A Consuming Fire: Moses and the Burning Bush with R.C. Sproul

Summary

In this script, the speaker delves into the theological significance of the burning bush, an event pivotal in both Moses' life and human history. They explore the concept of 'theophany,' where God's presence is made visible through supernatural phenomena, such as the fire within the bush that did not consume it. The discussion extends to other instances of the Shekinah Glory in the Bible, including the covenant with Abraham and the conversion of Saul, highlighting the transformative power of divine encounters.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The story of Moses and the burning bush is a significant event in redemptive history, marking a turning point for Moses and humanity.
• 🌳 The bush in the story was a common, ordinary bramble bush, not something supernatural in itself.
• 👀 Moses saw a fire inside the bush that did not consume it, suggesting a supernatural phenomenon rather than a natural one.
• 🔥 The fire was independent of the bush, indicating a theophany, a visible manifestation of God's presence.
• 🌟 The term 'theophany' comes from 'theos' (God) and 'phaneo' (to make manifest), referring to God making himself visible.
• 🌌 The Shekinah Glory, or the visible manifestation of God's glory, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with fire.
• 📜 In Genesis 15, God's promise to Abraham is accompanied by a vision of a smoking oven and a burning torch, symbolizing the Shekinah Glory.
• 💡 The Shekinah Glory is also present in the conversion of Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus, where he encounters a blinding light from heaven.
• 🐑 The birth of Jesus is announced to shepherds by an angel accompanied by the Shekinah Glory, demonstrating God's presence and power.
• 🌟 The Shekinah Glory is not just associated with God the Father but is also linked to the Second Person of the Trinity, reflecting the deity of Jesus Christ.

Q & A

What is the significance of the burning bush in the encounter with Moses?

The burning bush is significant as it represents a theophany, a visible manifestation of God's presence. The bush was on fire but not consumed, indicating the fire was independent and supernatural, symbolizing God's power and majesty.

Why was the bush not consumed by the fire?

The bush was not consumed because the fire was not of the bush itself but was a divine presence within it. This supernatural fire was a manifestation of God's glory, independent of the natural properties of the bush.

What is the term 'theophany' and how does it relate to the burning bush?

The term 'theophany' comes from 'theos' meaning God and 'phaneo' meaning to make manifest. It refers to a visible appearance of a deity, in this case, God's presence within the burning bush, which was a supernatural and not a natural phenomenon.

How does the speaker describe the nature of the fire in the bush from Moses' perspective?

The speaker suggests that from Moses' viewpoint, the fire appeared to be coming from inside the bush, indicating a supernatural presence rather than a natural fire that would consume the bush.

What is the 'Shekinah Glory' and how is it connected to the burning bush?

The 'Shekinah Glory' is the visible radiance or manifestation of God's presence and power. It is connected to the burning bush as the fire within the bush is considered a form of this divine radiance, revealing God's glory to Moses.

Can you explain the significance of the 'Shekinah Glory' in redemptive history?

The 'Shekinah Glory' is significant in redemptive history as it represents key moments when God reveals Himself in a tangible way, such as to Moses at the burning bush, to Abraham in his covenant promise, and to Paul on the road to Damascus, impacting their lives and the course of history.

What is the biblical reference to God's promise to Abraham and how does it relate to the 'Shekinah Glory'?

The biblical reference is Genesis 15:17, where God makes a covenant with Abraham, demonstrated by a vision of a smoking oven and a burning torch passing between the pieces of animals. This vision represents the 'Shekinah Glory', symbolizing God's commitment and promise to Abraham.

How does the speaker describe the Apostle Paul's encounter with the 'Shekinah Glory'?

The speaker describes Paul's encounter as a transformative moment when he was struck by a blinding light from heaven, fell to the ground, and heard the voice of Jesus asking why he was persecuting Him. This encounter with the 'Shekinah Glory' turned Paul's life around, making him a devoted apostle.

What is the connection between the 'Shekinah Glory' and the birth of Jesus?

The connection is that an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds with the 'Shekinah Glory' shining around them, announcing the birth of Jesus as the Savior. This display of divine glory accompanied the momentous event, signifying its importance.

How does the speaker link the 'Shekinah Glory' to God the Son in the context of theophany?

The speaker suggests that the 'Shekinah Glory' is not only linked to God the Father but is also inseparably related to the Second Person of the Trinity, God the Son. This implies that the glory displayed in theophany is the inherent glory of God the Son from all eternity.

