Exodus 3:4-7
When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.
After Jacob comes the story of Joseph and after him, a few centuries of things getting worse and worse for the people of Jacob, whom we know as Israel. Like Jacob, the nation of Israel is formed in struggle. As time goes on and numbers increase, their identity is forged in and through forced submission as slaves in Egypt. They forget they were once favored. They don’t know that they were once known. That never changed. It never does, though it can be so hard to reconcile that truth with our own experience and perspective. When a God who speaks becomes a God who once spoke and a God who once spoke becomes a God who is silent, it’s only a matter of time before a God who is silent is understood and experienced as a God who is absent. That isn’t how it works, but that can be how we experience it.
In that silence and in that perceived absence, a bush on a mountain burns and an aging shepherd takes notice. A shepherd who once knew what it was to be known. A shepherd who used to be a favored prince. The hands that once held a golden scepter now gripped a wooden staff, though less tightly and with very different purpose. And from that burning bush, that shepherd hears his own name called. After what seems like a lifetime, that shepherd is known again.
It’s a powerful story of being known. It’s a powerful story of being called. And the biggest mistake we can make as we read these verses is to mistake the significance of those parts for the real purpose.
Moses’ calling isn’t about Moses. It’s not about him growing as a leader. It’s not about his ego. It’s also not about his present or future “flocks.” It’s not about what he’s done or will do for himself or for them. It’s not actually about serving God’s people. It’s simply and singly about serving God.
Moses’ calling is about God seeing the misery of His people and hearing their cries. Moses’ calling is about His participation in God’s cosmic plan of redemption for all of creation.
It’s not about his adequacy for that job, he isn’t adequate to do it himself. It’s not about his inadequacy, either. It’s not about his position or holiness or spiritual maturity, he can’t face the One who called him. It’s not about his awesomeness or his abilities. Moses’ sandals, an essential part of his existence, don’t make the cut and can’t enter the circle. The only thing, in fact, that Moses can bring into this whole insane project is himself and the only thing he can contribute at this point is his “I’ll go.” He has absolutely no idea what’s about to happen.
What is truly great about it all is that he enters that circle curious and agenda-free. And then immediately, he has to confront his own terror and inadequacy. Is this what true faithfulness looks like? Is it from this place that real submission can grow? Is it here that genuine humility and sincere obedience are born?
May you know that silence isn’t absence. May you know that your creator knows your name. May you be truly faithful.
Reflect:
Again on the short passage above and on some of the struggles that have formed your sense of self and the world. On how you’ve known and experienced God through those.
Journal:
Answers to the following questions.
- Has your perception and experience of God changed over time?
- What have you done in periods of silence? For you or for others?
- Does He still speak? Is He still present?
- What is it that you need to leave outside the circle?
Pray:
For God’s cosmic plan of redemption for all of creation. For those who are still crying out from their misery and are suffering. For a clear leading into His plan and the courage to face the unknown with true faithfulness.