Daily Devotional | Meeting God

Rainbow eucalyptus trees are found in countries including Indonesia and the Philippines. Growing up to 250 feet high, they smell like honey, pine, and mint. Most amazingly, their trunks feature glowing colors. As the tree sheds strips of bark, different colors appear—green, red, orange, purple, and brown.

If we ever saw one of these strikingly beautiful trees, we’d no doubt stop for a closer look. That’s what Moses did in today’s reading when he saw a bush that was clearly burning but did not burn up (vv. 2–3). Moses had been taking care of sheep on “Horeb, the mountain of God” (v. 1), which is either another name for Mount Sinai or another mountain in the same region.

God first told Moses about Himself. He was the God who had made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (vv. 6, 15). Out of His covenant love and faithfulness, He intended to rescue His people from bondage and bring them to the promised land (vv. 7–10). His name then and today is simply “I AM,” indicating presence and faithfulness (v. 14; see John 8:58).

God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses at first responded with reverent fear, obediently taking off his shoes, hiding his face, and expressing a sense of unworthiness (v. 11). The Lord answered, “I will be with you,” and promised that he and the Israelites would worship God on that very mountain (v. 12). Moses, however, was reluctant. He doubted people would listen to him (v. 13) and claimed to be a poor public speaker (4:10). We are told, in fact, that he “was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action” (Acts 7:22). God’s response: “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (4:12).

>> Moses’ life can be divided into three periods: 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years in the Exodus. What might God have for you to do in the final third of your life?