EXODUS 3:1-6
A BUSH ON FIRE WITH GOD
[Isaiah 33:12-16]
Moses had been a prince in Egypt. While Moses’ is living in Pharaoh’s house, he attempts to become Israel's deliverer after the manner of the flesh. He kills an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. Moses is then forced to run to the wilderness, to Midian where he marries and becomes a shepherd. During this time God breaks and molds Moses into a spiritual man. Now the man who wanted to deliver Israel by his own strength is turned into a man of God and he will answer the call to deliver Israel by God's strength.
Moses spent his first forty years as a prince in Pharaoh's court, his second forty years as a shepherd in the wilderness and his last forty years as a servant deliverer in the desert. Sometimes it is a long time before God calls His servants to the task for which he has been graciously preparing them. God tests His weapons (warriors) before He uses them.
Here we have the appearance of the LORD God. The last time the Lord directly spoke was in a vision to Jacob at night before Jacob came to Egypt. The last appearance of the Lord was when Jacob was converted (and name changed to Israel) during the all night wrestling event. Here we have not a conversion but another great turning point in a man's life. [Any bush will do so long as God is in the bush.]
I. Humbled and Alone, 1.
II. A Flame with God, 2-5.
III. A Flame Forever, 6.
I. HUMBLED AND ALONE, 1.
In verse 1 we learn of Moses occupation as shepherd and where he was pasturing the sheep. “Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
This event takes place forty years after Moses' arrival in Midian according to Acts 7:30. Moses’ father-in-law, Reuel (2:18), or friend of God, here called Jethro (which means preeminence, abundance, or over and above), is a priest of the one true God in Midian. The west side of the wilderness or the back side of the desert indicates that Moses left the desert for the mountains near Horeb on the Sinai plateau. This region provided sufficient food and water for his father-in-law's flock.
Mt. Horeb in anticipation is called "The Mountain of God." Mt. Horeb and Mt. Sinai are two names for the same mountain in the northern part of the Sinai peninsula (the peak is approximately 7,000 ft.). This is the same mountain that Moses will later climb to meet with God and receive the revelation of The Law. [Horeb meaning “dry,” “desert,” was the general name for the mountainous district in which Sinai is situated, and of which it is a part (Ex 19:2).] Though completely unknown to Moses, the Providence of God had led him there for an important purpose. Moses probably thought he was only seeking better pasture.
The man destined to become the deliverer of Israel has found his employment as a shepherd for forty years. He had settled down and was ready to complete his life as a poor shepherd. God's choice servants are often buried in obscurity before He calls them to service.
In all ages God has used those who were busy working. Satan may call idle men into his service but God calls active and earnest - not lazy - men. Only after we are aroused and working will God take us up and use us. You remember where Elijah found Elisha? He was ploughing in the field - hard at work. Gideon was threshing grain. Moses was away in Horeb looking after the sheep. None of these eminent servants of God were idle men; what they did, they did diligently. We need such men and women today. If we can't do God's work with all the skill and success we would like let us at least do it with all the zeal that God has given us.
The verb tense “was pasturing” implies that Moses continually was out there alone in this wilderness. Solitude is a spawning ground for the strong and nature's silent wilderness a more appropriate place to meet God than a palace. It was in the wilderness where this lonely shepherd met God. Jesus would often go to a lonely place to meet God. If you are alone today be ready to meet with God for places of solitude can be places of His presence.
What a contrast between Moses' life as an Egyptian prince and his life as a Midianite shepherd! As a prince he had everything done for him for he was the famous son of an Egyptian princess. As a shepherd he had to do everything for himself. He was employed in the very job he had been taught to despise (Genesis 43:32; 46:32-34), and he lived as an unknown foreigner. What a humbling experience this must have been for Moses! But God was preparing him for leadership. Living the life of a shepherd and nomad, Moses learned about himself and also about life in the desert. Moses couldn't appreciate this lesson, but God was getting him ready to free Israel from Pharaoh's grasp.
II. A FLAME WITH GOD, 2-5.
In the ordinary events of daily life, Moses encounters the extraodinary presence of God in verse 2. “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire yet the bush was not consumed.”
