JESUS and the Burning Bush (Ex.1-4)

Israel (Jacob) and his family found themselves in Egypt because the Pharaoh had put Joseph in charge of the plan that would get Egypt through the 7 year drought.  The Hebrews (Israelites) settle there, and over several hundred years, they increase in population and strength; so that eventually a Pharaoh comes along who fears them and makes them slaves.  As well, he orders the midwives to kill all Hebrew babies during the birthing process.

Moses is born and the Pharaoh's daughter finds him floating down the Nile in a basket and decides to raise him as her own.  While his mother is able to be his nursemaid, I'm sure she's whispering history lessons in his ear about his heritage and the Abrahamic covenant.  So then, as a grown man, after witnessing the hard labor of his people, in anger, he kills an Egyptian guard who was beating a Hebrew man.  This does not score him points with either the Pharaoh or his own people.  He escapes into the wilderness and finds a life in Midian.

Meanwhile, God hears the Iraelite's cries for help, and has not forgotten His covenant with Abraham.  God has a plan to deliver them from Egypt which will make the world take notice that there is a mighty God.  And this plan begins with THE angel of the LORD (Jesus of the Old Testament) appearing to Moses in the burning bush... (Interesting note - He appears as a fire - like the Light of the world that He is - a light which should draw our attention to Him - a light to expose our weaknesses - a light to follow!)

          (Exodus 3:1-2)  Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.

Moses tries to give many excuses why he cannot do what God wants him to do, even after God shows Moses several miracles to demonstrate how His power would be with him.  How typical is that???  We see God getting angry with Moses... and I'm thinking... "Moses!!!  Come on.  Get with it!!!"  But how often do we not trust God to help us accomplish what we should be doing?  How often do we limit God's power in our own minds... meanwhile, God's powers are beyond anything we could ever imagine.

          (Hebrews 13:20-21) Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.