There Moses was, tending the flock of his father-in-law at Horeb, the mountain of God (Exodus 3:1). Little did he know what he would witness on that special day! He saw that a bush “was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed” (3:2). Then a plan was revealed to Moses, a plan which called for him to return to Egypt and bring the children of Israel out from the oppression which they suffered (3:10).
Just who was it that spoke to Moses from that burning bush? Have you ever paid close attention to what the Bible text records? Here are the facts:
- “The Angel of the LORD appeared to him” (3:2).
- “God called to him from . . . the bush” (3:4).
- The Speaker called Himself “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (3:6).
- The One Who spoke to Moses from the bush also is called “the LORD” (“Jehovah,” ASV) (3:7; all underlining above mine, rdc).
So, how many different beings spoke to Moses from that famous bush? One? Two? Three? Four? Our conclusion is that one divine Being spoke to Moses on this occasion: “the Angel of the LORD” is the same as “God,” “Jehovah,” and “the LORD.” They are simply different identifiers of the one, eternal God of heaven.
Is it possible that in this instance the unique Being who appeared to, spoke with, and called Moses was none other than “the Word” (John 1:1), the Pre-incarnate Christ? That suggestion fits the facts, and it certainly does not contradict other revealed truths. Let us continue to study, meditate, and reason.
— Roger D. Campbell