What is the significance of the Mount of Transfiguration in relation to the 'Shekinah Glory'?

The Mount of Transfiguration is significant as it was the site of a magnificent display of the 'Shekinah Glory' in the New Testament. The glory displayed there was not a reflection but an inherent divine radiance bursting through from Jesus' concealed deity, highlighting the divine nature of Jesus.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 The Theological Significance of the Burning Bush

In this paragraph, Sproul delves into the theological implications of Moses' encounter with the burning bush. He emphasizes that this event was not only transformative for Moses but also pivotal in human history. Sproul clarifies that the bush was an ordinary bramble bush, and the supernatural aspect was not the bush itself but the fire within it. He suggests that the fire was independent of the bush, indicating a divine presence. The paragraph explores the idea that the fire was a manifestation of God's power, separate from the natural world, and sets the stage for deeper theological discussions.

05:02

🌟 Theophany and the Shekinah Glory

This paragraph introduces the concept of 'theophany,' which refers to the visible manifestation of God. Sproul explains that God, being a spirit, is invisible but occasionally reveals Himself in visible forms, such as fire. He connects this to the burning bush, suggesting that the fire was a supernatural phenomenon, a contra naturam, or against nature. The paragraph also discusses the Shekinah Glory, the visible radiance of God's presence, which is often associated with fire in biblical narratives. Sproul uses examples from the Old Testament, such as God's promise to Abraham and the Pentateuch, to illustrate how God's glory is communicated through fire.

10:06

📜 The Covenant and the Vision of Fire

Sproul recounts the biblical story of God's covenant with Abraham, highlighting the significance of the vision of a smoking oven and a burning torch in Genesis 15:17. He interprets this vision as a divine promise, with God swearing by His own being, demonstrating His commitment to Abraham. The paragraph explores the idea that this vision of fire is a representation of the Shekinah Glory, symbolizing God's presence and His oath to fulfill His promises. Sproul emphasizes the profound impact of this divine encounter on Abraham's life and faith.

15:10

🌈 The Conversion of Saul and the Shekinah Glory

In this paragraph, Sproul shifts focus to the New Testament, discussing the conversion of Saul of Tarsus (later known as Paul) on the road to Damascus. He describes the sudden appearance of a light from heaven that shone around Saul, accompanied by a voice identifying itself as Jesus. Sproul draws parallels between this event and Moses' encounter with the burning bush, noting the repetition of names and the divine call. He suggests that Saul's encounter with the Shekinah Glory was transformative, leading to his conversion and his role as a prominent apostle. The paragraph also touches on the Shekinah Glory's appearance at the birth of Jesus, as described in the Christmas narrative.

20:16

🌟 The Shekinah Glory and the Trinity

The final paragraph connects the Shekinah Glory to the Second Person of the Trinity, suggesting that the divine manifestations of light and fire are not limited to God the Father but are also inherent in God the Son. Sproul anticipates further discussions in future sessions to explore this connection in depth. He also reflects on the Transfiguration of Jesus, where the Shekinah Glory was displayed, indicating that the glory was not merely a reflection but an inherent divine attribute. The paragraph concludes by reinforcing the idea that wherever the Shekinah Glory is present, God is present.

Keywords

💡Redemptive Historical Perspective

The redemptive historical perspective refers to the view that certain events in history are pivotal in the unfolding of God's plan for humanity's redemption. In the video, this concept is used to highlight the significance of Moses' encounter with the burning bush, suggesting that it was not only transformative for Moses but also a critical moment in human history.

💡Theological Implications

Theological implications pertain to the deeper spiritual and religious meanings that can be derived from a biblical event or narrative. The video discusses the theological implications of the burning bush, exploring how this event reveals God's nature and His interaction with humanity.

💡Theophany

Theophany is a term used in religious contexts to describe an appearance or manifestation of a deity. In the script, theophany is used to describe the appearance of God to Moses in the burning bush, indicating a visible presentation of God's presence.

💡Shekinah Glory

Shekinah Glory refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence, often associated with divine light or fire. The video script emphasizes the Shekinah Glory as a recurring theme in biblical narratives, such as the burning bush, Abraham's covenant, and the conversion of Saul, illustrating God's active engagement with humanity.

💡Contra Naturam

Contra naturam is a Latin term meaning 'against nature,' used in the script to describe the supernatural phenomenon of the burning bush that was not consumed by the fire. This term underscores the miraculous and divine nature of the event, distinguishing it from ordinary, natural occurrences.

