The Burning Bush
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. ~Exodus 3:2
The bush that burned with fire but was not consumed ranks as one of the many remarkable wonders. Dried bushes in the desert are a common sight. These bushes are highly combustible and burn up quickly once they catch fire. On one eventful day, Moses encountered a bush that burned with fire, but the fire did not consume it. This bush kept burning and burning, but it never burned up. This burning bush encounter would change Moses' life that day. Would you join me this morning and consider your burning bush experience?
A picture of the attribute of an all-consuming God.
Hebrews 12:29 tells us, “For our God is a consuming fire.” Fire represents fuel and warmth. It repels evil predators. It is a necessity for survival. It also represents danger and painful hurt. Fire left unchecked and out of control can burn down an entire forest, buildings, and even cities. Fire can cause burns that hurt and leave unpleasant scars. Our God is a God of justice and mercy. His holiness demands that sin be punished. His mercy desires to forgive and remove all sin. Unlike natural fires that require combustible fuel to sustain itself, God is a consuming fire Whose flames never go out. God is almighty! God is alive! God is a consuming fire seeking to ignite the flame of passion in the hearts of those who are His people.
A picture of the Word of God.
Jeremiah 23:29 says, “Is not my word like as a fire?” Luke 24:32 says, “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” God’s Word is a fire that burns within the hearts of its reader. That fire burns conviction concerning sin in the life of the Christian. That fire burns concern for serving the Lord. That fire burns compassion for reaching the multitudes with the gospel. That bush that burned with fire but was not consumed is a vivid picture of the ongoing work of God’s Word in our hearts. Fiery-hot preaching stirs us to action! Reading and meditating on God’s Word will create an awakening that revives our doubtful hearts. The Word of God is fire that burns!
A picture of the calling of God for service.
How does a man know if he has been called to be a preacher? The calling of God burns within him. He has an inescapable desire and longing to preach, serve, and win souls. His earnest cry within his heart is, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” He awakens each morning and goes to sleep each night knowing that the work of God has much more to do. He is moved with urgency. This fire produces the needed motivation to do the work that he has been called to do. It is the same unmistakable fire that stirs every saint of God to serve. It is that all-consuming flame that causes us to respond to the need for volunteers within the church, to participate in organized and personal soulwinning, and to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Are you ready for your burning bush experience? Are you ready to be a wonder to behold that God can take control of and burn a fire that is unquenchable?
Have an intense and fiery God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: John 11-12