The term “angel” means “messenger.” In this case it refers to a messenger who is identified as God Himself (vv. 4–6). [Criswell, W. A., Patterson, P., Clendenen, E. R., Akin, D. L., Chamberlin, M., Patterson, D. K., & Pogue, J. (Eds.). (1991). Believer’s Study Bible (electronic ed., Ex 3:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.] It seems most appropriate to perceive the Angel of the Lord as a visible manifestation of God. Such visible manifestations of God in the Old Testament are called theophanies, from a word that means “an appearance of God.” [Dunnam, M., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1987). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 60). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.]
The blazing fire is literally as flames of fire. The fire which the Angel of the Lord chose as the form to appear from, did not consume the bush. It's flame was to attract Moses' attention so he would be drawn to the strange phenomenon of the bush that did not burn up. The fire was of a special nature, not of earthly origin because the earthly bush in flames was not being destroyed.
The primary effect of fire is to consume and the secondary is to purify. A spiritual fire will consume moral evil (29:14) and what remains after it's work is done is the purified, the holy (Num. 31:23). Fire makes pure by burning up, consuming the impurities. This is how gold is refined (the dross is removed) to purity also.
Let us realize that our God is a consuming fire (Heb. ) and through His refining affliction and cleansing discipline He makes us fit vessels for His service (1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Cor. 3:11-10). He chastens us with justice which improves our character. [God comes in fire when He comes in judgment (Dan. 7:9-10, Ezk. 1:13, 14,27,28; Rev. 1:14-15; Deut. 4:24). The judgment intended here is for those who oppress His people.] During your affliction and tribulation know that the flame will not consume you, but only the impurities will be removed so that you might reflect His image more clearly. (Isa. 30:14b-16).
I believe the bush can represent the true believer on fire with the Lord. He is one who is having his impurities consumed, and when the lust of the flesh and the pride of life are cleansed, faith, hope and love fuel a bright flame.
[The old Reformed churches of Europe, and some of their successors in this country, with scriptural and historical appropriateness chose for their motto a phrase referring to the burning bush - "Nevertheless, it was not consumed" (Exod.3:2). That is the sentence with which you must conclude every chapter of the history of the church. After every fire of false teaching, of schism, of persecution, of corruption and apostasy, that is the record: "Nevertheless, it was not consumed."]
Notice that the Lord descended on an insignificant common plant (bush) which is symbolic of that which is most humble and even despised. The fire was not in a tall and stately cedar, but in a bramble bush, for God chooses the weak and despised things of this world, like shepherds, to confound the wise, like Pharaoh and His magicians. Any old bush will do, so long as God is in the bush.
The beauty and crown of God's glorious fire is given to the humble. Any old bush will do so long as God is in the bush. The Lord will descend on his people and sanctify without destroying them. God dwelt in the bush, therefore it flamed. And when God dwells in a believer, he will flame also! (Isa. 10:17)
In verse 3 God gets Moses’ attention before He presents Himself to him.“So Moses said, "I must turn aside now, and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up."
The curiosity of Moses is kindled and he turns aside to search into this strange declaration. When God reveals Himself to us we need to inquire further that we might know the meaning of His revelation. God spoke to Moses from an unexpected source; a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he went to investigate. God may use unexpected sources when communicating to us too, whether people, thoughts, or experiences. Be willing to investigate, and be open to God's surprises.
In verse 4 we find that when the Lord had Moses’ full attention, He spoke to Him. “When the Lord [YAHWEH] saw that he turned aside to look, God [Elohim] called to him from the midst of the bush, and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."
God called into the being of Moses out of the supernatural and invisible realm. The Eternal Omnipotent uttered his name. The call of Moses was his commission and the call was a personal one. He repeats his name, Moses, Moses, to make the call emphatic.
When Moses turned and was looking to God, God called because He had Moses' attention. Moses had left his normal affairs and he had turned aside and then God called to him. Are you too busy to turn aside from your routine to show interest in God? Then do not complain that you do not hear God speak nor know that He is there. If Moses had carelessly rejected God's call to attention, God may have departed and said nothing and Moses would have never known God was there. But Moses “turned aside” and God called him.