💡Moses

Moses is a central figure in the script, known as the leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. His encounter with the burning bush is a pivotal event in his life and in the history of Israel, symbolizing his call to prophetic leadership and his role in God's plan.

💡Pentecost

Pentecost is a Christian feast day commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus. The script mentions Pentecost to contrast the fire that came down on that day with the fire in the bush, both symbolizing divine presence and empowerment.

💡Abraham

Abraham is a patriarch in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. The video script references Abraham's covenant with God, where the Shekinah Glory is seen in a vision of a smoking oven and a burning torch, symbolizing God's promise and commitment.

💡Saul of Tarsus

Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, is a key figure in the New Testament. His conversion on the road to Damascus, where he encounters the Shekinah Glory, is a transformative moment that redirects his life from persecuting Christians to becoming a leading apostle.

💡Transfiguration

The Transfiguration is an event in the New Testament where Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain, revealing his divine nature. The script connects this event to the burning bush, suggesting that the divine glory displayed in both instances is intrinsic to Jesus' being.

💡Nativity

The Nativity refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. The script mentions the Shekinah Glory appearing to the shepherds at the time of Jesus' birth, indicating a divine revelation and the significance of the event in the context of salvation history.

Highlights

Moses' encounter with the burning bush was a life-changing event and a watershed moment in human history.

Theological implications and ramifications of the burning bush event will be explored beyond the basic narrative.

Moses was tending Jethro's flock when the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from a bush.

The bush was on fire but not consumed, indicating a supernatural phenomenon contrary to nature.

The fire was independent of the bush, not using it for fuel, symbolizing a theophany or divine manifestation.

The term 'theophany' means the manifestation of God, with 'theo' from 'theos' for God and 'phany' from 'phaneo' meaning to make manifest.

God's invisible spirit can make itself visible through visual manifestations like the burning bush.

The Shekinah Glory, God's radiant majesty, was communicated through fire in key moments of redemptive history.

Abraham's encounter with God's promise and the Shekinah Glory in Genesis 15 demonstrated God's commitment to His covenant.

The Shekinah Glory in the form of a smoking oven and burning torch passed between the divided animals in Abraham's covenant vision.

Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus involved an encounter with the Shekinah Glory, changing his life and making him a great apostle.

The Shekinah Glory at Jesus' birth appeared to shepherds, not in the manger, but in the fields outside Bethlehem.

The Shekinah Glory is linked not only to God the Father but also to the Second Person of the Trinity, God the Son.

The Transfiguration of Jesus was a magnificent display of the Shekinah Glory, revealing His divine nature.

The presence of the Shekinah Glory signifies the presence of God, whether in the burning bush, the Transfiguration, or other biblical events.

Transcripts

SPROUL: We're going to continue now with our study of Moses and the burning bush and all that

was involved in that particular encounter.

In our last session, I mentioned that from a redemptive historical perspective, that

particular incident was not only life changing for Moses himself but was a watershed moment

for all of human history.

And we looked at the basic narrative in the first two sessions, and from now on, I want

to be looking at some of  the theological implications 

and ramifications from this event.

So, I'll turn your attention again tonight just to the first part of Chapter 3 of Exodus

where we read these words, "Now, Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law,

the priest of Midian.

And he led the flock to the back of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush.

So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not

burn."

Now, according to Jewish tradition, this area of the desert is populated by the most common

of bushes that were bramble bushes, and the assumption of the Jewish historians was that

this particular bush was a simple, ordinary bramble bush of no great significance in itself.

And, when this experience occurred to Moses, the first thing I think we have to understand

is that there was nothing at all supernatural about this bush.

It was a common, ordinary, bramble bush doing what common, ordinary, bramble bushes do in

the desert.

And, it's not like there was a miracle performed where God caused a bush to burn that could

burn forever without losing any of its substance from the burning process.

And here's one of those occasions when we read the Scripture, that the words that we

read in there can be a little bit misleading, because, Moses is describing this experience

from what we call a phenomenal  logical perspective, 

that is, he tells about it from what it looked

like.

He's walking along with his sheep there in the desert, he sees this strange phenomenon

of a bush burning, and he turns aside to see what this bush burning is all about.

He's astonished to see that although the bush is burning, it is not consumed.

Now I'm suggesting, perhaps, that what Moses saw was a fire in the bush.

It wasn't beside the bush.

It wasn't on top or over the bush like the flames and tongues of fire that came down

on the day of Pentecost on that occasion.

