.- There is an expression that says something like “She is on fire.” The woman mentioned, whatever she is doing, she is doing the job well.
Fire communicates intensity to action. Christians sometimes describe their faith as “on fire.” This expression is appropriate considering the ways in which fire is evoked in the Bible. Some of which would appropriately describe faith.
A particular case occurs in the book of Exodus where Moses, before becoming a renowned figure throughout the centuries, came across a burning bush. Although it was not an ordinary fire. This bush was set on fire by a divine presence.
On that sacred ground is where Moses met the great I AM. The moment marked a change in his life where God would ignite his faith, giving him the commission to guide others with a purpose ordained by God.
There are lessons for the believer today in this story. Lessons that are important to any believer throughout history. We will examine 3 important lessons from Moses and the burning bush, after taking some time to understand the context of this event.
What happens in the story of Moses and the burning bush?
We read about Moses and the burning bush in the third chapter of Exodus. The passage begins with a description of Moses serving as shepherd of his mother-in-law’s sheep. Moses leads the flock of sheep into the desert and comes to a mountain called Horeb.
While performing an ordinary duty, something very unusual happens: a bush catches fire. Just a bush. Moses is no stranger to fire, but a single burning bush probably seems strange to him. Even stranger, Moses is quick to note that the fire was not destroying the vegetation.
“So Moses thought: ‘I must go and behold this extraordinary sight. Why is the bush not burning? (Exodus 3:3).
The fire is initially described as being started by an angel of the Lord. However, once Moses becomes aware of the bush, that is when God begins to speak to Moses.
When God speaks to his servant, he calls Moses by name. In fact, he calls Moses’ name twice! To this personal acknowledgment, Moses responds in the same way. He easily presents himself to God.
God instructs Moses
From there, God begins to give instructions to Moses. First, he has to remove his sandals because the ground is sacred, possibly because of what just happened with the burning bush.
Then God speaks to Moses and tells him that He is the God of his ancestors. He also calls them by his name: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. God says that he knows that his children are suffering in Egypt. He listens to his prayers and has an answer.
God gives Moses an order: go to Egypt and present a case to Pharaoh for the Jews to be freed. And he tells Moses that this adventure will not be easy.
Since God chose to speak to Moses through the bush instead of the standard prayer, we can be sure that there is important symbolism and lessons to be learned from this story.
The burning bush shows the nearness of God
God approached Moses in this story. He made his presence known. Moses accepted that closeness when he in turn presented himself to God. This story, like others in the Bible, speaks of the omnipresence of God. He meets us where we are even when we don’t know where to find him, or if we don’t even think to look.
Furthermore, God manifested himself through a burning bush. God chooses how he will make his presence known. For something as monumental as the mission of Moses, God appeared extraordinary.
We know that God’s presence with Moses is not limited to the bush when he tells Moses that he will be with him on the journey. Moses is not alone and, in fact, he was never alone. From the moment he woke up to the moment he traveled to Horeb and saw the burning bush, God was with him.
Today, we can apply this knowledge to our own lives by recognizing that God is present with us every day and throughout the day. He sees us wake up and he sees us sleep. God also has the power to make his presence known in a not-so-subtle way.
Moses encountered a burning bush, but we may find ourselves faced with unusual circumstances, or perhaps see a billboard or cloud, something that informs us that God is present and calling us.
The burning bush shows the call of God
God gave Moses a mandate, a divine call or vocation. Even though Moses doubted himself, God’s command was upheld. And as the rest of Exodus reveals, God kept his word. He always does. What the story of Moses informs readers is that God gives his children a purpose.
That purpose may be something we don’t feel qualified for, but God has a plan. God’s plan for Moses was not thought of on the spot. God gave him a task that was already calculated.
All that Moses did not have, God would supply and did. The same is true for Christians today. Sometimes we are called to do things that we are not excited about or capable of doing.
However, if God knows we can, why can’t we believe in ourselves? The implication is that God doesn’t know as much as we do if we doubt his call on our lives.
Instead, what we should do is humble ourselves before God and ask him what is the best way to fulfill our vocation.
The burning bush shows confidence over doubt
Moses was not perfect in his relationship with God. In this chapter he doubted, then again in Exodus he doubted. This later doubt led to his brother Aaron serving as the voice of the people. Moses acted as interpreter.
Although imperfect in his faith, Moses showed great trust in God. He was given an important task that probably seemed impossible by human standards. He was supposed to free an entire nation from slavery.
Regardless of the doubts that crossed his mind during the adventure, Moses maintained his relationship with God. He acted on behalf of the Lord even when he was met with opposition.
We must work to display this same level of trust and God, and ideally, more trust than Moses achieved.
If we see that God can do great things through a man, what can he do through us? Moses hesitated because he looked at the circumstances. When he managed to trust, he looked to God. We should do the same.
our burning bush
Is God speaking to you today, through a person, a sermon, a message on a billboard? Is God calling you by name to serve him? Moses shows us that God can reach us wherever we are and whomever He chooses. God can perform the simplistic and the extraordinary, on his account and through his people.
Moses ran into obstacles, some predetermined, others he created himself through his doubts. In all cases, God helped him. God never left his side.
We should be encouraged knowing that God will support us in all that he has called us to accomplish. Just as he calls us by name, he gives each of us a vocation. We simply have to respond to Him and say, “Here I am, Lord.”
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Written by Aaron Brown, a freelance writer, dance teacher, and visual artist. He currently contributes articles to GodUpdates, GodTube, iBelieve, and Crosswalk. Aaron also supports clients through the Upwork autonomous platform.
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