Exodus 3:1 - 4:31
Moses was tending his father-in-law's flock way out in the desert. He came across a bush, which was aflame but not burning up. Moses said, "Huh," and went to check it out.
God called to him from the bush, saying "Hey, this is a holy place - get your shoes off! I'm the god of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I know about my people's problems, and I'm here to help them, and take them up to Canaan, which is a good place. I'm sending you to Pharaoh."
Moses said, "Who, me?" God replied, "Yes..." Moses complained, "I should maybe know your name to tell the Israelites?" God said, "Say 'I AM' sent me. I'll always be 'the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Now, go to the elders about this whole land-of-Canaan plan, then y'all can tell Pharaoh you need to go out in the desert to make sacrifices. He won't let you, I'll give 'em a show, and then you'll all be able to go, with spoils from the Egyptians."
Moses said, "But they won't believe a word of this.." God said, "Fine. Here's some signs you can do: Turn your staff to a snake and back. Give yourself leprosy and cure it. Turn river-water to blood."
Moses whined, "I'm a horrible speaker!" God said, "I made your tongue; I'll see to it that it serves me well." But Moses still didn't want to do it, so God - annoyed - said, "Fine - your brother Aaron's oratorical. I'll tell you what needs saying, you tell him, and he can do the public speaking."
Moses got permission from his father-in-law to go back to Egypt with his family. God gave him instructions on the way, but Zipporah had to circumcise their son. God sent Aaron out to meet them on the way, and Moses filled him in. They convinced the elders with the signs God gave Moses, and the Israelites worshipped.
God called to him from the bush, saying "Hey, this is a holy place - get your shoes off! I'm the god of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I know about my people's problems, and I'm here to help them, and take them up to Canaan, which is a good place. I'm sending you to Pharaoh."
Moses said, "Who, me?" God replied, "Yes..." Moses complained, "I should maybe know your name to tell the Israelites?" God said, "Say 'I AM' sent me. I'll always be 'the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Now, go to the elders about this whole land-of-Canaan plan, then y'all can tell Pharaoh you need to go out in the desert to make sacrifices. He won't let you, I'll give 'em a show, and then you'll all be able to go, with spoils from the Egyptians."
Moses said, "But they won't believe a word of this.." God said, "Fine. Here's some signs you can do: Turn your staff to a snake and back. Give yourself leprosy and cure it. Turn river-water to blood."
Moses whined, "I'm a horrible speaker!" God said, "I made your tongue; I'll see to it that it serves me well." But Moses still didn't want to do it, so God - annoyed - said, "Fine - your brother Aaron's oratorical. I'll tell you what needs saying, you tell him, and he can do the public speaking."
Moses got permission from his father-in-law to go back to Egypt with his family. God gave him instructions on the way, but Zipporah had to circumcise their son. God sent Aaron out to meet them on the way, and Moses filled him in. They convinced the elders with the signs God gave Moses, and the Israelites worshipped.