When Fire Gives Instruction

In order to understand Exodus 3:1-6, we must first immerse ourselves in the happenings of Exodus two. At the end of this familiar chapter, Moses has fled Egypt, gotten married and had a son. By all accounts, he was in the clear and had completely abandoned his identity in Egypt. While this is going on, the children of Israel are groaning in chapter 2 verses 23-25 and God hears them. They are begging for an interruption in their current situation that leads to a permanent solution. That’s where Moses comes in. Exodus 3:1-6 shows us the power of encountering God in the ordinary and receiving instruction in the fire.

Have you ever gotten so comfortable in your new identity that you forget who you are and where you came from? Have you ever had the Moses syndrome, where you commit sin and instead of facing it head on and repenting, you run away and forget what happened? As soon as you’ve forgotten and gotten comfortable in Midian with your new life, that’s when the bush starts burning. 

Moses is in the desert tending to his father in law’s flock when all of a sudden his new “normal” is interrupted by a supernatural act that piqued curiosity and turned into a life of servant leadership. Be like Moses today and allow your curiosity to only be piqued by the Lord. Allow the Lord to WOW you so that you can once again see His glory and respond “Here am I” as you stand on holy ground ready to receive instruction from Him.

Immersive Verse Break Down

1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

Moses- son of Jochebed, brother of Aaron and Miriam

Jethro- Zipporah’s father, Moses’ father-in-law

Look at Moses already being in the desert AND near the mountain of God (Horeb). Even in this season of running, God was preparing Moses for places he would encounter later on his journey leading the children of Israel. 

2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

While in the desert during his new routine, he was interrupted by a surreal instance performed by the only real God. Here’s the thing…no one likes an interruption but Moses was not alone on this journey. He had his father in law’s flock. Most animals are highly routine oriented. Consistency is the name of the game but today, there was nothing routine or consistent about the encounter.  This fact alone could have made Moses frustrated and choose to end his morning routine early but..

3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

The choices you make are yours to make. Moses knows that all too well. Remember why he’s even in Midian in the first place? Exodus 2:11-15 details bad choices that drove Moses to Midian. Exodus 3:3 gives us an insight into one of the many good choices he made that we can admire. Moses chose to lean into the interruption. Sometimes when you’re in the desert alone with your animals with no distractions, God sends a fire that can grab your attention. Not a fire that destroys but one that directs your attention to God and His instruction.

4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

Did you catch that? God did not beg for Moses’ attention nor did He shy away from it. When Moses was ready and when Moses CHOSE to look, that’s when God called unto him. Free will is so powerful especially when you use it correctly. Right after God called out, Moses made another great choice. He answered the call! 

5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Call and response. It’s an effective tactic that has been used for ages. God called, Moses responded and now the conversation has begun. It’s important to note here that just because you answer the call, that does not mean you are completely ready for the task at hand. Sometimes you have to go through preparation. Moses was not ready yet. He had to do one more thing before the full life changing instruction of God came to him. He was told to stop and take off his shoes. He needed to recognize where he was, whose presence he was in, and act accordingly. Do you know where you are? Are you in the proper attire for what God has in store for you?

6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

When you realize who you are speaking to, it’s at that point you change your tone, body language, etc. to fit the caliber of person. Moses realized that he was listening to “the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”.  No one deserves more respect than Him. Once you give Him the praise, honor, and glory He is due…that’s when life changes and that random interruption that caught your attention turns into fiery divine direction.

Maybe God is sending a fire interruption in your life right now and He’s waiting for you to turn and “see this great sight” so that you can receive the instruction that will set your path right and save a nation of people. Choose God.Always.

-Räiin