Acts 7:30

KJV

¶ And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when forty {G5062} years {G2094} were expired {G4137}, there appeared {G3700} to him {G846} in {G1722} the wilderness {G2048} of mount {G3735} Sina {G4614} an angel {G32} of the Lord {G2962} in {G1722} a flame {G5395} of fire {G4442} in a bush {G942}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“After forty more years, an angel appeared to him in the desert near Mount Sinai in the flames of a burning thorn bush.

Berean Standard Bible

After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.

American Standard Version

And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 7:30 recounts a pivotal moment in the life of Moses, marking the divine initiation of his prophetic and leadership ministry. After forty years spent in the wilderness, tending sheep and living in obscurity, Moses encounters the "angel of the Lord" in a burning bush on Mount Sinai. This dramatic theophany serves as God's direct call, commissioning Moses to return to Egypt and deliver the Israelite people from slavery, thereby setting in motion the central narrative of the Exodus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:30 is embedded within Stephen's lengthy and impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin, a speech that traces the history of Israel from Abraham to Solomon. Stephen's primary aim is to demonstrate that God's presence and work are not confined to the Temple or the land of Israel, and that the Jewish leadership has historically resisted the Holy Spirit, just as they are now resisting Jesus. This verse specifically falls within Stephen's detailed recounting of Moses' life, highlighting God's sovereign hand in preparing Moses for leadership. Stephen emphasizes Moses' initial attempt to deliver his people at age forty ([Acts 7:23](/acts/7-23 "Acts 7:23 - Moses' First Attempt to Deliver Israel")), his subsequent flight into Midian, and this renewed, divinely sanctioned call after another forty years of exile, underscoring God's perfect timing and method.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the period following Moses' flight from Egypt after killing an Egyptian. He spent forty years in the wilderness of Midian, a region to the east of the Sinai Peninsula, where he married Zipporah and became a shepherd for his father-in-law, Jethro. This period of solitude and pastoral life was a stark contrast to his upbringing in Pharaoh's court. Culturally, the wilderness was often seen as a place of divine encounter and purification, a setting where one was stripped of worldly distractions and brought face-to-face with God. Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb) was revered as a holy mountain, later becoming the site where the Law was given. The appearance of an angel in a flame of fire was a powerful, recognizable form of divine manifestation (a theophany) in ancient Near Eastern thought, signifying holiness, power, and often judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Calling and Preparation**, showing that God's servants are often prepared through long periods of obscurity and hardship before being launched into public ministry. The **Sovereignty of God** is evident in His initiation of the encounter, demonstrating that He chooses and equips individuals according to His perfect will and timing, regardless of their past failures or current circumstances. Furthermore, the **Theophany and Divine Presence** are central, as the burning bush signifies God's holy, unapproachable yet revealing presence, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament and finds its ultimate expression in Christ. Stephen uses this account to subtly challenge the Sanhedrin's rigid understanding of God's presence, implying that God is not limited to their Temple but manifests Himself wherever and however He chooses, even in a humble bush in the wilderness, just as He did in Jesus, whom they rejected. This prepares the ground for Stephen's later argument that God does not dwell in temples made with hands ([Acts 7:48](/acts/7-48 "Acts 7:48 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made With Hands")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **expired (Greek, _plēróō'_):** This word means "to make replete, to cram, to level up, or to furnish." In the context of time, as used here, it signifies "to finish a period or task," "to accomplish," or "to be complete." The phrase "when forty years were expired" emphasizes that this was not a random event, but a divinely appointed moment, the completion of a specific period of preparation that God had ordained for Moses' life and ministry.
* **appeared (Greek, _optánomai'_):** This verb denotes "to gaze with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable." It implies a vision that is striking, attention-grabbing, and often supernatural, distinguishing it from mere casual observation. The use of this word highlights the dramatic and awe-inspiring nature of Moses' encounter with the divine, underscoring that it was a clear, unmistakable manifestation of God's presence, intended to capture Moses' full attention and convey profound significance.
* **angel (Greek, _ángelos'_):** Meaning "a messenger," this term refers to a divine emissary. When combined with "of the Lord" (Greek, _Kyriou_), the phrase "angel of the Lord" (often capitalized in English translations) frequently designates a special, pre-incarnate manifestation of God Himself, or a divine representative so closely identified with God that He speaks and acts with divine authority. In the context of the burning bush, where the "angel of the Lord" speaks and identifies Himself as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" ([Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - God's Self-Revelation at the Bush")), it is widely understood as a theophany, a direct appearance of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when forty years were expired":** This clause establishes the timeframe, highlighting the significant period of preparation Moses underwent in the wilderness. It marks the end of a long season of obscurity and the beginning of God's appointed time for his public ministry, emphasizing God's sovereign timing and the importance of patient endurance in divine preparation.
* **"there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina":** This sets the scene for the divine encounter. The "wilderness" signifies a desolate, isolated place, often associated with spiritual testing and divine revelation. "Mount Sina" (Sinai) is identified as the specific location, a sacred mountain that would later become the site of the giving of the Law, underscoring the holiness and significance of this divine manifestation. The appearance was direct and personal to Moses.
* **"an angel of the Lord":** This phrase identifies the agent of the divine appearance. As discussed in the key word analysis, "the angel of the Lord" in Old Testament contexts often refers to a Christophany or a direct manifestation of God Himself, acting as His personal representative. This indicates that Moses was encountering God directly, not merely a created angelic being.
* **"in a flame of fire in a bush":** This describes the specific form of the theophany. The "flame of fire" symbolizes God's holy, consuming, and purifying presence, while the fact that the "bush" was not consumed underscores the miraculous and supernatural nature of the event, signifying God's power to be present without destroying that which He indwells or uses for His purposes. The humble "bush" contrasts with the immense power of the divine fire, highlighting God's ability to reveal Himself in unexpected and ordinary places.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 7:30 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. Central to the verse is **Theophany**, the manifestation of God to humankind, which is vividly depicted through the "angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush." This direct divine appearance underscores God's active involvement in human history and His initiative in calling His servants. **Symbolism** is also prominent: the "flame of fire" represents God's holiness, purity, and consuming power, while the "bush" that burns without being consumed symbolizes God's miraculous presence and His ability to sustain and empower His chosen instruments without destroying them. The choice of a humble "bush" also carries symbolic weight, suggesting that God often chooses the ordinary and overlooked to manifest His extraordinary power. Furthermore, the mention of "forty years" before the divine appearance creates a sense of **Anticipation** and highlights the theme of **Divine Timing**, emphasizing that God's plans unfold according to His perfect schedule, often after extended periods of preparation or waiting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:30 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign initiative in calling and equipping His servants, emphasizing that divine commissioning is often preceded by extended periods of preparation and obscurity. It underscores the biblical truth that God's timing is perfect and that He often chooses to manifest His presence in unexpected ways and places, not confined to human-made structures or expectations. The nature of the "angel of the Lord" as a direct divine manifestation, often understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, further highlights the personal and powerful nature of God's interaction with humanity, setting the stage for His ultimate self-revelation in Jesus. This encounter at the burning bush is a foundational event in redemptive history, marking the beginning of Israel's deliverance and the establishment of God's covenant with His people through Moses.

