Old Testament passage for Saturday, January 26, 2013: Exodus 2:11-3:22
2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” 4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:2-4 (NKJV)
The burning bush is one of the most vivid images in all of Scripture. It is the focal point of perhaps the most intense encounter between God and man that we find. Theologically and historically it has tremendous meaning and significance. We can dive into the depths of rich meaning and find that the well never runs dry. As is stated in vs. 5, this place is "holy ground."
Three things happen at the burning bush. Each should be studied and meditated upon more.
1. HOW GOD WORKS. God tells Moses how He works. In vss. 7-8, the Angel of the Lord says that God has SEEN, HEARD, KNOWN, and COME DOWN. Praise God! That's what Jesus does for us. He is fully acquainted with our condition, and He comes to us.
2. WHAT GOD WANTS. We find in this story the CALL of God. He tells Moses explicitly what He wants him to do. This is awesome. Almighty God condescending to a man and giving him individual instruction. The grand news is that He wants to do that with each one of us. He really does.
3. WHO GOD IS. In response to Moses' question, God says that He name is I AM. I cannot begin to plumb the depths of significance here. In a single phrase, God not only identifies Himself, but also gives definition to all of existence - reality - creation.
May each of us come to the burning bush. May we find the way God works in our lives. May we learn of His call upon us both individually and as His people. May we get to know WHO HE IS, not just knowing about Him, but having personal face-to-face friendship with Him.
This will be a fire in your heart. It is a fire that consumes yet never dies. It burns but never dims. In that warmth, we will grow.
May each of us come to the burning bush. May we find the way God works in our lives. May we learn of His call upon us both individually and as His people. May we get to know WHO HE IS, not just knowing about Him, but having personal face-to-face friendship with Him.
This will be a fire in your heart. It is a fire that consumes yet never dies. It burns but never dims. In that warmth, we will grow.
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