Transformative Encounters: Lessons from Moses and the Burning Bush

 

Summary

In the story of Moses and the burning bush, we find a profound lesson about divine encounters and the transformative power of God. Moses, once a prince of Egypt, found himself in the wilderness tending sheep for 40 years after a grave misstep. This period of isolation and humility was not a sign of God's abandonment but rather a preparation for a divine encounter. Many of us may find ourselves in similar wilderness experiences, feeling stuck in routines and longing for a fresh encounter with God. The good news is that God has not forgotten us, just as He did not forget Moses.

Moses' encounter with God began with a contradiction—a bush that burned but was not consumed. This unusual sight captured Moses' attention and prompted him to investigate further. It was only when Moses turned aside to look that God called out to him. This teaches us that God often uses contradictions in our lives to draw us closer to Him. When we respond to these divine interruptions, we position ourselves for a deeper revelation of God's presence.

God's instruction to Moses to remove his sandals was a call to holiness. It signified the need to acknowledge and repent of sin before approaching the divine. Holiness is about separation from sin and dedication to God. Without this willingness to confront our sin, we cannot fully experience God's presence.

God revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am That I Am," emphasizing His self-sufficiency and eternal nature. This name assured Moses that God was all he needed to face the challenges ahead. In our own lives, recognizing God as the ultimate source of strength and provision is crucial. We must seek not only His power but also His presence, understanding that a true encounter with God involves a personal relationship with Him.

As we seek encounters with God, let us be attentive to the contradictions in our lives, respond to His call, and pursue holiness. In doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of the great "I Am."

Key Takeaways:

1. Divine Preparation in the Wilderness: Just as Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before encountering God, our periods of waiting and isolation can be times of preparation for a divine encounter. These moments are not signs of abandonment but opportunities for growth and readiness for God's call. [02:17]

2. Recognizing Divine Contradictions: Moses' attention was captured by a burning bush that was not consumed. God often uses contradictions in our lives to draw us closer to Him. When we notice these divine interruptions, we should investigate further, as they may lead to a deeper revelation of God's presence. [06:20]

3. The Call to Holiness: God's instruction to Moses to remove his sandals signifies the need for holiness and repentance before approaching Him. Holiness involves separating ourselves from sin and dedicating ourselves to God. Without this willingness, we cannot fully experience God's presence. [10:47]

4. Understanding God's Self-Sufficiency: God revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am That I Am," highlighting His self-sufficiency and eternal nature. This assurance reminds us that God is all we need to face life's challenges. Recognizing Him as our ultimate source of strength and provision is crucial. [18:35]

5. Pursuing a Personal Relationship with God: Many seek God's power without desiring a personal relationship with Him. A true encounter with God involves pursuing His presence and understanding that He is both powerful and personal. This relationship is foundational to experiencing His transformative power. [21:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:23] - Moses' Background and Misstep
- [02:17] - Wilderness as Preparation
- [03:09] - Hope in the Wilderness
- [03:56] - Positioning for an Encounter
- [05:30] - The Burning Bush
- [06:20] - Recognizing Contradictions
- [07:11] - Responding to God's Call
- [08:53] - Hearing God's Personal Word
- [09:51] - Being in God's Presence
- [10:47] - The Call to Holiness
- [12:36] - Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Encounters
- [13:30] - God's Unchanging Plan
- [14:27] - Encountering the Person, Not Just the Program
- [18:35] - Understanding "I Am That I Am"
- [21:14] - Pursuing God's Presence

