Whose Fire?
I wonder what made Moses falter at the burning bush. What was it that caused this proud princely leader to falter before God and say “I can’t do it –  please send someone else”. Maybe he did stammer? He certainly claimed that his brother was a better speaker, but surely he didn’t get that cringing nature from his upbringing? Raised as Pharaoh’s grandson, with the whole civilised world at his beck and call - why so insecure, why so uncertain?
There are few as insecure as those who have lost their confidence. Maybe it was the shock when, convinced that he was ‘Israel’s deliverer’, his countrymen rejected his leadership when he tried to arbitrate in their squabbling. One way or another, all the confidence built during his short privileged life vanished, and this great man ended up running for his life, hated by Pharaoh and sidelined by those he had assumed would call him “saviour”. Self confidence can vanish in an instant, but maybe it took longer. Maybe 40 long years looking after sheep solidified his cynicism - The prince of Eqypt, washed up and abandoned by the tide of fate like a piece of beach driftwood.
I used to wonder why God used a burning bush to speak to him? Why not an angel or something? Burning bushes are no miracle in the desert - Dried up resinous trees often burst into flames in the blazing sun. What really grabbed at Moses’ jaded attention was that this bush did not burn up.
I’ve no idea if I’m right, but this is what I think God was saying ...
“Hey Mo check this out! You’ve seen people fired up with ambition,. You’ve seen them go out in blaze of glory (or a whimper of disgrace). You’ve seen people pursue greatness and a few even achieve it. You’ve sat in the palace of kings and known real power, but it always fades and failure can snatch it from you in an instant”
“Tell me Moses, have you seen a life full of glory that never fades? Have you seen a life set on fire from Heaven? The fire of my love burns brighter than the midday sun, but this fire will not consume your life Moses, spitting you out as a burnt ember having had its way with you. This fire will ‘make’ you Moses. If Pharaoh will not listen because of your clever words or imposing appearance, he’ll sit up sharp when this fire burns his butt! Now Moses for goodness sake quit whingeing, remove everything that stands between us and come close. Let me burn in you and I will blaze a trail across this wilderness that the world will never forget!”
OK so it probably didn’t come across quite like that, but the love of God turned this cringing man into one of the greatest leaders this world has ever seen. Moses became known for the fire that burned within Him. God did not snatch him to public prominence when he was at his best and half way there already, but waited till Moses was 80 – past his “sell by date”. It is not our brilliance that God needs but our submission to His brilliance – any old twig or branch can become a blazing fire in the hands His hands
Imagine Jesus strolling the supermarket aisle. HE has no concern for “sell by dates”. HIS interest is in one thing - “ON OFFER” or “NOT AVAILABLE”. It’s HIS fire and no matter how broken and washed up we become ( he even searches the bins out the back of the store) HE has a way of restoring our confidence because HIS confidence in HIS ability to make us blaze...
... NEVER WAVERED!
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