Burning Bush - Part 2: Meaning for Moses

In my last post, we started talking about the burning bush and how it (from a scientific perspective) might have happened. Today we'll begin to dig in to the spiritual meat and will talk about what the burning bush meant for Moses (and Israel). In the next post, we'll finish our series with a look at what this miracle means for us.

At the time of the burning bush, Moses is taking care of his father-in-law's sheep in the region of Midian. Now, think to yourself, what is Moses doing in Midian? Aren't the Israelites suffering in Egypt? Oh right, Moses ran away after he murdered someone. So, from what we know about Moses: first his mother floats him down the river, he's found by a woman in Pharaoh's household, he murders someone, and now he's a shepherd; interesting career path.

The first part of the burning bush story has God revealing himself to Moses and then warning Moses to take off his shoes because he is on holy ground. Now what is it that makes this ground holy? We've discussed Midian; is it inherently holy? No. What makes this ground holy is God's presence there.

Next, God tells Moses that he has seen His people's affliction, has heard their cry, and knows their suffering; he then reveals that he will be sending Moses to rescue them. For Moses, this is what we'd consider his official 'call' from God; this is where God turns an orphaned royal stepchild, murdering shepherd into a savior (lowercase s).

Finally, Moses, among the most reluctant of Biblical characters, asks God how he could possibly go before Pharaoh, etc. God responds with little more than "I will be with you", not only as a comfort to Moses, but answering his question "How?" Not only is God's presence comforting to Moses, but it is necessary.