What does Exodus 3:6 mean?

The Lord identifies Himself in this verse, speaking out of a bush which is blazing with fire but not consumed. He calls Himself the "God of your father." This is most likely a reference to Abraham, father of the Israelites, rather than the first-generation father of Moses. God clarifies this by stating that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This not only establishes His identity, it reaffirms God's intent to fulfill His covenant to His people. There is no doubt this is the same God who revealed Himself to the patriarchs of the Jewish people.

In response, Moses "hid his face." It is uncertain if he bowed with his face to the ground or covered his face with his clothing, though bowing is more likely. He feared looking at God. The Jews believed no one could see God and live (Exodus 33:20). The ground was holy (Exodus 3:5) and God was there with Moses. This is the first written occurrence of God directly speaking with someone over the prior 400 years of the history of Israel. Interestingly, God spoke to John the Baptist, many centuries later, after another 400-year period of silence. In that moment, God would introduce the coming of the Messiah to offer freedom from sins. This is one of many ways Jesus has often been noted as similar to Moses, offering a second exodus of freedom to people.