The Voice in the Burning Bush

By Mary Vee
Exodus 3:5-14

A bush was on fire--in the middle of the desert, with nothing else burning around it.  I couldn't help myself, I had to see what caused the fire. 

I'd left the flock resting by the brook, back around the bend, to look for more pastureland. They'd sleep for a while which would free me to walk a little ways.  The heat from the fire warmed my face. 

There weren't signs of anyone camping nearby.  No pots, piles of bramble for kindling, or waste.  Why did the bush burn?

As I took another step forward a voice called to me.  "Moses. Moses!"

Honestly, I didn't know what to say other than, "Here I am."  My feet froze in the scorching sand.

Once again, I checked to see who could have called.  I saw no one. The voice must have come from the burning bush.  I took another step forward.  "Moses, don't walk near to this bush.  Where you are standing is holy ground."  Without thinking, my body jumped back two steps. 

Who spoke to me?  I squinted to get a clearer view of the inside of the bush.  "Moses, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob."  My heart pounded blood into my head.  I could barely breath.  God, Himself spoke to me! I was afraid I would die.  I needed to hide but there was nowhere in the open desert to go.

I wrapped my arm around my head and sank to my knees. "Moses, I've seen the terrible things happening to My people who are in Egypt, and have heard theri cries.  Each day the taskmasters bring pain and sorrow to them.  I've come to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring My people to a land flowing with milk and honey."

This was great news.  The people would be set free!  I kept my head low and listened.  "Moses, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I've seen their sorrows which the Egyptian cause.  I will send you to Pharaoh to bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

Me?  God wanted me to go back to Egypt and to speak to Pharaoh.  I can't do this.  I-- "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 

I scrinched lower to the ground.  How could I?  I don't have power, or the ability to convince Pharaoh to let all those people go.  Why me? 

"Moses, I will be with you. Trust me.  I will be with you.  Here is how you will know that I've sent you: when you bring My people out of Egypt you will serve me on this mountain."

I felt weak.  "If and when I go to the children of Israel and tell them 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say 'What is His name?' What should I say to them?"

I didn't have to wait a second for the answer.  "I AM who I AM. You will say to the children of Israel, 'I AM' has sent me to you."

*****
What do you think Moses was feeling?
Why did he go to the burning bush?
What did God want Moses to do?

The Burning Bush

By Mary Vee
Exodus 3:1-4

"Zipporah, I'm taking the flock toward the back side of the desert.  I think there might be fresh pasture there."

"Moses, my husband, do you realize how proud my father is to have you in our family?"

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Moses smiled. "It's the first time someone's been proud of my work. When I lived in the palace, I had all these rules to follow like: what clothes to wear, what to eat, where to go and when I could go there. My days were filled with classes and training sessions.  I'm glad I don't have to go back.  I like living here."

"Do you, really?"

Moses hugged his wife. "Yes, I really do.  Look, I need to go before the sun scorches the earth."

"See you tomorrow." Zipporah waved and walked back into her tent. 

Sunrise colors painted the morning sky. Moses led the flock out of the fold and into the desert. "Looks like a hot day today, my little friends.  Hot enough to start a fire."  Several sheep answered back with bleating.

Along the way Moses found scrub plants splattered here and there.  He hurried the sheep along. They followed his call and sped up.  After a few hours, Moses reached the back side of the desert. 

"Look! The pasture is better than I thought.  Come, my furry friends, eat as much as you want."  The sheep followed him to the lush grasses.  Moses laughed.  "No pushing.  There's plenty for all of you!" 

He plopped down on a soft patch of grass near a shade tree and rested.  A few whisps of cloud floated by in the sky.  He sighed then reached out to a lamb.  "Hey little fella.  You're fine.  I'll take care of you."  The lamb nuzzled close.

Not much later the sheep settled in the soft grass. A few napped.  Moses took a few steps away and noticed a brook.  He let the sheep rest for a short while then called to them.  The flock followed him to the brook where they took a drink.  Once again the flock settled down on the grass.  Most fell asleep. 

Moses found a rock near the water's edge where he could dip his feet in the cool water while keep an eye on the sheep.  The same lamb cuddled close to his leg. "We found a nice place, didn't we."  The little lamb bleated.

After eating his supper, Moses walked a ways.  Further up a path he noticed an unusual bush.  He took a few steps closer.  The bush was not unusual, it was on fire.  Moses rubbed his eyes.  Do my eyes play tricks on me?  That bush is on fire, but it isn't burning.

He walked closer.  "Why isn't the bush burning?"  He stared at the bush.  "What is making the fire?''

He stepped near enough that the flames felt warm on his skin.

"Moses. Moses."

Moses jumped back. He looked to his left then his right.  No one was near him.  Who said that?  He looked closer and realized the voice came from the bush.  Moses tipped his head to the side. "Here I am."

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Who called Moses? 
Why was the bush on fire?
What was Moses doing on the backside of the desert?

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