How did Moses encounter God according to the Bible?

The encounter between Moses and God is one of the most profound and significant events in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. This encounter is detailed in the book of Exodus, specifically in chapters 3 and 4. The story of Moses' encounter with God is not just a historical account but also a theological narrative that speaks to the nature of God, His relationship with His people, and His plans for salvation and liberation.

Moses' encounter with God begins in Exodus 3:1-2, where we find Moses tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Moses leads the flock to the far side of the wilderness and comes to Horeb, the mountain of God. It is here that the angel of the Lord appears to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses notices that the bush is on fire, but it does not burn up. This sight captures his attention, and he decides to investigate further.

As Moses approaches the bush, God calls to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses responds, "Here I am." (Exodus 3:4, NIV). This direct address signifies the personal nature of God's call and His intimate knowledge of Moses. God then instructs Moses to take off his sandals, for the place where he is standing is holy ground. This command underscores the holiness of God and the reverence required in His presence.

God proceeds to introduce Himself to Moses, saying, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:6, NIV). At this, Moses hides his face because he is afraid to look at God. This introduction is significant as it establishes the continuity of God's covenant relationship with the patriarchs and now with Moses. It also reassures Moses of God's faithfulness and His ongoing commitment to His people.

God then reveals His awareness of the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt and His plan to deliver them from their oppression. He says, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey." (Exodus 3:7-8, NIV). This declaration of God's concern and His intention to act is a powerful reminder of His compassion and His commitment to justice.

God then commissions Moses to be the instrument of His deliverance, saying, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:10, NIV). This commission is both an honor and a daunting task for Moses, who expresses his doubts and insecurities. He questions his own adequacy, asking, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11, NIV). God's response is reassuring: "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." (Exodus 3:12, NIV). God's promise of His presence is a crucial element in Moses' mission, emphasizing that it is not by Moses' power but by God's power that the deliverance will be accomplished.

Moses continues to express his concerns, asking what he should say if the Israelites question the name of the God who sent him. God responds with one of the most profound revelations of His identity: "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14, NIV). This name, often rendered as Yahweh, signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature. It is a name that conveys both mystery and majesty, emphasizing that God is beyond human comprehension yet intimately involved in human history.

God further instructs Moses to gather the elders of Israel and convey His message of deliverance. He assures Moses that the elders will listen to him and that Pharaoh will eventually let the Israelites go after God displays His mighty power through miraculous signs. Despite these assurances, Moses remains hesitant, expressing his concern that the Israelites may not believe him or listen to him. In response, God provides Moses with three miraculous signs to authenticate his message: turning his staff into a serpent, making his hand leprous and then restoring it, and turning water from the Nile into blood (Exodus 4:1-9).

Even with these signs, Moses is reluctant, citing his lack of eloquence and speaking ability. He says, "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." (Exodus 4:10, NIV). God's response is both a rebuke and a reassurance: "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:11-12, NIV). This exchange highlights God's sovereignty over human abilities and His provision for those He calls.

Finally, Moses pleads with God to send someone else. God's anger burns against Moses, but He accommodates Moses' request by appointing his brother Aaron to be his spokesperson. God says, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do." (Exodus 4:14-15, NIV). This arrangement underscores the communal nature of God's mission and the importance of partnership in ministry.

Moses' encounter with God is a transformative experience that sets the stage for the Exodus, the defining event of Israel's history. It reveals key aspects of God's character: His holiness, His compassion, His faithfulness, and His power. It also highlights the human side of divine calling, with Moses' fears and inadequacies met by God's patience and provision. This encounter serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans often involve ordinary people with ordinary struggles, and that His presence and power are sufficient to accomplish His purposes.

In conclusion, Moses' encounter with God is a rich and multi-faceted narrative that speaks to both the grandeur of God's redemptive plan and the intimate, personal nature of His call. It is a story that continues to inspire and challenge believers to trust in God's presence, respond to His call, and participate in His mission of liberation and salvation.