Moses and the Burning Bush for Kids

Moses had lived in Midian for forty years. Gray showed in his beard as he led the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, through the red, rocky wilderness. In his hand was his well-used shepherd’s staff. Beyond the stony ravines rose Horeb, the mountain of God.

Near the mountain, Moses saw a thornbush wrapped in bright flames. Yet the bush was not burning up. Its leaves remained inside the fire, with no smoke or blackened branches. Moses left the flock and went closer. He wanted to understand this wonderful sight.

“Moses! Moses!” God called from the bush.

“Here I am,” Moses answered.

God told him not to come closer. “Take your sandals off your feet,” God said, “for the place you are standing on is holy ground.” Moses set his sandals aside. When God said that he was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses hid his face. He was afraid to look at God.

God had seen the suffering of his people in Egypt. He had heard their cries and knew their sorrow. Now God would rescue them from slavery and bring them into a good land. Then God gave Moses an astonishing command: Moses must go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Moses hesitated. “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?”

God promised, “Certainly I will be with you.” When Moses asked what name he should give the Israelites, God answered, “I AM WHO I AM.” The God of their fathers had sent him. God told Moses to gather Israel’s elders and speak his message. Pharaoh would resist, but God would perform mighty wonders and bring his people out.

Moses still worried. What if the people did not believe that God had appeared to him?

“What is that in your hand?” God asked.

“A staff,” Moses answered.

God told him to throw it down. Moses obeyed, and the staff became a serpent! Moses moved away from it. Then God told him to take it by the tail. Moses reached out, and the serpent became a staff in his hand again. God also gave him other signs so the people would know that God had truly sent him.

But Moses had another concern. He said he was slow of speech and not a good speaker. God reminded Moses that he was the one who made the human mouth. God promised to be with Moses’ mouth and teach him what to say.

Still, Moses begged God to send someone else. God told him that his brother Aaron could speak well. Aaron was already coming toward the mountain to meet him. Moses would tell Aaron God’s words, and Aaron would speak to the people. God would help them both.

So Moses would not go alone. God would be with him. Aaron would stand beside him. And the shepherd’s staff already in Moses’ hand would become a sign of God’s mighty power.