In the Book of Exodus we read of the account of Moses and the burning bush.
Exodus 3:1-5 states,
“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. 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. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 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. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”
No doubt Moses had previously seen bushes in the desert [wilderness] on fire – yet, they had all been consumed. But on this occasion Moses beholds a bush on fire – yet, it is not consumed. For this reason Moses turned aside and drew close “to see this great sight.” Little did Moses know at the time that it was the angel of the Lord who appeared unto him in the form of the flame – and that it would be God who would call him by name, “Moses, Moses.” Through the remainder of the chapter we read of God calling Moses to service – that is, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. But let us note here that before God spoke to Moses – Moses had to willingly “turn aside and draw close to see [and to hear]” – before God began to give him instructions as to the service He was calling him unto. For Moses had two options: 1) turn aside and see; 2) ignore the burning bush and walk on by.
I often wonder how busy we have become in our daily lives that we refuse to “turn aside and see [and to hear]” what God has in store for us. Note, while I don’t expect God to send an angel to appear as a flame in a bush – God can still speak to our hearts through His Word and His Spirit. But how often do we approach God in prayer [in reverence] – as if we are standing on holy ground? How often do we read the Bible with an understanding that it is God’s Holy Word? How often do we apply God’s Word to our lives and allow His Holy Spirit to lead us? And how often do we as children of God take time to listen to His instructions and to His call unto service? Would it take a “burning bush” to get your attention – before you would “turn aside and see?” Or would it take a “bright light” from heaven – as it was in the case of Saul of Tarsus – before God could get your attention.
(Speaking of Saul, Acts 9:3-6 states,
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”)
Back in Exodus 3 we find that Moses asked God whom he should say sent him, as well as what he should say unto the Israelites – even unto Pharaoh – for who would believe him? We find God’s answer in Exodus 3:14,
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
Let us understand that God still provides direction and He still calls His children unto service – when we are willing to “turn aside and see” – through prayer, study of His Word and leadership from His Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16-17,
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
In Hebrews 13:8 we read,
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
He is the same “I AM” who spoke to Moses. The Lord stands waiting for you and me to turn unto Him. But, we must first be willing to “turn aside and see.”
