The Burning Bush!

Previous: A Prince of Egypt

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This is Day 12 of my 40 day Lenten Blog.

Moses had fled to the land Midian after murdering an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave. There, he had married, had a son, and became a shepherd. Moses was content.

One day while keeping the flock on Horeb, the mountain of God, Moses noticed a bush that was burning but was never consumed. God spoke to him from the bush telling him that he had heard the cries of His people who were slaves in Egypt, and that He was going to deliver them out of Egypt and give them a land "flowing with milk and honey."

God then told him that He would send Moses to see Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt. You can imagine Moses' reaction. It was basically, "What?!?" Moses asked God, "Who am I to do this?" And God replied that Moses should not fear as the Lord would always be with him.

Then Moses asked the Lord, "But what if I go and tell the Israelites that You spoke to me and they don't believe me and are like, well, 'if you spoke to God then tell us, what's His name'?" And the Lord replied, "I AM WHO I AM. Tell them 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Moses was understandably hesitant about going to see Pharaoh and demanding all of the Hebrew slaves be set free. He also didn't think himself up to the task. Honestly, who would? I certainly wouldn't want to plead such a case in front of a man who could have me executed. So Moses begged God to pick someone else for the job. He explained to the Lord that he was not a very good speaker, and that God should choose someone who was more eloquent.

Now, it seems funny telling God He's made a mistake and has the wrong guy, but then I do that kind of thing all the time, saying: "Lord, surely there is someone better for this. More qualified or capable." But the Lord reminded Moses that He was the one who gave people speech and let them hear and see and everything else.

However, to calm Moses, God also promised to send Moses' brother Aaron to speak for him as Aaron could speak well. Further, the Lord gave Moses a rod with which he would be able to do miraculous signs and wonders. So Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh.

Next: Let My People Go!

R.C. VanLandingham is a Catholic homeschool dad just trying to make it through this life and into the next! He has written a Christian children's fantasy series about a boy named Peter Puckett!