Theme of the Week: Exodus
Bible Verse: “‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing is holy ground.’” Exodus 3:5
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-6
My first college experience was tailor-made for me. Nestled in a valley between two mountains, on the edge of thousands of acres of national forest, Montana Wilderness School of the Bible was the perfect place for me. The “Bible” part was fine, but it is not what drew me. The thought of spending a year in the “wilderness” spoke to a deep and fundamental part of how I thought of myself.
I expected camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, rock and ice climbing, caving, wildlife, brilliant sunrises and sets, and tongue-tying scenery. I was not disappointed. What I did not expect, having come from a Christian home and knowing God and the Bible reasonably well (or so I thought, even if I didn’t exactly live like it), was to meet God. But meet Him, I certainly did. On multiple memorable occasions, it felt as though I was standing, quite literally, in His presence. On a mountain top, God seems to like mountains for revealing Himself, I got to meet God, and I went away changed.
No burning bushes, gentle breezes (there was plenty of wind!), or angelic appearances, just a deep and authentic perception that the God I believed in (though I did not know Him well) was real.
Meeting God is a fundamentally formative experience. You cannot encounter the God of the universe (even if you don’t know that’s who it is) and leave the same person you were. I didn’t. Neither did Moses.
Moses was a baby who escaped the horrifying edict of the king of Egypt. Ironically, he became part of the king’s family (adopted by his daughter). If any story of Scripture ever suggested that God has a sense of humor, it’s the story of Moses—a baby the king wanted killed, instead lives a life of pampered luxury within the king’s household!
On a mountain, with a mountain of history behind him, Moses encounters God in the form of a fiery bush that doesn’t burn up. Inching closer to see this strange sight, he hears a voice tell him that the place is holy. It is holy because God is there. The presence of God sanctifies a place so that it must be treated with respect. Propriety is assumed when one encounters God. In this case, God tells Moses to take off his sandals to show proper respect and deference to God.
When Moses learns who the God speaking to him is, he hides his face (assuming that he has already removed his shoes). Standing in the presence of God is no light matter. Moses sees the representation of God, hears His voice, and is afraid.
God does not tell him not to be afraid (though that appears in other visitation stories). In the following verses, God tells Moses why He has appeared and what He is about to do. We’re going to look at that tomorrow. Today, it is essential to remember that encountering God means encountering the holy, which requires a response.
God got my attention on mountain tops in Montana, and I came away changed. You don’t need a mountain to meet God. He is found when we seek Him, but we must be ready for what that encounter may mean. A holy God changes us. Has he changed you?
Prayer: Holy God, the places you meet us become holy places in our lives. Thank you for coming down to find us where we are. Help us to leave our encounters with you changed men—men who know you better and live more freely and fully for you. Amen.
Reflection: Have you encountered God? Remember what it was like when you first met God or had a significant moment with Him. How have you changed?
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