Story Time: Burning Bush

Intro/Scripture

Exodus 3:1–12 NIV

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

Pray.

When you go into the ministry, your call story is something you have to become quite familiar with.

56% of Christians believe that one’s calling is primarily a solo journey.

67% of christians believe there is a perfect job waiting for you.

So God is a hide and seek God who has a soul mate for you and a perfect job. And you have to find it.

Background

Birth and Early Life

Birth and Rescue: Moses was born to Hebrew parents during a time when the Pharaoh of Egypt had ordered all newborn Hebrew boys to be killed to control the population. To save him, Moses' mother placed him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile River. Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket and decided to adopt Moses, raising him as her own in the Egyptian palace.

Moses' Identity: Although raised as an Egyptian prince, Moses was aware of his Hebrew heritage. This dual identity played a significant role in his later actions.

Flight to Midian

Moses' Conflict: As a young man, Moses witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. In a fit of anger, he killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. The next day, he tried to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, but they questioned his authority and mentioned the murder, making Moses realize his deed was known.

Exile to Midian: Fearing for his life, Moses fled Egypt to the land of Midian, where he found refuge with Jethro, the priest of Midian. Moses married Jethro's daughter, Zipporah, and became a shepherd.

Encounter with the Burning Bush

The Burning Bush: While tending Jethro's flock on Mount Horeb (also called Mount Sinai), Moses saw a bush that was on fire but not consumed by the flames. Curious, he approached the bush.

God's Call: From the burning bush, God spoke to Moses, revealing Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God informed Moses that He had seen the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt and planned to deliver them from bondage.

There is three movements in the text that I think is helpful for us this morning:

1. Divine encounter

2. Commissioning for service

3. The Promise of Presence

Before we get rolling, can I just say up front…. you are not Moses.

Divine Encounter

God comes in an extraordinary way through the burning bush and it was not consumed with flames.

God still moves in extraordinary ways

God does not have to move in extraordinary ways

We learn to recognize God in Scripture, in community

Calling to be a missionary. yeah but you have a family

God was moving in my life before I realized it

It is important for us to expect it. (Core value of Presence-Based)

It is important that we look for God. (too many of us think about God 1-2 times a day.)

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, famous poet:

“Earth is crammed with heaven and every common bush a fire with God. But only he who sees will take off his shoes. The rest will just pick blackberries.”

It is important for us to name it. (Moses takes off his shoes).

Commissioning for Service

Moses is commissioned for service and you have this great interaction that we should relate to. Moses’ fear and doubts are on full display.

Exodus 3:11 NIV

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Moses’ doubts are an offense to the identity of God. The rebuking here is stronger than we might think.

As we focus on our fear and doubt of calling, we think we are humble but in fact we are doubting what God can do in us and through us.

I AM sent me…

Primary Calling

We all have a primary calling. Calling is not reserved for professional Christians. It needs to be stated.

Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service. (Os Guinness, The Call)

Secondary Calling

Calling is where gifts and passions align.

Moses…. he was destined for leadership but tried to do it on his own.

Saw a hebrew slave being beaten

Next day tried to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews.

Talk about my calling:

Serving on a mission trip in the DR. A personal and primary calling. Then a secondary calling.

My calling is to help people awaken to the power and love God has for you.

Notice my calling is not about a profession.

Parents

teacher

Business leaders

The Promise of Presence

Why the burning bush? Some think there is symbolism and power. This is the I AM, naming of Yahweh, no doubt his sovereignty is a theme of Exodus..

Some believe the bush represents Moses. God is showing him what it looks like to be one of his servants. God wants Moses to see That the power of God, the presence of God will be in him, with him.

The great commission

The calling on the disciples to wait for power to come.

The burning bush is a precursor for pentecost.

All consumable fire that will not consume the host.

the story of the burning bush teaches us about the importance of recognizing divine encounters in our lives, approaching God with reverence, and being willing to accept His call despite our fears and inadequacies. As we reflect on Exodus 3, may we be inspired to seek God's presence, honor His holiness, and step boldly into the missions He sets before us.