RBWords

     If I had to pick one scene from the Old Testament as my favorite, the scene with Moses and God at the burning bush would be it.  I would not be alone in my choice.  Many of the great church fathers and mystics have been drawn to comment on it.  [And, of course, millions saw Charlton Heston as Moses in Cecil B. DeMille's saga THE TEN COMMANDMENTS approach that bush!]  I cannot match that company, but I'll offer two points.

 

     The first point is the one that attracted [and still attracts] the church fathers and others.  It is the moment of God's self-revelation.  Moses asks for God's name and God gives it:  I AM.  This name was [and still is] so sacred that Jews did not speak it at all except for the High Priest who invoked it once a year in the Holy of Holies of the temple!  In Hebrew thought, the name was equivalent to the person!

 

     The second point is more personal.  I am very much drawn to the dialog between Moses and God about what God wants Moses to do.  I recall my own dialog with God as a college student trying to decide whether or not to enter religious life.  I was saying, "You can't do this to me!"  God was saying, "You must do this!"  The dialog continues to this day, believe me!  You know who is winning the argument!  But I still stand in front of that burning bush and talk!  AMEN