God Calls Moses - Exodus 3 and 4

The story of the call of Moses is in Exodus 3 and 4 – and there is quite a conversation between God and Moses. The first thing is that Moses’ attention is attracted. He notices a bush on fire, but not being burnt up. 3:3 – And Moses said to himself, ‘I must go across and see this remarkable sight. Why ever does the bush not burn away?’

I am not going to engage in any speculation as to an explanation of the physical phenomenon of an unconsumed burning bush. That is all very interesting, but not what I regard as the main point – which is, quite simply, God’s attracting Moses’ attention. God happens to have used something unusual, at least sufficiently unusual for it to do the job. There are endless ways in which God might attract our attention. It might be someone saying something. It might be something we read. It might be a spectacular experience of some sort. But the only thing that matters is that we allow our attention to be attracted.

The next thing is to notice is that God calls Moses by name.

It is fundamental to the Biblical understanding that God knows who we are and will call us by name. We matter to God – and God chooses to work in partnership with us.

Moses responds, ‘Here I am’ – though, as we will discover, that is all that he means. He’s there. He’s noticed that there is something strange going on. He is not saying: I am ready for action. He is not saying that he is willing to do whatever it is that God wants. But he has reached the starting line – and that’s important. It can be important for us too. Like Moses, as we see as we continue through the story, we might end up wanting to engage God in debate. We might even want to suggest that we’re not the right person. And, of course, God doesn’t want everyone to do everything. That would be unsustainable. But God has Moses’ attention. And presumably he has ours. Otherwise we wouldn’t even be here.

The next significant thing in this story for me is the verse 5 comment – the place you are standing on is holy ground. Places are important in the Bible. This is a special place. Now, of course, what makes it special is God’s presence. That’s why it is holy. God can be with us anywhere, of course. God can make anyone holy. But it is not unknown for us, even within our reformed tradition, to find some actual spaces spiritually helpful – Iona, Taizé and Holy Island spring to mind. But your holy place – the geographical location where God speaks to you – might be anywhere. The holiness comes not from any history or tradition, but from the presence of God.

Then, there’s the task. God explains to Moses what he has in mind for him – and we need to try and listen for God’s explanation as to what he might have in mind for us.
And, if we hear it, what are we going to do? Moses said ‘no’. 4:1 – but they will never believe me or listen to what I say. How often has that been said, or similar? But when and if we feel like that, and we will sometimes – we need to bear in mind what happens through the rest of chapter 4. There are two key things here.

One is that God gives Moses some resources. Now God probably isn’t going to give us the ability to do funny things with sticks, or to turn water into blood – and actually I am quite glad about that. But there are many and abundant ways in which God does resource us.

The other thing, which is more than a resource, is that God gives Moses a colleague. Verse 14 – Do you not have a brother, Aaron the Levite? He, I know, will do all the speaking. And God adds, he is already on his way to meet you, and he will be overjoyed when he sees you. God doesn’t expect us to do it all on our own – just to play our part.

I think Moses is quite helpful and quite challenging.

Here he is, in this situation in Midian because he has committed murder. Moses is an unlikely, reluctant candidate, needing resources and support, but, when God stops him in his tracks, despite all the avoidance techniques, his ultimate response is positive.