We must always draw near to God first (James 4:8). If we would hear His voice, whether it be a bush or some other earthen vessel through which God is speaking, we must turn aside from our affairs to come and to inquire and to hear God speak. God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
[The glory of God is connected with the Word of God. Divine visions are given for Divine revelations.]
Moses answered, "Here I am." Not only to hear what is said, but to do what is asked (like Isaiah's call in Isa. 6:1- 4).
Because of his awesome nature, God’s holy presence had to be approached with caution in verse 5. “Then He said, "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
God blazing in an ordinary bush did not diminish His holiness. God gave Moses a needful caution against the rashness and irreverence of his approach. Come near but don't pry. God will satisfy the conscience but not the curiosity. God does not welcome our imprudence for there is a great distance between Him and us. He is not "the Man Upstairs" and His last name does not begin with "D". We are to come boldly before the throne but not irreverently. God is our friend but He is also the Sovereign Lord.
God not only demanded reverence, but He demanded obedience, telling Moses to remove his shoes. Those sandals carried the dirt of Moses' journey and man must be pure when he approaches God. Jesus washed His disciples feet (Jn. 13:1-8).
The place of the burning bush was holy because of the presence of the Holy God, and the removing of the shoes, the external, is not merely for a place, but it was seeking the inward man (Eph. 3:16). A man must be cleansed of his walking in a sinful world before he approaches a Holy God.
To approach God frivolously shows a lack of respect and sincerity. When you come to God in worship, do you approach Him casually, or do you come as though you were an invited guest before a king? If necessary, adjust your attitude so it is suitable for approaching a holy God.
III. A FLAME FOREVER, 6.
In verse 6 the Lord God identifies Himself to Moses. “He said also, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”
God identified Himself in order that Moses would know that he was not meeting an unknown God. The One who spoke was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “The God of his father” indicates that Moses' father was most probably the first person that introduced him to the Supreme Being and from whom he learned about Him.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were the Patriarchs, Moses' ancestors who had entered into a special covenant of salvation with God. God remembers His promises and covenants (Heb. 11:16) and according to His sovereign plan is now ready to act on their behalf.
Notice the use of the present tense "I Am." God is the God of the living not the dead. Jesus said to the sneering Sadducees, a man who is God's man cannot die (Mt. 22:32, Mk. 12:26, Lk. 20:37). A bond with God is one not even death can break. God is their God, not was their God. The relationship is eternal and thus guarantees their immortal life.
Moses hid his face. The announcement of Divine presence awakened a solemn awe in the mind and heart of Moses. The sight of holiness no sinful man can bear. (Or live through 33:20; Judg. 6:22; 13:22; I Kings 19:13; Isa. 6:2). It will make one both ashamed and afraid. Before he realized God was in the bush there was no respect. The more we become aware of God, the more we will realize His presence, the more we will worship, reverence and obey Him.
In CLOSING
God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of the living and not the dead, that is to say the fire that burns will not burn out.
On that judgment day we will approach the God who is a consuming fire and those that know Him not will remain in that fire of judgment. Those of us that know Him will pass through and have our works tested to see if they are wood, hay and stubble or gold, silver and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:11ff).
Yes, we each will be tested on that day. Will you this day yield your life to God and allow His flame to refine and purify your life? Will you allow His refining touch now that your life's works may stand in the final testing of eternity?
God dwelt in the bush therefore it flamed. God's flame is eternal and never flames out. If God is in you, you should flame and if one does, that flame will be eternal. Because He lives, so do I.
A humble thornbush springs up and lives its solitary life amidst the sands of the desert. Yet it is not too humble, too lowly to hold God. It was not too impure, too evil to burst into flames when God came either. This fragile bush became the abode of Almighty God! And for each of us, may that emblem of His presence be true also; may we be aflame with His glory. Remember any old bush will do as long as God is in the bush.
If He lives in us we have been salted with fire, baptized with fire and will flame with God's glory for all eternity.
