The Burning Bush

^{The Burning Bush}

    Now some time has passed, and Moses is now an 80-year-old man. He is out tending sheep at Mount Sinai. There an angel appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. The bush was in flames, but it didn’t burn up. Then the Lord saw Moses coming, He called to him from the bush, Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord told him, “I have heard the cries of my people in Egypt, because they are being treated as slaves. I am aware of their suffering. So, I have come down to rescue them and lead them out of Egypt. I will take them to their land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people out of Egypt.” Moses gives many excuses:

Excuse #1: Moses says, "Who am I that I should go? God's response: He assured Moses that He would be with him.

Excuse #2: But what if the Israelites won’t believe me? God’s response: Just tell them I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Excuse #3: But what if they still don’t believe me? God’s response: Moses, trust Me and I can do anything through you. Here are three signs that you can use to prove to the Israelites.

Sign #1: God tells Moses to throw his staff to the ground. The staff turns to a serpent when it hits the ground. God tells Moses to pick the serpent up by the tail, when Moses did it turned back into his staff.

Sign #2: God told Moses to put his hand inside his coat. Moses put his hand in his coat and then when he pulled it out, it had leprosy. Then he put it back in his coat, and when he pulled it back out, his hand was back to normal.

Sign #3: God tells Moses that if the Israelites don’t believe the first two signs, then Moses should take water from the river and pour it on dry land, and it will turn into blood.

Excuse #4: But I’m not really a great speaker. God’s response: Moses, I am the one that made your mouth. I know exactly how you speak, and I choose you.

Excuse #5: But I am still unsure, please send someone else. God’s response: Fine. I will send your brother Aaron with you to be your spokesperson. You tell him what to say and he will say it.

    Moses did go back to Egypt to do what the Lord had called him to do. Moses went to the Israelites and Aaron was his spokesman. They spoke the words and performed the signs that God told them to, and the Israelites believed them – Just like God said they would. They did it! Moses powered through his fears and worries, he trusted God to be with him through something scary, and delivered God’s message to Pharaoh, “Let My People Go!”

    We can talk to God about our fears and concerns just like Moses did. God has a plan and a purpose for our lives! So, even when following God seems hard, don’t give up! Remember Moses and don’t let fear stop you!  

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