Encountering God's Glory: The Burning Bush Revelation
Summary
In our exploration of Moses and the burning bush, we delve into the profound theological implications of this pivotal moment in redemptive history. This encounter was not just a transformative experience for Moses but a significant event for all of humanity. As Moses tended the flock of Jethro, he witnessed a bush that burned with fire yet was not consumed. This phenomenon was not a miracle of nature but a supernatural manifestation of God's presence, known as a theophany. The fire was independent of the bush, symbolizing God's self-sustaining power and glory.
The burning bush serves as a vivid illustration of the Shekinah Glory, the visible manifestation of God's presence. Throughout biblical history, God has revealed Himself through this radiant glory at critical junctures. We see this in the covenant with Abraham, where God, through a vision of a smoking oven and a burning torch, assured Abraham of His promises. This Shekinah Glory also appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, transforming him into the Apostle Paul. Similarly, the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem witnessed this glory at the birth of Jesus, heralding the arrival of the Savior.
These encounters underscore the consistent theme of God's glory manifesting at pivotal moments, pointing to the divine presence and purpose. The Shekinah Glory is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible expression of God's holiness and majesty. It is intricately linked to the Second Person of the Trinity, God the Son, whose inherent glory is revealed throughout redemptive history. The burning bush, therefore, is not just about what was in the bush but who was in the bush—God Himself, speaking to Moses and, by extension, to all of us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Theophany and Divine Presence: The burning bush is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God's presence. It illustrates that God's glory is self-sustaining and independent of creation, symbolizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This encounter invites us to recognize God's presence in our lives, even in ordinary circumstances. [04:26]
2. Shekinah Glory in Redemptive History: The Shekinah Glory appears at critical moments in biblical history, such as with Abraham, Moses, and Paul. These manifestations reveal God's commitment to His promises and His transformative power in the lives of His people. We are reminded that God's glory is not confined to the past but continues to impact our present and future. [08:00]
3. God's Covenant Assurance: In the covenant with Abraham, God used the Shekinah Glory to assure him of His promises. This dramatic display underscores God's faithfulness and the seriousness of His commitments. It challenges us to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. [13:23]
4. Transformation through Encounter: Saul's encounter with the Shekinah Glory on the road to Damascus transformed him into the Apostle Paul. This highlights the life-changing power of encountering God's presence. It encourages us to seek and be open to God's transformative work in our lives. [17:44]
5. Christ's Inherent Glory: The Shekinah Glory is intricately linked to God the Son, whose inherent glory is revealed throughout redemptive history. This connection invites us to see Christ not just as a historical figure but as the eternal, glorious Son of God, whose presence and power are active in our lives today. [21:00]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - Introduction to Moses and the Burning Bush
- [01:04] - The Setting of the Encounter
- [01:45] - The Ordinary Bramble Bush
- [02:36] - Phenomenal Perspective of the Burning Bush
- [03:11] - The Fire Within the Bush
- [04:26] - Significance of the Unconsumed Bush
- [05:37] - Theophany and God's Manifestation
- [06:09] - Contra Naturam: Supernatural Reality
- [07:25] - Shekinah Glory in Redemptive History
- [08:38] - God's Covenant with Abraham
- [10:08] - The Life Verse: Genesis 15:17
- [12:46] - The Covenant Oath by Fire
- [15:16] - Saul's Encounter on the Road to Damascus
- [18:51] - The Shekinah Glory at Jesus' Birth
- [21:00] - The Glory of God the Son
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Moses and the Burning Bush
Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:1-6
2. Genesis 15:17
3. Acts 9:1-6
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how did he react to this sight? [01:04]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of the fire in the burning bush, and what does it signify about God's presence? [04:26]
3. What is the significance of the Shekinah Glory in the encounters of Abraham, Moses, and Saul as described in the sermon? [08:00]
4. How does the sermon explain the connection between the Shekinah Glory and the Second Person of the Trinity? [21:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the burning bush serve as a theophany, and how does this concept help us understand God's nature and presence in our lives? [05:37]
2. How does the Shekinah Glory in the covenant with Abraham demonstrate God's faithfulness and commitment to His promises? [13:23]
3. What does Saul's transformation on the road to Damascus reveal about the power of encountering God's presence? [17:44]
4. How does the sermon link the Shekinah Glory to the inherent glory of Christ, and what implications does this have for our understanding of Jesus' role in redemptive history? [21:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in an ordinary situation. How did it change your perspective or actions? [04:26]
2. The Shekinah Glory appeared at pivotal moments in biblical history. Can you identify a pivotal moment in your life where you felt God's guidance or assurance? How did it impact your faith journey? [08:00]
3. God's covenant with Abraham was marked by a dramatic display of His faithfulness. How can you remind yourself of God's promises in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [13:23]
4. Saul's encounter with the Shekinah Glory led to a profound transformation. Is there an area in your life where you are seeking transformation? How can you be open to God's work in that area? [17:44]
5. The sermon emphasizes Christ's inherent glory. How does recognizing Jesus as the eternal, glorious Son of God influence your relationship with Him today? [21:00]
6. Consider the role of theophanies in the Bible. How can you cultivate an awareness of God's presence in your everyday life, even when it doesn't come with dramatic signs? [05:37]
7. The sermon discusses the importance of God's promises. What is one promise from Scripture that you can hold onto this week, and how will you apply it to your current circumstances? [13:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Presence in the Ordinary
The burning bush is a profound theophany, a visible manifestation of God's presence, illustrating that God's glory is self-sustaining and independent of creation. This encounter invites us to recognize God's presence in our lives, even in ordinary circumstances. Just as Moses encountered God in the midst of his daily routine, we too can find God's presence in the mundane aspects of our lives. The burning bush serves as a reminder that God is always with us, and His eternal and unchanging nature is a source of comfort and strength. [04:26]
Exodus 3:2-4 (ESV): "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, 'I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.' When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.'"
