Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 3:3

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

3. Moses would fain approach nearer, and learn the reason of the marvel, why the bush was not consumed.

Moses, Moses ] The duplication, as Gen 22:11; Gen 46:2 (both E).

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

And Moses said, I will now turn aside,…. From the place where he was, and the flock he was feeding, and get nearer to the bush, which seems to have been on one side of him and not directly before him:

and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt; inquire into, and find out, if he could, the reason of this strange and amazing sight; how it could be that a bush should be on fire and yet not burnt up, which might have been expected would have been destroyed at once; for what is a thorn or bramble bush to devouring flames of fire, as these appeared to be?

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

3. And Moses said, I will now turn aside. It is certain that his mind was disposed to reverence from no rashness, but by divine inspiration. Although not yet accustomed to visions, he still perceives that, this is no unmeaning spectacle, but that some mystery was contained in it, which he must by no means neglect, and to the knowledge of which he was divinely called. In this, too, we must observe his tractableness, in turning aside to learn. For it often happens that God presents himself to us in vain, because we presumptuously reject such great mercy. Let us learn, then, by the example of Moses, as often as God invites us to himself by any sign, to give diligent heed, lest the proffered light be quenched by our own apathy. But from his calling it a “great sight,” we gather that he was taught by secret inspiration the depth of the mystery, though it was as yet unknown. In this way God prepared his mind to reverence, (38) that he might the sooner profit by it.

(38) A humilite. — Fr.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

(3) I will now turn aside.A minute touch, in dicating that Moses is the writer. He remembers that the bush did not grow on the track which he was pursuing, but lay off it, and that he had to turn aside, in order to make his inspection.

This great sight.The phenomenon was strange and unusualworthy of note, whatever might be the cause.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

Psa 111:2 ; Deu 29:29 ; Act 7:31 . How sweetly Moses’ intention corresponds with the case of God’s people at their first call. Doth not everyone desire to turn aside and see this great sight, how it is that Jesus hath manifested himself to us, and not unto the world. Joh 14:22 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

“Handfuls of Purpose”

For All Gleaners

“And see… why” Exo 3:3 .

What serious man is always inclined to do.

What curious man is too prone to do.

What flippant man finds it impossible to do.

The spirit of the inquirer determines the result of the inquiry. Surprises on the journey of life should awaken religious interest. To the attentive eye the so-called continuity of law or sequence is continually interrupted. Phenomena, so called, are as perplexing as the essence of matter itself. There is an unknowable point in phenomena as well as in essences. From the right heart nothing will be withheld that is good for it. There are incidents in our life which appear to be greater than ourselves, or to challenge in us faculties which are either not present, or have not yet been awakened. Men should not run away from great sights. Nothing is to be gained by cowardice. Always distinguish between flippant rashness and daring reverence.

Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker

Exo 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

Ver. 3. I will now turn aside, and see. ] Moses came out of curiosity, but was called by God: so do many to the ordinances for novelty, as the Jews did to John Baptist; or for some other minister respect; to catch, it may be, and are caught, as those in Joh 7:46 . Or as Austin, who coming to Ambrose to have his ears tickled, had his heart touched. It is good to hear, howsoever. Come, said Latimer, to the public meetings, though thou comest to sleep; it may be, God may take thee napping. Absence is without hope. What a deal lost Thomas by being but once absent!

This great vision. ] Great indeed. There was a flame of fire, else how was the bush burning? There was light, else how did Moses see it? There was no heat, else how was not the bush consumed? Yet in every of God’s afflicted, saith one, you may see this great vision. The voice of the Lord in his affliction, as in this fire, divideth the heat from the light, so that he is not consumed by the heat – nay, rather his infirmities and carnal concupiscences are consumed thereby – but only illuminated by the light. See Trapp on “ Exo 2:15 “

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Job 37:14, Psa 107:8, Psa 111:2-4, Act 7:31

Reciprocal: Gen 15:17 – smoking Gen 46:2 – Jacob Exo 19:21 – break Dan 10:8 – I was Luk 2:15 – Let

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exo 3:3-4. I will turn aside and see He speaks as one inquisitive and bold in his inquiry: whatever it was, he would, if possible, know the meaning of it. God called to him, and said, Moses, Moses Probably there had been no appearance of God to any one since Jacobs descent into Egypt, above two hundred years before: and Moses, being addressed thus by name, must have been much more surprised by what he heard than by what he saw. Divine calls are then effectual when the Spirit of God makes them particular, and calls us as by name. He said, Here am I Not only to hear what is spoken, but to do what is commanded.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments