Exodus 3:1-12

To show us through the experience of Moses in his encounter at the bush the importance of obedience.

Robert Kupferschmid was an 81-year-old with no flying experience. However, due to a tragic emergency, he was forced to fly an airplane. On June 17, 1998, he and his 52-year-old friend, Wesley Sickle, were flying from Indianapolis to Muncie, Indiana. During the flight, the pilot slumped over and died at the controls. The Cessna 172 single-engine plane began to nosedive and Kupferschmid grabbed the controls. He got on the radio and pleaded for help.

Nearby were two pilots who heard the call. Mount Comfort as the closest airport, and the two pilots gave Kupferschmid a steady stream of instructions of climbing, steering, and – the scariest part – landing. The two experienced pilots circled the runway three times before this somewhat frantic and totally inexperienced pilot was ready to attempt the landing.

Emergency vehicles were called out and ready for what seemed like an approaching disaster. Witnesses said the plane’s nose nudged the center line and bounced a few times before the tail hit the ground. The Cessna ended up in a patch of soggy grass next to the runway. Amazingly, Kupferschmid was not injured.

This pilot listened and followed those instructions as if his life depended on it – and it did. Imagine what would take place in the lives of Christians who listened and obeyed like their lives depended on it.

Moses was a man who listened intently to a message delivered to him. Moses was born in Egypt to two Hebrew Levites. He was taken in by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised by his mother. Moses grew up in a pagan culture. When Moses kills an Egyptian, he flees to Midian.

Moses had a special confrontation with God while in Midian. Looking at that experience will help us to see the importance of obedience to God.

• Moses heeds God
  • The burning bush was God’s method of getting his attention
    • God uses various means to get our attention
  • Here Moses encounters God in a new way
    • In respect – take off your shoes (Exodus 3:5)
    • In submission – “Here I am” (Exodus 3:4)
• Moses hears God
  • The call (Exodus 3:10)
  • The response
    • Who am I? (Exodus 3:11)
    • Reluctance
    • Persuasion
  • The assurance (Exodus 3:12)
    • I will be with you
    • I am the God of your Fathers
      • What if they don’t believe me?
        • This is what I can do
          • The rod (Exodus 4:3-4)
          • Leprosy (Exodus 4:6)
          • God’s rebuke (Exodus 4:10-17)
• Moses harkens to God
  • He goes to Egypt
  • A nation of people is freed

The Bible says to obey is better than sacrifice. I Samuel 15:22

Having looked at Moses’ experience, we can see how important obedience is. Obedience brings peace of mind, joy in purpose, and blessings to others.