Reflection: Think of a routine part of your day where you often overlook God's presence. How can you intentionally seek to recognize and invite God's presence into that moment today?
Day 2: God's Glory in Redemptive History
The Shekinah Glory appears at critical moments in biblical history, such as with Abraham, Moses, and Paul. These manifestations reveal God's commitment to His promises and His transformative power in the lives of His people. The Shekinah Glory is not confined to the past but continues to impact our present and future. It serves as a reminder that God's glory is active and present in our lives today, guiding us and fulfilling His promises. [08:00]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a moment in your life where you experienced God's transformative power. How can you remain open to His ongoing work in your life today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Covenant Promises
In the covenant with Abraham, God used the Shekinah Glory to assure him of His promises. This dramatic display underscores God's faithfulness and the seriousness of His commitments. It challenges us to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them. As we reflect on God's covenant with Abraham, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness and His ability to fulfill His promises in our lives. [13:23]
Genesis 15:17-18 (ESV): "When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.'"
Reflection: Identify a promise from God that you are struggling to trust. What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in His faithfulness?
Day 4: Embracing Transformation through Divine Encounter
Saul's encounter with the Shekinah Glory on the road to Damascus transformed him into the Apostle Paul. This highlights the life-changing power of encountering God's presence. It encourages us to seek and be open to God's transformative work in our lives. Just as Saul's life was radically changed, we too can experience transformation when we encounter God's presence and allow Him to work in our lives. [17:44]
Acts 9:3-6 (ESV): "Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'"
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you desire transformation. How can you invite God's presence into that area and be open to His transformative work?
Day 5: Seeing Christ's Glory in Our Lives
The Shekinah Glory is intricately linked to God the Son, whose inherent glory is revealed throughout redemptive history. This connection invites us to see Christ not just as a historical figure but as the eternal, glorious Son of God, whose presence and power are active in our lives today. As we reflect on the glory of Christ, we are encouraged to recognize His presence and power in our daily lives, guiding us and transforming us into His likeness. [21:00]
Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV): "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How can you actively seek to see and experience Christ's glory in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him today?
Quotes
"Now, according to Jewish tradition, this area of the desert is populated by the most common of bushes that were bramble bushes, and the assumption of the Jewish historians was that this particular bush was a simple, ordinary bramble bush of no great significance in itself. And, when this experience occurred to Moses, the first thing I think we have to understand is that there was nothing at all supernatural about this bush." [00:01:45]
"And, it's not like there was a miracle performed where God caused a bush to burn that could burn forever without losing any of its substance from the burning process. And here's one of those occasions when we read the Scripture, that the words that we read in there can be a little bit misleading, because, Moses is describing this experience from what we call a phenomenal logical perspective, that is, he tells about it from what it looked like." [00:02:36]
"Now, what does that mean and what's the significance of that? Well, it indicates that the fire that Moses saw was independent of the bush. It was not using the bush for its fuel. That's why it wasn't consumed. The fire that Moses saw was burning from its own power. It was generated from itself and not from a conflagration of the bush." [00:04:26]
"So what we have here, clearly, is a biblical example of what we call 'theophany.' And, the word 'theophany' means -- we have the first part of the word, 'theo' that comes from the word 'theos' for God. And, the second part, 'phany,' it comes from which 'phaneo' which means to make manifest. The God that we worship is a spirit." [00:05:37]
"Usually, the phrase 'contra naturam' is used to describe what we call 'the miraculous.' I'm not convinced that this was necessarily a miracle that he was witnessing, but it was a supernatural reality. And what he was seeing, plain and simple, in this fire was a visible manifestation of the Glory of God." [00:06:09]
"We hear in the Bible about the outward appearance of God's Glory, and we call that the 'Shekinah Glory.' The Glory that is refulgent. The Glory that radiates from the very being of God that is so powerful and so majestic that it overwhelms anyone who ever comes in contact with it." [00:07:25]
"Where in Genesis, we find the record of God speaking to Abraham and making the promise to him there that he will be the father of a great nation. Remember that Abraham was called by God, and he said, 'I will be your shield and your very great reward,' and Abraham said, 'What reward can you give me?'" [00:08:38]
"In this text is the cutting right of a covenant where God is demonstrating to Abraham through this vision of fire, of a torch, a burning oven that passes between the pieces. And that is the vision of the Shekinah. That's God in this dream moving between the pieces of these animals that have been cut in half, and what God is saying dramatically to Abraham, 'Abraham, how can you know that I'm going to do what I say I'm going to do to you?'" [00:12:46]
"Now here we have Abraham and Moses both having this experience of encountering the Shekinah Glory of God in this fire that changes their lives. Go fast forward to the New Testament, and we go to the book of Acts where the Apostle Paul has his experience of conversion on the road to Damascus." [00:15:16]
"When he later recalls this before Agrippa, he adds 'A great light. Brighter than the noonday sun. A blinding light, which was seen not only by Saul but those who were in his entourage.' 'And he fell to the ground, and he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'" [00:17:44]
"Strangely enough, the Shekinah Glory wasn't in the cave. It wasn't in the manger. It wasn't with Mary and Joseph. It was like it appeared to a bramble bush out in the fields outside of Bethlehem where the shepherds were there tending their sheep. And we read in the Christmas narrative by Luke that the Glory of God shown around about them." [00:18:51]
"That whenever God appears in theophany with the Shekinah Glory, it's not just God the Father we're dealing with here, as I hope we will see at our next time together that ultimately what is being displayed is the Glory inherent of God the Son from all eternity. So, it's not so much what was in that bush; it's who was in that bush." [00:21:00]
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