Theologos: Sabbath Sanctuary: The Burning Bush Finding the Holy Among The Common

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Sabbath Sanctuary: The Burning Bush Finding the Holy Among The Common

Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes. The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The Messenger of Yahweh appeared to him there as flames of fire coming out of a bush. Moses looked, and although the bush was on fire, it was not burning up. So he thought, “Why isn’t this bush burning up? I must go over there and see this strange sight.” When Yahweh saw that Moses had come over to see it, Elohim called to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!” {Ex. 3:2-4 Names of God Bible, God's Word Translation).

I love fall. Aesthetically, it is my favorite season. The red, yellow, and oranges consume the landscape; standing in oceans of red and orange of their own fallen leaves. This year, some trees are exhibiting a dark Merlot that is simply breathtaking. The glory of God displayed in awesome wonder through His creation. His paintbrush is evident everywhere. When I glimpse at these brilliant colors, they often evoke images of the burning bush, though I am sure not quite as magnificent, dramatic, marvelous or wonderful, for what can compare to the burning presence of Yahweh?

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth {John 1:14 NASB}.

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high {Heb. 1:3 NASB}.

I am reading Exodus this morning, and I couldn’t help but notice, that when Moses reached Mount Horeb, the mountain of Elohim, he happened to see this bush that was burning—but not being consumed. The Word says, that Moses went over to see it, and because Yahweh saw that Moses came to see…then He spoke out of the bush.

The bush was burning before Moses arrived, but because he turned aside to see this marvelous sight {Ex. 3:2-4} God spoke to Him.

The beauty and the glory of God are all around us, burning to spark our attention. God is not just babbling and hoping someone hears; He is patiently waiting for us to turn aside and see the marvelous sight, so that He may fellowship with us.

This Sabbath, look—seek the divine callings of God. So often the holy is hiding among the common. Don't miss burning bushes all around you; turn aside to His marvelous wonder, take off your shoes—for this is holy ground—and rest in His Presence.