Exodus 3:1-5 - Homilies By J. Orr

The bush and its suggestions.

Glean here a few of the general suggestions of the passage:—

I. REVELATION . The appearance at the bush suggestive—

1 . Of the supernatural in Nature. Bushes are aglow all around us, if only we had eyes to see them. Christ's teaching an illustration of the spiritual suggestiveness of Nature. "Consider the lilies" ( Matthew 6:28 ). The parables.

2 . Of the supernatural in common life. "Moses kept the flock of Jethro." The Higher Presence may be with us in the humblest occupations.

3 . Of the supernatural in the Church—

The bush, burning but not consumed, an emblem of Israel—of the Church—enduring in tribulation.

4 . Of the higher supernatural of positive revelation. Authoritative revelation is suspended, but the sum of its results is given in Scripture. The Bible is the Bush of revelation, to which the student of Divine things will do well to direct his attention.

II. PREPAREDNESS . Cultivate with Moses—

1 . A spirit of duty ( Exodus 3:1 ).

2 . A spirit of devout inquiry ( Exodus 3:3 ).

3 . A spirit of humility and reverence ( Exodus 3:5 , Exodus 3:6 ).

To such a spirit, God—

1 . Reveals himself.

2 . Addresses calls to his service ( Exodus 3:4 ).

3 . Gives work to do.

4 . Honours in its work.— J . O .