Exodus 3 shows an account of the Angel of the Lord appearing to Moses in flames within a bush that burns without being consumed. > [!bible]+ [Exodus 3:2 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/2/3/) > 2. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. In the next verse, the Angel of the Lord is now synonymous with being "Elohiym" (God), as it is God who calls out from the bush. > [!bible]+ [Exodus 3:4 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/2/3/) > 4. When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” It cannot be that this is some other "Elohiym" or merely just the Angel of the Lord talking to Moses, as verses 5-6 show us that it is the God (Elohiym) of Abraham speaking on holy ground. It also cannot be that this angel is just speaking for God, as Moses was afraid to look upon God. > [!bible]+ [Exodus 3:3-6 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/2/3/) > 3. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4. When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5. Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6. And he said, “I am the God of your 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 at God. The Angel of the Lord's appearance to Moses within the unconsumed, burning bush heralds a direct divine intervention in Exodus 3. The narrative begins with the angel manifesting in flames, yet immediately transitions to God's voice emanating from the same bush, addressing Moses directly. This seamless shift from the Angel of the Lord to God speaking indicates their unified divine presence. The sacredness of the encounter is emphasized by the instruction for Moses to remove his sandals due to the holiness of the ground, a holiness derived only from the immediate presence of God. The dialogue further confirms this unity; the voice from the bush identifies itself as the God of Moses' ancestors, instilling awe and reverence in Moses, who responds by hiding his face. This experience illustrates that the Angel of the Lord in the burning bush is not merely a messenger but manifests the presence and voice of God Himself. #TheAngelOfTheLORD