As we start this journey in earnest I encourage you to read the Book of Exodus, the first 12 chapters tell of their path to their great journey…God’s Great Road Trip. We note right off that the life of Moses plays out over three 40 year segments.  

The first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh’s court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a king in Jeshurun, which is another word for Israel. Life is always changing and Moses was constantly having to adapt to the changes and from that first day in those bulrushes God was with him. When God first shows himself to Moses, he finds him tending sheep. Moses has two qualities which we all can admire. While Tending sheep…seems like an unlikely position for a man who was raised in a royal household, a well educated man, he is satisfied with it, he has learned meekness and contentment…Many times we are driven to do things because we cannot be happy with what we have. God is pleased when he finds us busy with life and not resting in idle despair. As we move through these first six verses the mission is disclosed as God makes his presence and purpose known to Moses. Tending sheep was a lonely job but sometimes being alone is a good friend when we have the opportunity to communicate with God. One thing about God he shows up in the most unexpected ways. The bush was burning, but yet it did not burn away and that got the attention of Moses. There is a point here, that bush is a symbol of the faith then and of the church today…it reminds us that in every age under the severest of persecution the presence of God has kept the faith and the church from being destroyed and in this case…that bush. Fire itself is an emblem of the church in many ways. In it we see Divine holiness and justice, of the afflictions and trials of the faithful, the purification of his people, the baptism of the Holy Ghost…The presence of God magnified in many ways. Words, we can get lost in words when the simple truth is there before our very eyes. God comes to us in many ways and a receptive heart and mind do us great service. We can assume that Moses was a bit taken back by that bush…but he was a good man, chosen by God and he responded by taking off his shoes as a token of submission and respect. Moses hid his face as if ashamed to look upon the face of God. Fear and Awe.The more we see of God, and his grace, and covenant love, the more cause we shall see to worship him with reverence and godly fear. These next few verses 7-10 inform us of God noticing the afflictions and hearing the cries of his people. The oppressions they have endured at the behest of the Pharaoh and his taskmasters but know that they in all their earthly greatness are not above him, God promises speedy deliverance by the his protective care and spiritual power. We must remember that even in the harshest of times God hears our cries. There is waiting for us a heavenly Canaan, so to speak. 

Verses 11-15 show us a Moses who is held back by of all things his own confidence when he suddenly is confronted with the knowledge of his own weaknesses. We must learn not to move quickly but to seek God’s guidance and learn the patience of and assurance of faith in our God. It is enough to know that he will be with us in our heavenly endeavors. Our God is self-existent: he has his being of himself and That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. God says,  “I AM THAT I AM.”  Let Israel know this, I AM hath sent me unto you. I am, and there is none else besides me. All else have their being from God, and are wholly dependent upon him. Also, here is a name that denotes what God is to his people. The Lord God of your fathers sent me unto you. Moses must revive among them the religion of their fathers, which was almost lost; and then they might expect the speedy performance of the promises made unto their fathers.

Wisdom, knowledge and power are the fuel of the burning bush. By God’s grace the elders of Israel would receive the instructions of Moses into their hearts, they would open their ears to him, Moses, and his commands, which God has given him. God makes known to Moses that petitions and persuasions, and humble complaints, would not prevail with the Pharaoh; nor a mighty hand stretched out in signs and wonders. But Pharaoh will certainly be broken by the power of God’s hand, who will not bow to the power of his word. From all this we have a view of the miserable, abject state of sinners. It seems in a way unbelievable but they struggle on till God sends redemption. God sends his message and will through Moses and most importantly the teaching of his Spirit. Thus Satan loses his power to hold them and they are set free with all they have….and more. Giving thanks to the glory of God and to service to his church.

What is your Egypt? Who or what holds you in bondage? Seek the word of our Lord and began your Road Trip. 

Life is Good

jk