The call of Moses (Exodus 3–4)
The bush burns and is not consumed. God names Himself I AM and sends a reluctant shepherd. Moses offers five excuses — Who am I? Who are You? They will not…
Lesson 3 · Course 50
Exodus and the wilderness
The call of Moses, the offerings of Leviticus, and Moses’ death on Nebo.
At a glance
Summary
The call of Moses, the offerings of Leviticus, and Moses’ death on Nebo. Exodus 3–4 is a pastor’s mirror: Moses offers five excuses, and God answers with His name, His presence, and His patience — not with a pep talk.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- Exodus 3–4 is a pastor’s mirror: Moses offers five excuses, and God answers with His name, His presence, and His patience — not with a pep talk.
- The five Levitical offerings (burnt, meal, peace, sin, trespass) are not museum pieces. They still preach Christ: whole devotion, daily life, fellowship, guilt, and the wrong we have done to others.
- The wilderness is where redeemed people learn to live. Manna, water, and a lingering God train a complaining church.
- Moses dies on Nebo for Meribah — he struck the rock. Leaders are not above the Word they preach. The promise still stands; the servant still answers to God.
- The call of Moses (Exodus 3–4): The bush burns and is not consumed. God names Himself I AM and sends a reluctant shepherd. Moses offers five excuses — Who am I? Who are You? They…
- The sacrifices and offerings in Leviticus: Leviticus is the worship book of a redeemed people: burnt (whole devotion), grain/meal (daily life offered), peace (fellowship), sin (guilt), and…
- Moses’ untimely death — reason and details: At Meribah, Moses struck the rock and spoke as if the miracle were his, misrepresenting the Lord before the people. He sees the land from Nebo and…
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
The sacrifices and offerings in Leviticus
Leviticus is the worship book of a redeemed people: burnt (whole devotion), grain/meal (daily life offered), peace (fellowship), sin (guilt), and trespass (the…
Moses’ untimely death — reason and details
At Meribah, Moses struck the rock and spoke as if the miracle were his, misrepresenting the Lord before the people. He sees the land from Nebo and dies there…
Leaders
Leaders is not above the Word they preach
Redemption
Passover is eaten in traveling clothes — redemption is a departure, not a picnic.
Atonement
Use the five offerings to teach worship, fellowship, and atonement — without flattening every detail into an allegory.
Structure
Outline / timeline
- The call of Moses (Exodus 3–4)
- The sacrifices and offerings in Leviticus
- Moses’ untimely death — reason and details
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz score | 100% (1 attempt) |
|---|---|
| Key claim | Exodus 3–4 is a pastor’s mirror: Moses offers five excuses, and God answers with His name, His presence, and His patience — not with a pep… |
| Preach | The five Levitical offerings (burnt, meal, peace, sin, trespass) are not museum pieces. They still preach Christ: whole devotion, daily… |
| Key claim | The wilderness is where redeemed people learn to live. Manna, water, and a lingering God train a complaining church. |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Clarify
- Exodus 3–4 is a pastor’s mirror: Moses offers five excuses, and God answers with His name, His presence, and His…
- Not: with a pep talk.
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- They still preach Christ: whole devotion, daily life, fellowship, guilt, and the wrong we have done to others.
- Leaders are not above the Word they preach.
- They still preach Christ.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 1 attempt
1. The Hyksos ruled in Egypt from 1720-1570 BC.
TrueThe Hyksos window (1720–1570 BC) is the historical backdrop this course uses for Egypt before the Exodus story.
2. The early proposed date for the Exodus is 1280-1220 BC.
False1280–1220 BC is the late date. The early date sits earlier, around 1446 BC.
3. Moses came from the tribe of Judah.
FalseMoses is a Levite, not a son of Judah.
4. Moses' 40 years in the wilderness was an utter waste of time.
FalseThose forty years were a school, not a waste. God was preparing the deliverer.
5. The ten plagues of Exodus 7-11 were all power encounters with the false gods of Egypt.
TrueEach plague is a public contest: the Lord against Egypt’s gods.
6. When the Israelites ate the first Passover meal, they were already dressed for their journey.
TruePassover is eaten in traveling clothes — redemption is a departure, not a picnic.
7. The Israelites spent 60 years in the wilderness.
FalseForty years, not sixty. Do not round the wilderness into a different number.
8. The first of the Ten Commandments was specifically designed to forbid idolatry.
FalseThe first commandment forbids other gods. Idolatry — carved images — is the second.
9. The book of Leviticus emphasized sacrifices, priests, and feasts.
TrueLeviticus is the worship book: offerings, priests, and the feast calendar of a redeemed people.
10. The book of Deuteronomy's theme is Unbelief.
FalseUnbelief is not Deuteronomy’s banner. Moses’ last book is a charge to remember, love, and obey the Lord.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
The call of Moses (Exodus 3–4)
The bush burns and is not consumed. God names Himself I AM and sends a reluctant shepherd. Moses offers five excuses — Who am I? Who are You? They will not believe. I am slow of speech. Send someone else — and God answers with His presence, His name, signs, Aaron, and patience. Reluctance is not disqualifying if it ends in obedience. The bush still burns for servants who feel too slow of speech.
The sacrifices and offerings in Leviticus
Leviticus is the worship book of a redeemed people: burnt (whole devotion), grain/meal (daily life offered), peace (fellowship), sin (guilt), and trespass (the wrong done to others). Priests and feasts keep the calendar holy. Use the five offerings to teach worship, fellowship, and atonement — without flattening every detail into an allegory. They still preach Christ.
Moses’ untimely death — reason and details
At Meribah, Moses struck the rock and spoke as if the miracle were his, misrepresenting the Lord before the people. He sees the land from Nebo and dies there; the Lord buries him (Deuteronomy 32; 34). Untimely, because one act of unbelief kept the servant from the promise he had carried. The people still enter; the leader still answers to God. Authority in ministry is a trust, not a trophy.