consuming yet non-destructive. Removing sandals signifies humility before the Divine.
  • Personal application: God uses seasons of obscurity to prepare us for purpose (e.g., Moses writing Genesis/Job during exile).

Monday: The Angel of the Lord (Exodus 3:7–12)​

  • The "Angel of the Lord" (identified as God Himself in vv. 6–7) commissions Moses to liberate Israel. Moses’ humility ("Who am I?") becomes a vessel for God’s power, not an excuse for refusal.
  • Challenge: How do we weaponize humility to avoid God’s call? (Exodus 3:11).

Tuesday: The Name of the Lord (Exodus 3:13–22)​

  • God reveals His name YHWH ("I AM") - eternal, covenant-keeping, and active in history. This name:
    • Connects Moses to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob).
    • Guarantees Israel’s deliverance (v. 17).
  • Promise: Calling on "I AM" brings salvation (Joel 2:32).

Wednesday: Four Excuses (Exodus 4:1–17)​

Moses’ objections and God’s responses:
Excuse God’s Answer
"They won’t believe me"Three signs: staff→snake, leprous hand, water→blood
"I’m not eloquent""I will teach you what to say" (v. 12)
"Send someone else"Aaron appointed as spokesman (v. 14)
  • Principle: God equips, never abandons the called.

Thursday: The Circumcision (Exodus 4:18–31)​

  • Moses’ neglect to circumcise his son (Exodus 4:24–26) nearly costs his life, underscoring:
    • Covenant obedience is non-negotiable.
    • Sin hinders God’s mission (Zipporah’s intervention saves Moses).
  • Warning: Small compromises carry grave consequences.

Final Thoughts (Friday):​

  • Divine Partnership: God meets Moses’ fears with patience and power - transforming an exiled murderer into Israel’s deliverer.
  • Personal Cost: Moses’ past with Pharaoh Thutmose III (his rival) made Egypt daunting, yet God used even his trauma for redemption.
  • Call to Surrender: Like Moses, we are clay in the Potter’s hands (Jeremiah 18:1–4). Our adequacy comes from "I AM", not self.
"Have Thine own way, Lord! Mold us through discomfort, and use our yieldedness to fulfill Your promise: 'I will be with you' (Exodus 3:12)."
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Question: Does the SDA teach us explicitly how surrender is the removal of self, whatever these terms mean?
If so, how? What is the process? I am so longing wanting to know?

Shalom
 
rob said:
Question: Does the SDA teach us explicitly how surrender is the removal of self, whatever these terms mean?
If so, how? What is the process? I am so longing wanting to know?

Shalom
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I find Chapter 5 of the book, Steps to Christ 👇 helpful in expounding this topic.
Chief said:

Chapter 5—Consecration​


In this chapter, the author discusses the need for individuals to yield their whole heart to God in order to be transformed and restored to His likeness. She emphasizes that the greatest battle is against self and that surrendering to God requires a struggle. She also highlights that God appeals to the intellect and conscience, and does not force His will upon His creatures. Giving oneself to God requires giving up anything that separates an individual from Him, and true love for Christ should be the spring of action. The author also addresses the misconception that God is pleased with the suffering of His children, and emphasizes that He desires their happiness and offers something better than what they seek for themselves. Surrendering to God requires understanding the true force of the will, and through the right exercise of the will, individuals can choose to serve God and be transformed by Him.
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