The Call of Moses – JSS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

The call of Moses is the event in Exodus 3 when God spoke to Moses from a burning bush in Midian and chose him to deliver the Israelites from hard labour in Egypt.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Narrate the story of the call of Moses.
2. Explain why God decided to send Moses to the Israelites.
3. State what happened at the burning bush.
4. State the excuses Moses gave and how God answered them.
5. State the lessons from Moses’ response to God’s call.

Who was Moses?

Moses was the Hebrew leader whom God chose to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

• Race: he was an Israelite (Hebrew) by birth.
• Upbringing: he grew up in the royal household of Egypt.
• Escape: he fled from Egypt to the land of Midian.
• Work in Midian: he became a shepherd for his father-in-law.

Why did God send Moses to the Israelites?

God sent Moses because the Israelites were suffering as slaves in Egypt and God had seen their pain.

• Cruel ruler: a new king (Pharaoh) who did not know Joseph came to power in Egypt.
• Hard labour: the Israelites were made to carry bricks and do heavy work.
• Their cry: the Israelites cried to God because of their suffering.
• God’s care: God saw their plight and decided to rescue them through Moses.
• God’s promise: the rescue fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham.

What happened at the burning bush?

At the burning bush, God called Moses by name and told him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Moses in Midian

• Arrival: after Moses escaped from Egypt, he went to Midian.
• Marriage: he married a daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian.
• Jethro: he became Moses’ father-in-law.
• Work: Moses helped Jethro to look after his flocks.

The sequence of events

1. Moses was taking care of Jethro’s flock near Horeb, the mountain of God.
2. He saw a bush that was burning but was not consumed.
3. He went closer to see the strange sight.
4. An angel of God appeared to him in the flame of the bush.
5. God called, “Moses, Moses.” Moses answered, “Here am I.”
6. God said, “Do not come near. Put off your shoes from your feet, for the ground on which you are standing is holy ground.”
7. God told Moses how he would deliver the Israelites from Egypt.
8. Moses gave excuses, but God insisted that Moses was the chosen one and promised to be with him.

Why did Moses remove his shoes?

• Holy ground: God’s presence made the place sacred.
• Respect: removing the shoes showed reverence for God.

What excuses did Moses give to God?

Moses gave several excuses, and God answered each one.

What are the lessons from Moses’ response to God’s call?

The lessons show that God can use any person and that God cares about people who suffer.

1. God uses anyone: God can decide to use anyone for his service regardless of their weaknesses.
2. No need for perfection: God does not need a perfect man to serve him. He calls the imperfect and perfects them as they serve.
3. God keeps promises: the deliverance of the Israelites fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham.
4. God cares: the attention God gave to the Israelites’ affliction shows that he is not insensitive to our pains and suffering.
5. God stays with his servants: God promised to be with Moses.
6. Respect for God: we should show reverence when we come before God.

Key words

• Call: God’s choice of a person for a special task.
• Deliver: to rescue someone from danger or bondage.
• Pharaoh: the title of the king of Egypt.
• Midian: the land where Moses lived after he fled Egypt.
• Stammerer: a person who speaks with difficulty and hesitation.

Evaluation

1. Why did God decide to send Moses to the Israelites?
2. Who was Jethro, and how was he related to Moses?
3. What did God tell Moses to do before he came near the burning bush, and why?
4. What excuse did Moses give to God?
5. State two lessons from Moses’ response to God’s call.

Assignment

1. Narrate the story of the call of Moses.