It looked like the aftermath of an atom bomb falling on Hiroshima. California’s decimated landscape. Mile after mile of burnt-out homes. The fires took place in a geographical tinderbox and were further spread by huge gusts of dry winds. California will never look the same. Lives lost and families altered forever.
MORE THAN A MERE ATOMB BOMB
Moses encounters an even stronger fire in the burning bush. Rather than a mere atom bomb, this is the hydrogen bomb because of Who it signifies. Trembling has seized the godless. “Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning?” (Isaiah 33:14) This is the fire of the holiness of God. “Our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28-29) God’s holiness burns up anything which is unholy.
THE PROGRESSION OF MOSES & HIS PEOPLE
Exodus 5:2; 7:1-7; 9:13-16 recounts the progression of Moses and his people. It dawns on Moses at the burning bush Who God is. Despite his protests, Moses caves and obeys the Holy God. Moses tells the Israelites God will set them free from Egypt; they respond by tentatively placing their toes in the waters of obedience before the God of Abraham.
THE LINE IN THE SAND
However, Pharaoh reacts with scorn. In Egyptian culture the Pharaoh was more than a man; he considers himself a god. Throwing a tantrum, the dictator defiantly responds, “Who is the Lord that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” Pharaoh draws his line into the sand.
HE THOUGHT HE HAD EVERYTHING COVERED
Pharaoh thinks he is prepared for all eventualities. Nothing can break down his power and resources. Just like many Californians thought that the perfect storm of fire would never hit their state, Pharaoh assumes everything is in control. However, his people are spiritually bankrupt, caught in a desert of darkness. Just as in California, the reservoirs are empty!
SPIRITUAL SURGERY WITHOUT ANESTHESIA
The Egyptians’, the Israelites’ and Pharaoh’s coming days result in spiritual surgery without anesthesia. The approaching disastrous events have one goal: And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.” This is the wakeup call, to see first-hand the reality of the One and Holy God. I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.
WHY PHARAOH ALLOWED TO LIVE
God is not One to be trifled with. Little does Pharaoh understand the one reason he himself still exists. But indeed, for this very reason I have allowed you to live, in order to show you My power and in order that My name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth.
3,500 YEARS LATER, STILL REMEMBERING
“By these specific works in Exodus, God made a name for himself for ages and generations. Nearly one thousand years later, the exiles returning from Babylon prayed, “You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh …. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day” (Nehemiah 9:9–10). Here we are 3,500 years later, still recounting these glorious deeds. God will be known and worshiped by people from every tribe and tongue, and he has spoken and acted in history to make his name glorious.” (Ryan Chase)
THE PRAYER
Are you on your face before this glorious Holy God? Do you long to obey and be filled with His reservoirs of Living Water? Let this be your prayer: “God, clean me, change me and mold me so that Your Name is proclaimed throughout all the earth. Let Your fire burn within me so that lives are changed for eternity.” It only takes one spark of submission and obedience to eternally alter your life and those you encounter.
