The Removing Of The Shoes

The Removing of the Shoes

Ex 3:1-6

ODC Aug 04

Ex 3:1-6

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 Suddenly, the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn’t burn up. 3 "Amazing!" Moses said to himself. "Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go over to see this."

4 When the LORD saw that he had caught Moses’ attention, God called to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!"

"Here I am!" Moses replied.

5 "Do not come any closer," God told him. "Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your ancestors--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." When Moses heard this, he hid his face in his hands because he was afraid to look at God. NLT

Joke: Children of Moses : A hurricane had struck. People were huddled together. A preacher was praying with great oratorical effects in the midst of this violent storm, crying out "Send us the spirit of the children of Israel, the children of Moses, the children of the Promised land." At this, an old man with less oratory but more directness prayed, "Lord, don’t send nobody. Come yourself. This ain’t no time for children.

We all believe and wants God to do move mightily among us. As we prepare our hearts for a great encounter with the Lord, he will honor our humility and bless our walk.

Moses was in the wilderness and experienced a great encounter with God. In the process, he felt inclined to remove his shoes.

We have seen from the beginning of time God’s desire to have relationship with man.

• The Garden of Eden

• God’s Promise to Abraham

• God Giving the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai

• Sending of His Son Jesus Christ.

• Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Many times man has responded by taken that incredible opportunity and exploiting it for His own gain.

• Sons of God and Daughters of Man

• Tower of Babel

• The constant worshiping of Idols to Baal and Asheroth

• The sacrificing of children to Molech

• Sodom and Gomorrah

• Temple Prostitution and Corruption

God has been forced to counter this reckless response by man to His Mercy and Grace

• Removal from the Garden

• Scattering of the Tribes and languages

• The Flood

• Fires, Earthquakes, and Enemy Armies all used to bring God’s purging of mans abominable actions.

This cycle takes place over and over in scripture. If we were to examine our lives we would see this same cycle in each one of our lives.

There are three things that needed to take place for God to be able to fully pour himself into our lives.

1) Step out of the comfort his own shoes Ex 3:5

Before God would interact with Him, Moses had to step out of His shoes because he was standing on Holy Ground.

By taking off his shoes he was doing a couple of things:

• He was yielding His foundation to God

2 Cor 3:4-6 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. 5 It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. 6 He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life.

• He was exposing himself completely to God

We must learn to open our life and heart completely to God.

God knows exactly who we are, every aspect of our living. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Ps 69:5 O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. NLT

• Step of out of his resources into God’s

Prov 3:5-10 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

the LORD and turn your back on evil. 8 Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.NLT

2) Step out of the shame of his own past.