Moses's Calling and Commission: A Shepherd's Encounter

The burning bush revealed God's plan to Moses, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

Moses's Calling and Commission: A Shepherd's Encounter

Exodus 3:1-12

1. Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
5. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8. And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
11. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12. And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

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Night scene: Moses stands alone under a starlit desert sky, looking towards a distant mountain range. He is silhouetted against the light of the stars, appearing both weary and determined. The scene conveys his solitude and the weight of his responsibility. Moses's solitude under the stars represents his burden of responsibility and the divine guidance he receives.

A detailed depiction of a shepherd's crook lying on the ground, weathered by the sun and the wind, with small pebbles and dried grass around it. The crook suggests the life Moses led before his calling. The shepherd's crook highlights Moses's previous life as a shepherd, directly relating to the biblical narrative.

A close-up shot of a burning bush, focusing on the texture of the bark and the flickering flames, with no human presence to emphasize the divine nature of the encounter. The focus on the burning bush emphasizes the divine and miraculous aspect of the calling without human interference.

Macro closeup of a burning bush, smoke billowing, with a single, outstretched hand reaching towards the flames. The hand shows weathered skin, suggesting a shepherd's life. The background hints at the arid desert landscape of the Sinai Peninsula. This macro shot focuses on the key symbol of God's presence, the burning bush, and a human hand reaching towards it, symbolizing Moses's initial response to God's call (<a href=

Exodus 3:1-6 ).' />

Macro closeup of a staff, intricately carved with ancient Egyptian symbols, resting on parched earth. A single drop of dew rests on the top, reflecting the morning sun. Ants crawl around the base of the staff, signifying the small, seemingly insignificant details. The staff, a common pastoral tool, symbolizes Moses's past life as a shepherd and foreshadows his future role as a leader, using the staff as a symbol of his authority (<a href=

Exodus 4:2-4 ).' />

Bright morning sunlight illuminates a desert landscape with a lone shepherd tending his flock. Orange and yellow hues paint the sky. A single, prominent bush in the distance is subtly different in color, hinting at the divine. The scene depicts Moses tending his flock, a key aspect of his life before his calling, and utilizes the morning sunlight to symbolize the new beginning and God’s revelation.

Bright morning sun shines on a rocky outcrop. A single acacia tree stands prominently, its leaves slightly shimmering. A staff lies leaning against the tree, reflecting the light. The acacia tree, often associated with sacred spaces in the Bible, symbolizes the setting of Moses's divine encounter. The staff is a symbol of his future leadership.

Evening scene: The setting sun casts long shadows across the desert. A lone figure, silhouetted against the fiery sunset, kneels before a burning bush, smoke softly curling into the darkening sky. The setting sun emphasizes the momentousness of the encounter and evokes the feeling of solitude during this divine revelation.

Evening scene: The desert is bathed in the soft glow of twilight. A flock of sheep peacefully graze, the shepherd watching from a distance, his silhouette blending with the darkening landscape. Stars start to appear in the clear night sky. The peaceful evening scene symbolizes the quiet contemplation before the weight of leadership, contrasted with the upcoming exodus.

Morning scene: A group of Israelites, dressed in simple clothing, wake up in a dusty encampment. The first rays of sunlight illuminate their weary faces. A sense of hope and anticipation fills the air. The morning scene reflects the hope and anticipation felt by the Israelites at the prospect of freedom.

Morning scene: Moses, depicted as a strong, determined man with a shepherd's crook, addresses a small group of Israelites. The sun is rising, casting light on their hopeful expressions. Moses addressing the Israelites sets the scene of his commission and leadership, signifying the dawn of a new era.

Night scene: A group of Israelites huddled together around a small fire under a starry sky. Their faces are illuminated by the flickering flames, revealing a mixture of fear and hope. They appear exhausted but resolute. The night scene depicts the Israelites' fear and hope amidst the uncertainty of their journey, foreshadowing the trials ahead.

overlayed with the bible verse 1. Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : Moses's Calling and Commission: A Shepherd's Encounter

Macro closeup of a burning bush, smoke billowing, with a single, outstretched hand reaching towards the flames. The hand shows weathered skin, suggesting a shepherd's life. The background hints at the arid desert landscape of the Sinai Peninsula.
Macro closeup of a staff, intricately carved with ancient Egyptian symbols, resting on parched earth. A single drop of dew rests on the top, reflecting the morning sun. Ants crawl around the base of the staff, signifying the small, seemingly insignificant details.
Bright morning sunlight illuminates a desert landscape with a lone shepherd tending his flock. Orange and yellow hues paint the sky. A single, prominent bush in the distance is subtly different in color, hinting at the divine.
Bright morning sun shines on a rocky outcrop. A single acacia tree stands prominently, its leaves slightly shimmering. A staff lies leaning against the tree, reflecting the light.
Evening scene: The setting sun casts long shadows across the desert. A lone figure, silhouetted against the fiery sunset, kneels before a burning bush, smoke softly curling into the darkening sky.
Evening scene: The desert is bathed in the soft glow of twilight. A flock of sheep peacefully graze, the shepherd watching from a distance, his silhouette blending with the darkening landscape. Stars start to appear in the clear night sky.
Morning scene: A group of Israelites, dressed in simple clothing, wake up in a dusty encampment. The first rays of sunlight illuminate their weary faces. A sense of hope and anticipation fills the air.
Morning scene: Moses, depicted as a strong, determined man with a shepherd's crook, addresses a small group of Israelites. The sun is rising, casting light on their hopeful expressions.
Night scene: A group of Israelites huddled together around a small fire under a starry sky. Their faces are illuminated by the flickering flames, revealing a mixture of fear and hope. They appear exhausted but resolute.
Night scene: Moses stands alone under a starlit desert sky, looking towards a distant mountain range. He is silhouetted against the light of the stars, appearing both weary and determined. The scene conveys his solitude and the weight of his responsibility.
A detailed depiction of a shepherd's crook lying on the ground, weathered by the sun and the wind, with small pebbles and dried grass around it. The crook suggests the life Moses led before his calling.
A close-up shot of a burning bush, focusing on the texture of the bark and the flickering flames, with no human presence to emphasize the divine nature of the encounter.

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: The Burning Bush; Moses' Mission

A link to this resource is much appreciated to let others know about this free christian resource. The AB Church in LAusanne-Renens is happy to make the image collection available for free.

Other Galleries for this theme / Bible book

God's Covenant with Israel: Exodus
Instructions for the Tabernacle: A Detailed Depiction
Jethro's Visit and Counsel: Wisdom from a Father-in-Law
Manna and Quail: God's Provision in the Wilderness
Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh: A Confrontation of Power
Moses's Birth and Early Life
Moses's Calling and Commission: A Shepherd's Encounter
The Announcement of the Final Plague: Death's Shadow over Egypt
The Book of the Covenant: God's Law and the Exodus
The Construction of the Tabernacle: A People's Dedication
Crossing of the Red Sea: God's Deliverance
The Enslavement of Israel and the Exodus
The First Nine Plagues of Egypt
The Giving of the Ten Commandments
The Golden Calf and the Renewal of the Covenant
Passover and Exodus: Freedom's Dawn
The Plague of Locusts and the Exodus: A Desolation
The Ratification of the Covenant: Exodus from Egypt
Sanctification of the Firstborn: An Exodus Story
Exodus: The Song of the Sea - Liberation and Praise
The Waters of Marah and Elim: Finding Sweetness and Rest
Water from the Rock and the Battle with Amalek

Related Nature Images With Bible Verses

Visit other nature images in Exodus 3