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Exodus 3:1-15 - The story of Moses and the burning bush.
2. Matthew 5:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
3. Hebrews 12:14 - "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush, and how long had he been in the wilderness? [01:23]
2. What was unusual about the burning bush that caught Moses' attention? [06:20]
3. How did God identify Himself to Moses, and what significance does this name hold? [18:35]
4. What instruction did God give Moses regarding his sandals, and what did this signify? [10:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might Moses' 40 years in the wilderness have prepared him for his encounter with God? [02:17]
2. In what ways do contradictions in our lives serve as potential divine encounters, as seen in Moses' experience with the burning bush? [06:20]
3. What does the call to remove sandals symbolize in terms of approaching God, and how does this relate to the concept of holiness? [10:47]
4. How does understanding God as "I Am That I Am" provide assurance and strength in facing life's challenges? [18:35]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in a "wilderness" period. How might this have been a time of preparation for a future encounter with God? [03:09]
2. Have you ever experienced a "contradiction" in your life that led you to a deeper understanding of God's presence? How did you respond to it? [06:20]
3. What steps can you take to pursue holiness in your daily life, acknowledging and repenting of sin as Moses did by removing his sandals? [10:47]
4. How can you cultivate a personal relationship with God, seeking not just His power but His presence in your life? [21:14]
5. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's self-sufficiency and eternal nature when facing challenges? How does this understanding impact your faith? [18:35]
6. Identify a routine or mundane aspect of your life that God might be using to prepare you for something greater. How can you be more attentive to His presence in these moments? [15:14]
7. Consider a situation where you need to rely on God's strength rather than your own. How can you practically apply the understanding of God as "I Am" in this context? [20:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Preparation in the Wilderness
In the story of Moses, his 40 years in the wilderness were not a punishment but a period of preparation for a divine encounter. This time of isolation and humility was essential for Moses to be ready for God's call. Similarly, our own periods of waiting and solitude can be opportunities for growth and readiness for what God has planned for us. These moments are not signs of abandonment but are crucial for our spiritual development and preparation for a deeper relationship with God. [02:17]

Exodus 3:1-2 (ESV): "Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 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."

Reflection: What current situation in your life feels like a wilderness? How can you view this time as preparation for a future encounter with God?


Day 2: Recognizing Divine Contradictions
Moses' attention was captured by a burning bush that was not consumed, a divine contradiction that led to his encounter with God. In our lives, God often uses contradictions or unexpected events to draw us closer to Him. These divine interruptions are opportunities for us to seek a deeper understanding of God's presence and purpose. By being attentive to these moments, we can position ourselves for a transformative encounter with God. [06:20]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Can you identify a recent contradiction or unexpected event in your life? How might God be using it to draw you closer to Him?


Day 3: The Call to Holiness
God instructed Moses to remove his sandals, signifying the need for holiness and repentance before approaching Him. Holiness involves separating ourselves from sin and dedicating ourselves to God. Without this willingness to confront our sin, we cannot fully experience God's presence. This call to holiness is a reminder that approaching God requires a heart that is willing to be purified and set apart for His purposes. [10:47]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to pursue holiness? How can you take a step towards repentance and dedication to God today?


Day 4: Understanding God's Self-Sufficiency
God revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am That I Am," highlighting His self-sufficiency and eternal nature. This assurance reminds us that God is all we need to face life's challenges. Recognizing Him as our ultimate source of strength and provision is crucial for our spiritual journey. By understanding God's self-sufficiency, we can trust in His ability to provide for us and guide us through any situation. [18:35]

Psalm 90:2 (ESV): "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust in God's self-sufficiency? How can you rely on Him as your ultimate source of strength and provision today?


Day 5: Pursuing a Personal Relationship with God
Many seek God's power without desiring a personal relationship with Him. A true encounter with God involves pursuing His presence and understanding that He is both powerful and personal. This relationship is foundational to experiencing His transformative power. By seeking a personal relationship with God, we open ourselves to His presence and allow Him to work in our lives in profound ways. [21:14]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: How can you deepen your personal relationship with God today? What specific steps can you take to seek His presence and understand His character more fully?

