Now Moshe was tending the sheep of Yitro his father-in-law, the priest of Midyan. Leading the flock to the far side of the desert, he came to the mountain of God, to Horev. The angel of Adonai appeared to him in a fire blazing from the middle of a bush. He looked and saw that although the bush was flaming with fire, yet the bush was not being burned up. Moshe said, “I’m going to go over and see this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t being burned up.” When Adonai saw that he had gone over to see, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moshe! Moshe!” He answered, “Here I am.” He said, “Don’t come any closer! Take your sandals off your feet because the place where you are standing is holy ground. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3&version=CJB)
The story of the flaming (burning) bush in Exodus 3 has fascinated me for many years. I am always moved by this story. This bush is in flames, yet not consumed, imagine that! Moses is curious and amazed and wanders closer. I love that Moses is curious of this amazing sight. That Moses is not afraid and that he talks aloud to himself endears Moses to me. Would God have said anything to him if he had not approached? But God notices Moses coming to the bush. “Moshe, Moshe” calls God from the middle of the bush. Without hesitation, Moses responds “Here I am!” he proclaims.
“Here I am”!! What an incredible response from Moses. “I, Moses, am here. I am listening to you.” This reminds me of Isaiah speaking for God in Chapter 43 (NRSV): Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
It is the Holy One calling me by name and I am a Holy servant. A: a servant of God who will carry justice, kindness and love in the places the servant travels.
How do I ‘hear’ the voice of God, the Holy One? How do you ‘hear’ or sense the presence of the Holy One? The ‘voice’ of God comes to me as I walk in the woods and stare up at the trees that seem to touch the sky. I am stirred. The starry night in a clear dark sky is painted with the hands of the mystery of Creation.
The voice of God comes to me through song. Today I heard the voice of the late Debbie Friedman sing a most beautiful and powerful lullaby to God and to us. (https://www.riseupandsing.org/songs/lchi-lach) The ‘voice’ of God spoke to me.
Would I have the courage of Moses to get closer to the bush that is aflame? Would I even have the courage to bring a flock of sheep into a wilderness? A different time and place than mine. Yet… Moses does not slink away in fear, he approaches the bush that is aflame! And hears the unmistakable voice of the Presence of the Divine.
And then the voice of God said to Moses, and in awe he approached the mysterious Force: “Do not come any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground. Reading or saying that aloud to myself or in a sermon, my voice cracks. I need time to recoup. I seek stillness. I breathe quietly and deeply. I am present in the wilderness. There is a joy of immensity and a darkness like a void that fills the air. I am struck with awe, wonder and amazement. The power and sweetness of God’s voice overwhelms me with such sweet sorrow and uplifts my heart.
This story was written thousands of years ago brings my being to life. I have been aware for many years that this beautiful story arose in the hearts and minds of those who imagined it and wrote it down in an ancient language and ancient land. The story was likely written from shreds of oral traditions that had accumulated over hundreds of years. It brought meaning and a sense of identity to the early Israelites.
Stories of the soul are real and it still rings true today. They touch the heart and mind in a deep, abiding way. There is power in storytelling. As we read a well written book, story, or poem the characters and events come to life. That is why some of us cry when viewing a romantic, or dramatic movie which touches the heart. Or a song of the heart, sung eloquently, may choke one up inside.
So, this story of Moses touches my life emotionally and spiritually.
Recently, I came across a poem by Rob Bell, (https://robbell.com) entitled Walk, Don’t Run. In the poem he writes:
Walk, don’t run.
That’s it.
Walk, don’t run.
Slow down, breathe deeply,
and open your eyes because there’s
a whole world right here within this one.
The bush doesn’t suddenly catch on fire,
it’s been burning the whole time.
Moses is simply moving
slowly enough to see it. And when he does,
he takes off his sandals.
Not because
the ground has suddenly become holy,
but because he’s just now becoming aware that
the ground has been holy the whole time.
In that poem, I have begun to see the story in a new and refreshing light. My sense of ‘radical amazement’ (Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel), wonder and awe are even more pronounced.
All the earth and all living things have been sacred and holy since the beginning. We each carry within us a spark (a flame?) from Creation. A Holy and sacred “thing”, has been planted by the Creator to reside in our in our hearts, though it seems it is hidden, only to be found when we slow down – Walk, don’t run.
May you find the blessings of curiosity, of wonder and awe. May you see Beauty in all places, but most especially in your heart. May you find in the Mystery of all that is Holy, your servanthood. Amen.
Hearing the Divine 