Finding Yourself & God In The Burning Light Of Divine Pronouncement Series

Have you ever heard of someone trying to “find himself or herself”? They might quit their job and travel the world in an effort to figure out their core values and their purpose on earth. As we continue the sermon series “Moses: Made for More” we’ll see how the burning bush incident sheds light on the age-old questions: “Who am I?” and “Who is God?”

“Who am I?” That was a question Moses must have asked often. “Am I Hebrew or Egyptian? Am I slave or royalty?” The cause of confusion was that, although Moses had been born to Hebrew slaves, he had been adopted by the princess of Egypt after she found him floating in that basket in the Nile River.

By the time Moses turned 40, he believed he had the answer to who he was. He thought he was to be the leader, dare I say savior of his people the Israelites. He made his bid as Israelite liberator when he killed one of the many Egyptian slave drivers who was making life miserable for his people. But while Moses was certain of who he was, the Israelites, whom he had hoped to rescue, were not. When Moses later tried intervening between two quarrelling Israelites, one of the men turned on him and challenged: “Who are you? Are you going to kill me like you killed that Egyptian?” (Exodus 2:14)

Terrified that his secret was out, Moses fled to the wilderness of Midian where he lived as a shepherd for the next 40 years. You can be sure that during that time the age-old question came back to haunt Moses: “Who am I?” Now a few not-so-flattering descriptions seemed to fit. Who was Moses? He was a political failure, a murderer, and now an outcast.

An encounter with a burning bush, however, would challenge these perceptions. With his father-in-law’s sheep in tow, Moses ascended the highlands of Horeb to look for green pasture. What he found was a bush fire. What caught his attention was that the bush didn’t seem to disintegrate in the flames. When Moses moved closer to investigate, a voice spoke from within the fire. “Moses! Stop right there and take off your sandals. You’re on holy ground. I am the God of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Exodus 3:3, 5) Upon hearing the voice of God, Moses thought he had at least one more answer to the question: “Who am I?” As he averted his gaze afraid to look at the holy God, Moses thought: “I’m a dead man! God has finally caught up with me to punish me for the murder I committed in Egypt!”

But God had not come to destroy Moses. Instead, God announced: “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10b) “You want ME to do WHAT?!?” exclaimed Moses. “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) In addition to being a political failure, a murderer, and an outcast, Moses may have figured he was over-the-hill and well past the prime of his life to be a leader. Seriously, what kind of confidence could an 80-year-old shepherd instill in the Israelites when he announced to them that he had been handpicked by God to be the one to rescue them from slavery? If you are caught on the second floor of your house in a raging fire, would you want your 80-year-old neighbor to attempt your rescue, or a younger, fitter firefighter dressed in all his gear with the proper equipment? The answer is obvious, isn’t it? And so wouldn’t God have done better to find a strapping young warrior-type and equipping him with an army for the rescue of his people from Egypt, than calling Moses?

God obviously didn’t think so. And here is the crux of our devotion. It didn’t matter who Moses was. Moses could have been a cripple. He could have been blind. He could have been a child. What was important is who God is. God explained as much when he said to Moses: “I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12)

“That’s great, God” Moses seemed to think, “But who are you?!?” Well, God had already answered that question with the pronouncement: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6) Like a looming stranger who bends down to a child and says, “I knew your father,” God was establishing a connection with Moses. In essence he was saying, “You may not know me fully, Moses, but your fathers did. They trusted me and I never let them down. Nor will I ever let you down.” (Mark Paustin – paraphrased)

Still, Moses hesitated and challenged: “But what if the Israelites ask for your name? Who should I say sent me?” God responded: “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14a) To paraphrase, God was saying: “Before you and I are through, Moses, Israel will come to know me better than they ever imagined. (Paustin) Who I am will be revealed more clearly with every miracle I do for Israel and every pronouncement I make.” (Reed Lessing) It’s like how your future son-in-law might answer your queries about him. “Who am I? Well, let me show you.” If he then proceeds to make a gourmet meal unlike anything you’ve tasted before, you’ll have your answer. “Ah, you’re a talented chef who enjoys making others happy!”