Rather, from Moses' viewpoint, the fire was coming from inside the bush.

But, what I'm suggestion to you is that the significance of the statement that the bush

was not being consumed indicates that the bush itself was not burning.

The fire was in the bush but not of the bush.

Now, what does that mean and what's the  

significance of that?

Well, it indicates that the fire that Moses saw was independent of the bush.

It was not using the bush for its fuel.

That's why it wasn't consumed.

The fire that Moses saw was burning from its own power.

It was generated from itself and not from a conflagration of the bush.

So what we have here, clearly, is a biblical example of what we call "theophany."

And, the word "theophany" means -- we have the first part of the word, "theo" that comes

from the word "theos" for God.

And, the second part, "phany," it comes from which "phaneo" which means to make manifest.

The God that we worship is a spirit.

He is invisible.

His invisible substance cannot be seen by the human eye, but there are occasions in

redemptive history where the invisible God makes himself visible by some kind of visual

manifestation.

And that's what we're encountering here with this experience.

Now, to have a bush with a fire in it is what we call in theology, when the fire is not

consuming the bush, an activity that is contra naturam -- an activity that is contra naturam.

"Contra" means against, and "naturam" means nature.

So this activity that Moses is looking at is something that is completely contrary to

nature.

This is not a natural phenomenon.

It is a supernatural phenomenon.

Usually, the phrase "contra naturam" is used to describe what we call "the miraculous."

I'm not convinced that this was necessarily a miracle that he was witnessing, but it was

a supernatural reality.

And what he was seeing, plain and simple, in this fire was a visible manifestation of

the Glory of God.

We hear in the Bible about the outward appearance of God's Glory, and we call that the "Shekinah

Glory."

The Glory that is refulgent.

The Glory that radiates from the very being of God that is so powerful and so majestic

that it overwhelms anyone who ever comes in contact with it.

I want us to see that throughout redemptive history, at critical junctures, at critical

moments, God manifest himself to people through the Shekinah Glory that is communicated chiefly

through some kind of fire.

And, I want to take some time tonight to look at some of these episodes, particularly in

the Old Testament but not exclusively there.

Where we see the Shekinah Glory of God that flows out of God's inner perfect,  

Holy, transcendent

being.

Let's go back for a moment earlier in the Pentateuch to the fifteenth chapter of Genesis.

Where in Genesis, we find the record of God speaking to Abraham and making the promise

to him there that he will be the father of a great nation.

Remember that Abraham was called by God, and he said, "I will be your shield and your very

great reward," and Abraham said, "What reward can you give me?"

He was already one of the richest men in the world.

He said, "I have all these things, but I don't have an heir.

I don't have a son.

My heir is my servant, Eliezer of Damascus."

And God said, "No, no, no.

Eliezer will not be your heir, but I'm going to give you a son from your own loins.

In her old age, your wife will bear you a son, and he will become the father of a great

nation," and we know the rest of the terms of that covenant.

We're told that Abraham believed God and was accounted to him for righteousness.

But as he spelled all these things out that he was going to do for Abraham, Abraham had

the basic struggles that we all would have in a situation like that, so he said to God,

"How can I know this?

How can I be sure that this will happen?"

Well, I think I've told the congregation at St. Andrews on other occasions that one of

the strangest phenomenon I know of in Christendom is this practice that people have when I go

to a conference and a speaker along with other speakers.

People come up afterward and ask me to sign their Bible for them, as if I wrote the Bible.

But, it's a practice, so I try to do it.

But then they not only want the signature, but they want me to give them my life verse.

I don't know where this idea ever came from.

I mean, how can you take one verse out of the whole Bible and make it your life verse.

The whole Bible is our life verse.

But people ask for that, and I'm a little bit mischievous when I sign Bibles, and I

write down my verse.

I write down Genesis 15:17.

And, the people think, and they walk away.

Usually what happens is about one-half hour later, they come back to me and ask, "Did

you make a mistake on this verse that you wrote down there?"

I say, "No," and they say, "Well, I went and looked at this verse that you said was your

life verse, and I can't make any sense out of it at all."

Then I take some time to explain it to them.

So let me just read verse 17 of Genesis 15.

"And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared

a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces."

And I say to people, "If I'm ever locked up in a prison and I'm in solitary confinement,

and I can only have one verse in all of the Bible at my disposal, that's the verse I want."

People look at me like I'm crazy.

What's going on here?

You go through this garish ritual that God commands Abraham to cut all these animals

in half and this gory mess of placing the animals in a pathway like an aisle, like a

gauntlet.

