READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l It was a turning point for Moses, when God called on him to deliver God’s people from slavery in Egypt.
Preparation (Exo 2)
God had prepared Moses for this. Moses was divinely saved and raised by the princess of Egypt and had received Egyptian royal training and education. But Moses had taken matters into his own hands and killed an Egyptian, for beating a Hebrew slave. As a result, he had to flee Egypt to go to Midian. Moses became a foreigner in a foreign land. He spent 40 years as a shepherd in Midian.
God called Moses when he was 80 years old! The long years as a shepherd was almost a way of humbling, shaping and preparing him. He had fallen from power, as a prince in Egypt, to a humble unknown shepherd. But God was not done with Moses, until God’s purposes were accomplished in Moses. How is God moulding and preparing us? God can also use each of our experiences and abilities for His assignments.
A divine disruption (Exo 3:1-4)
At Mount Horeb, Moses encountered a burning bush that did not burn out. Moses went, off the normal path, to see this strange sight. It led him to an encounter with the divine. Burning bushes are God’s divine disruptions in our lives. We may not like being disrupted, because it takes us out of our normal paths. But sometimes God’s disruptions are divine. They are opportunities for God’s divine call.
A discipleship lesson is not to ignore the burning bush in our lives. We need to pay attention to these divine disruptions. It may be a call from God, for us to take heed, to lead us to repentance, jolt us out of complacency or bring us back into alignment with God.
An exceptional Caller (Exo 3:4-5)
In the Old Testament, the glory of God often shows up in the form of fire. The burning bush is an icon of God’s awesome and mysterious presence. Like a fire which cannot be consumed, God lasts forever. God spoke with an affectionate intent emphasis, when giving the assignment to Moses. Moses was told to take off his sandals, as he was standing on holy ground. Moses recognised that he was in the presence of an exceptional caller; and hid his face as he was afraid to look at God.
A discipleship lesson is not to be fixated on our calling, but to revere the Caller. The assignment itself pales in comparison with the person who is calling. God, our Caller, is far greater than our calling. Will we “take off our shoes” and worship the One who calls?
A profound assurance (Exo 3: 4-17)
God’s assignment was not easy. Moses had grave concerns about who he was, what he should say, what if they rejected him and what if he did not have what it takes to carry out the assignment.
On being unqualified, God assured Moses of His presence. On not knowing what to say, God told Moses to say that he had been sent by the person of God. The “I am who I am” of every time, place and circumstance. God is self-revealing, caring, promise-keeping, foreknowing, almighty, transforming and would empower Moses. Today, may we also rest in the great “I Am”.
On concerns that he would be rejected, God reassured Moses of His miraculous power. Moses was given three signs — the snake, leprosy and River Nile. These struck at the realities in Egyptian religion and life. Moses was reminded to focus on God’s power to confound the realities of the world that he was to minister. As we seek to live out God’s calling for us, we too will be up against the realities of this world. But realise that God is mighty enough to confound those realities, in ways that we cannot even imagine. We need not be afraid, when we stand in the power of God.
On concerns that he lacked what it takes; God assured Moses of His provision. God would teach Moses what to say and send Aaron to help. Today, who are the “Aarons” in our life that God had provided for us? Finally, Moses obeyed and went to his father-in-law Jethro to ask for permission to return to Egypt. Moses had encountered the burning bush, received the call, accepted the assurances and was now compelled to go forth in obedience.
Today, will we also trust God’s assurances and respond in obedience? Our lack of ability does not define us, our obedience does. We can rest in God’s profound assurance. It is not about our qualifications, but about God’s presence. It is never about our lack of knowledge; it is about God’s person. When we question our effectiveness, we must rest in God’s power.
What is the call of the burning bush for you?
As we respond in obedience to the call, God will grant us the strength we need. Let us come back to God’s refreshing love, trust the Lord with our heart and know that He is there with us. We all have burning bushes in our lives. Will we pay attention and be faithful and obedient?
The Lord knows our heart and sees our struggles. He will surprise us with joy and “Aarons” in our life; with the little miracles we need, that go against the realities of this world. Will we go and be His hands and feet, as we fulfil the assignment God has for us? Today, if God gives us the call from the burning bush, may we have the grace to say yes, I trust you and will obey.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. Read Exodus 3:1-14 - Recall Sermon
a. Why was the burning bush a disruption for Moses? How can we view disruptions as divine?
b. How did God reveal His holiness in the way Moses encountered him? Why is it so important to acknowledge the nature of God the Caller?
c. What were the concerns and objections of Moses? How do you identify with them?
d. How did God assure Moses? How have you been assured by God in the past when He has called you? Give thanks for His faithfulness. - Relate Personally
a. What is it about the message that really spoke to you?
b. What is one discipleship lesson gleaned from the sermon? - Commit to Action
a. In what ways is God calling you to act in response to the message?
b. What steps will you take this week to apply the lessons learned from the sermon?
