Scripture: Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your 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 at God.
Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Exodus 3:1-12 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Moses presents a vague timeline: “those many days.” However, Luke later records that Stephen, when brought before the high priest and his council, recounted a well-known oral tradition: the three epochs of Moses’ life (prince, shepherd, and leader of God’s people) each lasted for about forty years (Act 7:23-36). We also learn that the Pharaoh who sought Moses’ life when he fled to Midian has since passed away, but his son continues to treat Israel harshly. Thus, God hears his people’s cries, remembers his covenant with Abraham, sees (considers) their plight, and knows (is concerned).
Today’s reading continues Moses’ story with a close encounter with Yahweh. Moses provides a breathtaking perspective of our Father’s pursuit and attentive care for his children. Reiterating that he fully knows Israel’s suffering, the Lord tells Moses that he has come down to deliver his covenant people from the Egyptians and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey (vv.7-9). So, how has the infinite Creator of the universe stooped into his creation? Yahweh reveals his glory through a fire that does not consume and with a voice that demands attention. In this epiphany, the Lord commands Moses to “come” (v.10), implying that he will continue to guide his people each step of the way.
But Moses, the same man who said, “Here I am,” succumbs to self-doubt and questions whether he has what it takes to confront Pharaoh and lead a nation to freedom (v.11). Still, our gracious Lord does not chastise Moses at this point. Instead, he reassures Moses that he will be with him and will confirm that Moses has been “sent” by God when he and his kin return to this same mountain and serve Yahweh (v.12). Here, the Hebrew word for “serve” also includes an element of worship.
Takeaway: It’s fascinating that the sign God promises to Moses to verify that he is the chosen human vessel to lead God’s people to the Promised Land is not a staff that turns into a serpent or any of the ten plagues. Instead, confirmation will come when they exercise their freedom to love their God through worship and service, and it will begin when they arrive at Mount Sinai (Horeb), where it all started for Moses.
Also, the setting of God’s presence in the fire and his promise to be with Moses points us to God soon leading Israel out of bondage and toward the Promised Land in a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21-22). Additionally, it directs our attention to Isaiah’s prophetic words of assurance to Israel that their Lord has redeemed them and will be with them when they pass through the fire and will not come to harm (Isaiah 43:1-2).
Our takeaway? Who doesn’t want the assurance of a miraculous sign when God calls us to step out in faith and carry on with our mission? And who would rather wait to receive confirmation when well on their way? But our spiritual journeys are not one by sight but by faith. With that in mind, is there any more meaningful encounter with the presence of God than when we worship and serve him by faith? Sure, supernatural, external signs would certainly quick-start our confidence. Still, what will sustain us when we face hardship is the confirmation of our transformation: from self-serving to God-serving, from self-worship to God-worship. Indeed, Christ himself, who came into our world to serve us and give away his life as a ransom for us (Mark 10:45), confirmed his mission at Calvary when he said, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
Our part? Resist focusing on our deficiencies and trust that God has equipped us with all we need. Then follow in his footsteps and worship and serve him, for he will be with us when we go through our fiery trials, and, in due time, he will instill confidence in us of our calling!
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for the gift of your Son, whose mission is the sign of our calling. We also thank you for your Holy Spirit, who continues to assure us when doubts arise that he has equipped us with all we need to complete our mission. So, please help us draw near to you and your Son and wholeheartedly worship and faithfully serve you, knowing that, in due time, you will instill confidence in our calling. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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