Sabbath, February 17 – Exodus 3, 4 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 22, “Moses”

1. Where did the Angel of the Lord appear to Moses? Exodus 3:1,2

2. In what specific place did the Angel of the Lord appear? Exodus 3:2

3. What name for Himself did God give Moses to present to the children of Israel? Exodus 3:14

4. What signs did God give Moses? Exodus 4:1-8

5. Who did God appoint to help Moses communicate? Exodus 4:14,15

A bush isn’t a beautiful, large, or useful tree. It’s not found in gardens, pots, or vases. It’s not appreciated or cultivated. God chose a common and graceless shrub to appear to Moses, illustrating that the value isn’t in the instrument but in God’s presence. The bush without the divine flame would have been like any other common shrub or weed. God’s presence made the bush different and exceptional.

The bush also represents Jesus. In His physical appearance, without notable attractiveness, burns the flame that reveals the great I Am.

Yahweh put the fire in the bush because He felt compassion for His people,

⁷ And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. Exodus 3:7

In the presence of God revealed in Jesus, in the living testimony of His followers, or in God’s plan of deliverance for His people, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

“On the way from Midian, Moses received a startling and terrible warning of the Lord’s displeasure. An angel appeared to him in a threatening manner, as if he would immediately destroy him. No explanation was given; but Moses remembered that he had disregarded one of God’s requirements; yielding to the persuasion of his wife, he had neglected to perform the rite of circumcision upon their youngest son. He had failed to comply with the condition by which his child could be entitled to the blessings of God’s covenant with Israel; and such a neglect on the part of their chosen leader could not but lessen the force of the divine precepts upon the people. Zipporah, fearing that her husband would be slain, performed the rite herself, and the angel then permitted Moses to pursue his journey. In his mission to Pharaoh, Moses was to be placed in a position of great peril; his life could be preserved only through the protection of holy angels. But while living in neglect of a known duty, he would not be secure; for he could not be shielded by the angels of God.” Patriarchs and Prophets 255

“Some have thought that Moses passed through an experience like Jacob’s at Peniel (Gen. 32: 24-32). Others have suggested that a sudden and severe illness came upon him, which he and Zipporah recognized as a punishment from God for neglecting His instructions. In reality, an angel appeared to Moses in a threatening manner, as if he had attempted to kill him (Patriarchs and Prophets 261).” Andrews Study Bible, Exodus 4:24

“In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the righteous will be preserved through the ministration of heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgressor of God’s law. Angels cannot then protect those who are disregarding one of the divine precepts.” Patriarchs and Prophets 256

May the flame of the divine presence burn in your life today.

May God grant you a very blessed day.