And then this horrible fear comes upon Abraham in this night vision, and it says, "In this

darkness, in his sleep, Abraham sees the smoking oven and a burning torch moving between the

pieces."

Well, obviously, what's going on -- well, maybe not so obvious to everybody, but it's

obvious to me what's going on here.

In this text is the cutting right of a covenant where God is demonstrating to Abraham through

this vision of fire, of a torch, a burning oven that passes between the pieces.

And that is the vision of the Shekinah.

That's God in this dream moving between the pieces of these animals that have been cut

in half, and what God is saying dramatically to Abraham, "Abraham, how can you know that

I'm going to do what I say I'm going to do to you?

Here's how.

I've just run the gauntlet, and what I'm saying to you is if I fail ever to keep a promise

that I make to you, may I be like these animals, cut in two.

May the immutable God suffer a mutation.

May the eternal become temporal.

The infinite finite.

I'm not swearing on my mother's grave to you, Abraham -- I am swearing by my own being.

I'm putting my deity on the line when I make this commitment to you."

And, the author of Hebrews picks that up in the New Testament when he says, "Because God

could swear by none greater, he swore by himself," and it was an oath by fire.

It was an oath demonstrated by the Shekinah Glory made visible to Abraham in the darkness

of the night.

Now here we have Abraham and Moses both having this experience of encountering the Shekinah

Glory of God in this fire that changes their lives.

Go fast forward to the New Testament, and we go to the book of Acts where the Apostle

Paul has his experience of conversion on the road to Damascus.

We read in Acts 9 these words: "Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against

the disciples of the Lord, went to the high 

priest and asked letters  from him to the synagogues

of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might

bring them bound to Jerusalem.

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven."

When he later recalls this before Agrippa, he adds "A great light.

Brighter than the noonday sun.

A blinding light, which was seen not only by Saul but those who were in his entourage."

"And he fell to the ground, and he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are

you persecuting me?'

And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?'

And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

So, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do you want me to do?'"

I hope you didn't miss the parallel there that when God appears to Moses, he calls him

by the repetition of his name, which I'll comment further on at some later date.

When he says to him out of that burning bush, "Moses, Moses."

Now, when the Shekinah Glory appears to Saul of Tarsus, the voice comes again out of the

midst of that brilliant, effulgent glory saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute

me?"

And, this is the moment.

This is the encounter that turns Paul's life upside down and makes him the greatest apostle

of the biblical era.

What is it that happened?

What did Paul meet?

He ran right up against the Glory of God, right up against the brilliant, resplendent,

beauty of the Shekinah.

Now there are other places where this takes place, but let me remind you of one that you're

all familiar with that accompanied not only the call of Moses and the call to Saul or

the promise to Abraham, but accompanied the very moment of the birth of Jesus.

Strangely enough, the Shekinah Glory wasn't in the cave.

It wasn't in the manger.

It wasn't with Mary and Joseph.

It was like it appeared to a bramble bush out in the fields outside of Bethlehem where

the shepherds were there tending their sheep.

And we read in the Christmas narrative by Luke that the Glory of God shown around about

them.

And, I like the old translation, "And they were sore afraid."

Terrified.

So the angels had to calm them down and say, "Don't be afraid."

The Angel of the Lord's coming here accompanied by this visible display of the Shekinah Glory

that should make us all tremble.

Nevertheless, they said, "We are coming with good news, with the best of all possible news.

For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem a Savior who is Christ the Lord."

We're going to explore in the weeks to come how this Shekinah Glory that changes Moses'

life, and changes Saul's life, and changes Abraham's life and changes all the world history

at Bethlehem is not just linked to God the Father but is understood and inseparably related

to the Second Person of the Trinity.

That whenever God appears in theophany with the Shekinah Glory, it's not just God the

Father we're dealing with here, as I hope we will see at our next time together that

ultimately what is being displayed is the Glory inherent of God the Son from all eternity.

So, it's not so much what was in that bush; it's who was in that bush.

Who was speaking to Moses centuries before Moses would speak to him  

on the Mount of Transfiguration,

which was clearly the most magnificent display of the Shekinah Glory anywhere in the New

Testament.

Where just as that bush was burning from inside and not the bush itself, so in the transfigured

Jesus, the Glory that was displayed there on the mountain, was not a reflection but

a Glory that burst through from his concealed deity.

Because, where the Shekinah is, dear ones, God is.