Today, we begin considering one of the most significant events in the Old Testament, Moses’s surprise encounter with Yahweh in the wilderness. Exodus 3:1-6 is one of the most significant passages in the Old Testament, filled with graphic detail concerning Moses’ encounter with Yahweh in the wilderness near Mount Horeb.
“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.
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 not consumed.
So Moses said, “I must turn aside now, and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.”
When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
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.”
He also said, ” I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.”
This is an amazing passage, filled with details and nuances that help us understand the gravity of the situation. Moses is having an encounter with God, one that will change his life, the history of Israel, and eventually the entire world. I’m attempting to illustrate the importance of Moses’ encounter with God by focusing on some details about the place where Moses meets God, the Mountain of God.
The Mountain of God
“Now Moses…led the flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mount of God.” Exodus 3:1. Why did the writer of Exodus mention that Moses moved the flock to “the mountain of God?” We can assume that Moses wanted good pasture for the flock, but we are not told if Moses knew anything about the mountain of God or its location. Moses wasn’t looking for God or his mountain; he was looking for grass for the flock. So, what is the writer saying to us by giving us the specific location of the pasture as “the mountain of God?”
The name used to identify this mountain is “Horeb,” a name interchangeable with “Sinai.” I believe the writer of Exodus is reminding us of two historic events that took place on this mountain: Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, as well as the giving of the Ten Commandments as Moses was leading the once-enslaved Israelites toward the Promised Land.
Can you imagine the sense of wonder and excitement that was stirred in the hearts of future generations of Hebrew children as fathers recounted what happened at the “Mountain of God?” As they heard these words,” the mountain of God,” they eagerly anticipated the rest of this amazing story about how God would startle Moses and speak to him out of the burning bush and say, “I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you bring my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”
The Mountain of God was the place where Moses’ life was redirected, and Israel’s course in history was forever altered. Here are a few “takeaways” that I will share with you about some of the things I’m learning about God and the promises He has made us.
- God will keep His promises to us. Whatever He promises to those who trust Him, He will do. This is who He is: our loving, promise-keeping Father.
- God takes the initiative to involve us in His plan. Moses wasn’t looking for God on that mountain; God was waiting for him. God chooses the time, place, and method of how we will encounter Him. Moses was on this mountain, Isaiah was in the temple, Elijah was in a cave, and Paul was on the road to Damascus when they encountered God. Where were you when you first became aware of God’s presence and call on your life? Moses was looking for grass for the flock. What were you doing when God made Himself known to you?
- God knows when we need Him to encounter us. There is no doubt that Moses hadn’t forgotten about the misery of his enslaved brothers and his failed attempt to become their leader. This desire hadn’t died, but he was powerless to do anything to help them. God knew his heart, and when the time was right, Moses brought the flock to the place where God would speak to him.
- Are you at a place where you need an encounter with God? Is your life off track? Are you feeling empty and worn out from trying to find peace and meaning in what this world tries to substitute for a relationship with God? If you are ready, your “mountain of God” experience is as close as your prayer for God’s help.