Scripture of the Week – 19th to 25th June
Exod 3:1-6
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
(NIV)
Take some time this week to imagine this story, perhaps from the perspective of Moses and then someone looking on. What do you notice? What emotions do you feel? What do you sense God speaking to you about as you inhabit this story?
I find interesting that the mountain of God was located on the far side of the wilderness. Perhaps this is where we often tend to meet with God – in the wilderness. This could mean a different thing to each person, but it is certainly a place of struggle, challenge or transformation. The Lord knew Moses very well as He knows each of us, so He knew how to draw Moses’s attention and that he would not be afraid of the burning bush, but rather be curious and brave enough to explore an unusual thing. I guess that God is using different ways based on our character and circumstances to encourage us to come to Him.
I am moved by the beauty and power of this encounter God creates for Moses. ‘This is amazing’ and ‘I must go see it’- Moses is amazed by this bush, this moment made for God and him. God says his name! ‘Moses Moses’. I am struck by the kindness of God in creating this one of a kind moment for Moses to have with Him that Moses could look back on in the challenging adventure ahead. That Moses had this sacred and holy ground moment one on one with the living God who was giving him all he needed for his journey ahead and calling him by name.
To have this strange and even beautiful burning bush – a wonder in front of him shows God pursuing him and inviting him. Inviting him into first the most sacred holy and intimate moment with God, alone together, then on to an adventure joining in with what God is doing in setting his beloved people free from slavery.
God pursues. God calls Moses by name. In an intimate moment for just Him and God. Then he invites Moses to join him on the adventure of a lifetime – a kingdom adventure.
I believe God pursues us first. He loves us first. He knows us intimately and each by name. He has moments ready for us to meet with him one on one in a sacred place, on holy ground where we are. And he is inviting us to adventure with Him. Praise Him.
“So Moses thought, “I will go over and see…”. Am I prepared to see something and ‘go over and see? Am I curious enough to look at or investigate something and let God speak to me through it?
“Do not come any closer…” – Moses was prevented from going near to God (because of his sin?). How different it is for us now! Through Jesus’s death and resurrection I can not only approach God – He actually invites me to come right into His presence, stay there, ‘hang out’, relax, talk things over, tell Him all my joys and woes. He is always available, always waiting with His arms out, just to be with me!
Wow! … so how often do I actually do it?