Today, we delve deeper into the fascinating story of Moses’ encounter with Yahweh in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. Moses was going about his daily routine of shepherding, something he had been doing for forty years, when a blazing bush arrested his attention. We are told in Exodus 3:2 that ” The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush.” You may want to review last week’s post concerning this “angel of the Lord” before continuing. https://www.cosdavis.com/the-angel-of-the-lord/
Today’s post is entitled “The God Who is Faithful,” and will focus on some distinguishing characteristics of this “god” Moses is encountering at the blazing bush. The focal passage for consideration is Exodus 3:4-9. But, before we look at the Scripture, let’s think about some things that will enrich our understanding of what’s happening in this encounter.
First, the Bible has one main character. God is the central figure in all scripture. The Bible’s primary purpose is to reveal who God is, His plan for the world, and the people He created. Many of the stories in the Bible, such as this one, are about God’s direct interaction with someone. Sometimes, God is unseen, working in the background to accomplish His plan. Whatever the situation, one question is always appropriate: What is this telling us about God?
Another thing to keep in mind in this story is that Moses lived in a polytheistic world; each nation had its special god or gods. We are “worshipping” beings; we are made that way and will make a “god” of something or someone, or perhaps, claim to be an atheist, promoting the state, self, or government as the highest power or authority in life. On Mount Sinai, Moses encountered the”god” of the Israelites, the One who promised Abraham to make a great nation and bless the entire world through him.
In the coming weeks, we will consider the question: What is the meaning of Yahweh, the name that Moses’ God gives Himself?
Now, what exciting things can we learn about God as we continue the story of Moses at the blazing bush? Exodus 3:4-9.
God knows your name and cares about you.
Exodus 3:4-5. “God called to him from the midst of the bush, and said, ‘Moses, Moses!'” When Moses answered, God warned him to be careful approaching Him, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
God knew Moses, his name, and everything about him. There was nothing Moses ever did, said, or thought that God did not know. He knew him before he was born, what his mother did to save him, how he had grown up in Pharaoh’s house, why, and how he murdered the Egyptian. And guess what, God knows your name, too, and everything about you.
Not only did God know Moses, but He also cared about him. It’s one thing to be known, it’s another thing to be loved. Where do we get the idea that God loved or cared about Moses? God’s warning or caution to Moses was to protect him from the personal catastrophe that could result from rushing into the presence of the blazing holiness and righteousness of God. The old saying “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,” conveys this sense of caution about how we deal with God and that which is holy. Like a loving parent, God instructs, guides, and cautions His children. He attempts to protect us from our foolishness through scripture, the prompting and caution of the Spirit, prayer, and the wise counsel of other believers.
God is a Compassionate Promise-Keeper.
Exodus 3:6-9. God’s warning to Moses strikes fear into his heart, causing him to freeze in place and cover his face, lest he look at God and die. The blazing bush has led him into the very presence of Almighty God! What an awesome, fearful encounter this must have been!
Moses is frozen in speechless fear, his face covered, when God speaks to comfort him. “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” As Moses was able to let this sink in and begin to process what God was saying, his heart must have felt a rush of comfort and encouragement. These words, “God of your father, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” conveyed compassion and promise.
Moses’ sense of hope and expectation is greatly bolstered when God begins to reveal what is on His heart: “I have surely seen the affliction of my people and have given heed to their cry.” God is speaking Moses’ language, touching on something that has been on his mind for decades, but something he was unable to do anything about. God cares about His people; He has not forgotten His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!
What joy and excitement must have rushed through Moses’ body when God told of His intention related to the dire situation of the enslaved Hebrews he had once attempted to champion. “I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from the land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…”
As this marvelous story unfolds, we will see God act through Moses to do exactly what He promised Abraham He would do. Over four hundred years have passed since God made that promise to Abraham, but time is nothing to God; nothing will cause Him to forget, or deter Him from doing what He tells us He will do for us.
Take hope in the God who is faithful. He is with you, will provide what is needed, and will guide you and help you in times of trouble. Jesus is Risen and is coming again! Praise be to our faithful Lord!