Quotes


Moses is pastoring a flock of of his father-in-law's sheep in a Wilderness this is the same Moses who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth he was picked up out of the Nile River by Pharaoh's daughter brought into Pharaoh's house raised as Pharaoh's son and was an heir to Pharaoh's throne but at 40 years old he had a a misstep at 40 years old even though he had made a commitment to God he blew it he decided to go independently of God to take matters into his own hands and to depend on his own expertise and self-sufficiency to accomplish the program of God of delivering his people and out of that miscalculation he committed murder. [00:01:01]

I wonder whether there's anyone here today who are leading Sheep by that I simply mean life is not working out like you had hoped it would something happened years ago and you still wandering with sheep now if you could go back back and redo it rehash it correct it you would if you could but you can't and so you're just trying to make it you're just leading sheep you're just doing the best you can with what you got and you're trying to make it life and it's been going on a long time Moses is going on for 40 years from the time of his infraction to the time of his encounter. [00:02:35]

The good news is that even though there's a 40-year gap God had not forgotten Moses so if you're still here that means there's still hope for a fresh encounter with God and the reason we want to look at this encounter is because I wanted to inform your encounter that we're praying that God gives you and me and us now Moses is what to use New Testament terminology he is a Believer he is what we would call today a Christian but he's one without an encounter he's one just going through the routine. [00:04:01]

One of the ways you know you're on the precipice of an encounter with God is when he presents you a contradictory situation Moses said I must turn aside now and see the this marvelous sight why the bush is not burned up he didn't skip it he investigated it further he said I've got to understand what's going on now cuz this doesn't make sense many of us have missed an encounter with God because we ignored the contradiction so he turns aside I love verse four when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look God called called him God did not call him until he responded to the contradiction. [00:06:41]

When you respond to what God has done he will give you more he that haveth more will be given he that does not have that which he has will be taken away which is another way of saying when God shows up don't ignore it respond to it and he will give you more for God is not about to waste his glory when God saw him turn aside it says he called him from the midst of the Bush and then God speaks to him and says Moses Moses. [00:07:47]

You cannot have an encounter with God if you're unwilling to deal with sin if you're unwilling to acknowledge it repent of it if you're unwilling you can't get to the bush cuz before you ever get to the bush you got to be willing to take off your shoes the accumulated dirt because this is Holy Ground holy means to separate it's something that's sacredly separated I want to separate you from your sins so that I can give give you an encounter with the Holy One. [00:11:42]

God says I did not forget what I planned for you I did not forget what I planned for my people but the problem back then is that you wanted to do it your way so I had to bring you down to earth you you had too much Egypt in you and often we have too much World in us so God can't do what he wants to do at the time we think it ought to be done because we are we've been too egyptianizing the program until Moses has an encounter with the person. [00:13:37]

When you have an encounter with God if there's nothing in your life that only God can do you'll forever be tending sheep he didn't know but God was using this humbling of sheep to prepare him for the leading of people so Moses has a question he has a question Moses has a question he wants to know now you want me to go to Pharaoh where they already have threatened my life and I've been hiding for 40 years not only do I have a pharoh problem I got an Israel problem cuz they the ones who toll on me. [00:14:53]

He says I'm going to be with you Moses said behold I'm going to the sons of Israel I will say to them verse 13 the god of your fathers have sent me to you now they may say to me what is his name who I am then you will say verse 14 to the sons of Israel I am have sent you what kind of name is that he says who shall I tell them sent me you tell them my name and my name is I am that I am not only am I I am I am that I am I Define Myself by me. [00:18:10]

When you run into this problem Pharaoh is the Big Man on Campus he your a Bo he's he's he's your number one man he's he's the man he's going to threaten you he's going to he's going to challenge you he's going to scare you but I want you to know I am that I am and the reason you need to know this is when you f Pharaoh big and bad Pharaoh you're going to have to know somebody who is so self-sufficient yes that he can be whatever you need when you run up against Pharaoh. [00:20:00]

I am going to be your power I am going to be your deliverer I am going to be your sustainer I am going to be your Victory I am that I am so I won't need help to be me for you which goes back to a theme that we've gone over and over again and that is you only have one source you only have one source I am that I am so you ain't but he is cuz I am that I am I am the sufficient one but I am personal there therefor relational many people want his provision who don't want his person. [00:20:52]

If you desire an encounter with God this year I invite you to pursue the Mountain of God to get in his presence. [00:22:02]

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Transcript
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