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Topic: Rest (06/14/04)
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TITLE: Sometimes It Takes A Burning Bush By Emory May 06/21/04 |
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“I must turn aside and see this thing,” Moses said to Aaron. “Tell Zipporah I will be home shortly.”
Moses turned away from the path and climbed the slow rise towards the bright light on the darkening hillside. It was a burning bush! The fire was not consuming the plant but the flames licked from the ground to the crown of the bush. He stood a short distance from it, never having seen a sight such as this, when a clear penetrating voice, spoke to him.
“Moses,” the voice said with authority, “Take off your sandals for where you are standing is Holy Ground.”
The shepherd realized then, that it was a Being, who knew him by name. He remembered the stories his nanny had taught him when he was a child, growing up in an Egyptian palace. She had talked of a God, who had led a man named Abraham to a land, and promised him that his descendents would possess it forever. She also said that most of the slaves, being held by Egypt were descended from the man called Abraham. Moses had heard all of these stories but they had been only stories to him, like so many he had heard of Ra and all of the gods of the land of his birth.
Slowly, he removed his sandals and moved a little closer to the bush when the voice spoke again, “I am the God of your fathers, the God of your ancestors.”
Moses quickly wrapped his face in his mantle because he could not look upon the bush any longer and he was afraid what this strange God might do to him.
“I have seen the affliction of my people and I have come to deliver them from the power which now holds them as slaves. I want to lead them to a land which flows with milk and honey and a land that will be theirs for all of time,” the voice continued.
Moses dropped the mantle enough that he could see the bush and thought, “Who am I that He should be telling me this?”
God spoke again in His unforgettable voice, “Moses, I want you to lead my people to the land of promise that I gave to their fathers.”
Moses argued for a few minutes but for the next forty years, he often recalled that moment, for there were times he wanted to quit. He was often frustrated with the people, grew tired of their constant complaining and over that period of time, he watched every one but two over the age of twenty, die and be buried beneath the sand of the Sinai desert.
The shepherd turned deliverer had grown old, but had not deteriorated with age when God spoke again, as He so often did, “Moses, I have something I want to show you, so come go with me, one last time.”
Moses and God journeyed from the throngs of Israelites and climbed a high mountain called Pisgah. From there he could see the land of promise, stretching into the distance, with the great city of Jericho just across the river. All of this had been promised to Abraham’s descendents whom Moses had led from Egypt. It would be their home for all of time.
“Moses it’s time for you to come home. You have done your task and done with well. For you and others who follow in faith, I have prepared a place. A place where there is no more sickness, sorrow or pain. A place where you and I will meet every day and fellowship; A place where you will meet all of the giants of faith who have gone before you and you will be comforted in the arms of the one who delivered Israel and you. Enter now into my presence.”
Moses lay down, pulled his mantle over his face, as a tower of fire hovered over him and Moses joined his God in His Rest.