God spoke to Moses through the burning bush to grab his attention in a dramatic and unmistakable way, to show His holiness and transcendence, and to commission Moses for a divine purpose. The fire revealed God’s presence without consuming the bush, symbolizing His power to act without destroying His creation.
To gain Moses’s attention: Moses was tending sheep when he saw a bush that burned but was not consumed, a miracle meant to make him stop and listen.
“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush… Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight…’”
(Exodus 3:2–3)
To reveal divine holiness: God wanted Moses to approach. He told him to remove his sandals because he stood on holy ground.
“Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
(Exodus 3:5)
To initiate Moses’s commission: From the bush, God revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and called Moses to rescue Israel.
“I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
(Exodus 3:6)
Had God spoken normally, Moses might have ignored or misunderstood. The supernatural burning bush was needed to awaken him, reveal worship-worthy holiness, and prepare him to lead a nation out of bondage.