Theological Commentary: Click Here
Today we get
to continue the story of Moses with the burning bush. I love this story because it shows us the
natural curiosity of Moses. Here is a
bush that won’t burn. Logically
speaking, Moses should run away. This is
something clearly beyond his capacity to understand and his capability to
imitate. Logically, he should head the
other way without looking back. But his
curiosity is stronger than his logic.
God uses Moses’ curiosity to open a door that logic could not open.
When Moses
arrives at the bush, we get an opportunity to relearn a very important
lesson. The presence of God is
significant. It isn’t the burning bush
that is holy. It isn’t the piece of
ground that is sacred. We don’t see
these acres of ground venerated again in the Bible in remembrance. The ground is holy because the presence of
God is within it. God’s presence changes
the nature of things from mundane to holy.
This is true about us as people, too.
Look also to
the exchange between Moses and God. Do
you hear how Moses speaks? Moses distinctly
uses the word “if.” He is not entirely
sold on the idea that God is setting before him. However, God is okay with this. God has no trouble with Moses warming up to
the idea. Once more we see that God is
patient with us. God knows that we
cannot see what He sees and we cannot know what He knows. Yet, even in our doubt and slowness in
understanding He still works with us. He
wants us to be a part of His plan. He
wants to include us in His work.
Finally, let’s
take a look at the famous “I am who I am” passage. This could also be translated as “I am what I
am” or even “I will be what I will be.”
What is the point of all of this?
God’s character does not change.
God may change His plan. God may
allow us to affect how He does things in the world. God may give us a choice as to how to
participate in His work. However, God
does not change who He is. His character is the same yesterday, today, and
tomorrow. He is reliable. He is trustworthy.
There is a
consistent theme running through this passage.
The ground where God happens to be is made holy because of God’s
constant presence. Moses is curious and growing,
but God’s nature is constant. Moses is
cautious about committing, but God’s nature is constant. God knows what He is doing and how He will
get humanity to where He needs us to go.
His methods may be flexible, but His character is true.
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