* [Exodus 3:2-6](/exodus/3-2-6 "Exodus 3:2-6 - The Burning Bush Account")
* [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Isaiah 40:31 - Waiting on the Lord")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Revelation Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 7:30 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's call on our lives often unfolds according to His perfect, sometimes seemingly delayed, timing. Just as Moses spent forty years in obscurity before his divine commissioning, we are encouraged to embrace seasons of waiting, preparation, and even perceived insignificance as integral parts of God's refining process for His purposes. This verse challenges us to recognize God's presence not only in grand, miraculous displays but also in the ordinary and humble circumstances of our lives, much like the burning bush in the wilderness. It calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and readiness, understanding that God often chooses the unlikely to accomplish His extraordinary will. Our past failures or perceived inadequacies do not disqualify us; rather, God's sovereign grace actively pursues and equips us for His service, urging us to respond with faith and obedience when His call becomes clear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do periods of waiting or obscurity in your life relate to God's preparation for future service?**
* **In what "wilderness" or unexpected places have you experienced or sensed God's presence and calling?**
* **What does Moses' initial reluctance and subsequent obedience teach you about responding to God's call?**
* **How does the idea of God's perfect timing encourage or challenge you in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Who was the "angel of the Lord" that appeared to Moses?**

Answer: In many Old Testament contexts, including the burning bush narrative from which Stephen quotes, the "angel of the Lord" (Hebrew: *Malakh Yahweh*) is understood by many scholars not merely as a created angelic being, but as a pre-incarnate appearance of God Himself, specifically the Son of God. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the "angel" speaks with divine authority, accepts worship, and identifies Himself as Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ([Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - God's Identity Revealed")). This powerful manifestation is a **theophany** or **Christophany**, a direct revelation of God's presence.

**Why did Moses have to wait "forty years" in the wilderness before this divine encounter?**

Answer: The "forty years" in the wilderness served as a crucial period of divine preparation and humbling for Moses. After his initial attempt to deliver Israel at age forty, which ended in failure and flight ([Acts 7:23-29](/acts/7-23-29 "Acts 7:23-29 - Moses' First Attempt and Flight")), Moses needed to be stripped of his Egyptian princely identity and self-reliance. The wilderness experience taught him patience, humility, dependence on God, and the skills of a shepherd, which would be vital for leading the Israelites through the wilderness for the next forty years. It demonstrates God's perfect timing and His method of preparing His chosen instruments through seasons of obscurity and character formation.

**What is the significance of the "flame of fire in a bush"?**

Answer: The "flame of fire in a bush" is a powerful symbolic manifestation of God's presence. "Fire" in the Bible often symbolizes God's holiness, purity, consuming power, and judgment ([Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - God is a Consuming Fire")). The miraculous aspect of the "bush" burning without being consumed signifies God's ability to dwell among His people and use ordinary instruments without destroying them, and His power to sustain life even in the midst of His consuming holiness. It also highlights the sacredness of the ground where God manifests Himself, prompting Moses to remove his sandals ([Exodus 3:5](/exodus/3-5 "Exodus 3:5 - Holy Ground")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 7:30, detailing Moses' encounter with the "angel of the Lord" in the burning bush, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The "angel of the Lord" is widely understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who has always been the primary agent of God's revelation to humanity. Thus, the very voice that called Moses from the bush was the voice of the eternal Word, who would later become flesh and dwell among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Moses himself, called as a deliverer and prophet, serves as a significant type of Christ; just as Moses delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage, Jesus delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and death ([Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1-6 "Hebrews 3:1-6 - Christ Greater Than Moses")). The miraculous preservation of the bush, burning yet unconsumed, foreshadows Christ's divine nature and His ability to endure the consuming fire of God's wrath on the cross without being overcome, thereby securing salvation for His people. Ultimately, the burning bush encounter, a moment of divine commissioning, points forward to Jesus, the one whom God sent in the fullness of time ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son")), not merely to deliver a nation, but to redeem all who believe, becoming the ultimate revelation of God's presence and power for all eternity ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 3:1

¶ 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.

Exodus 3:2

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.

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Acts 7:32

[Saying], I [am] the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

Isaiah 63:9

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

Exodus 3:6

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.