This is the first Bible Study encounter I've posted since we moved from aol to Blogspot, so I'm hoping the features will support the same format I used before.
For those of you who have never been to one of studies, I should explain… We use the Llanfair 'Theology' lectionary which follows a pattern devised by the Rev'd Dr. John Morgans. Each week we have a scripture passage (or passages) that we look at on Wednesday evening's bible study. We then read the same passage in Friday, Sunday and Wednesday morning worship – Monday is different because we worship with a class from the local primary school and we usually use Godly Play.
The group reads the passage and then considers six questions, designed to aid our thinking and get the discussion going. When we put them on the blog we invite you to join in by clicking on the 'comment' at the bottom of the post and leaving your own thoughts. For clarity the questions are in black, the group's response in Blue and my own cogitations in green.
This week's study looks at the extraordinary story of Moses' encounter with God in the desert, found in Exodus 3.
- In the past two weeks, we have looked at some of the things we learn about God in the Psalms. Using Psalm 139 and 140 we see that God is affirmed as creator, sustainer, a God who is involved with the everyday life of creation and, more than that delights in creation. Everything has its source in God and depends upon God for its life. What then, are some of the things we can learn about God in this passage?
God is a God of justice. God sees that the Hebrew people are being oppressed by the Egyptians and so seeks to liberate them. God is God of liberation; of mystery and wonder, caring; an active God; the one true God; reassuring; compassionate; a God who seeks out and provides company; God speaks; is the Foundation Stone of the Hebrew people; God knows everyone – no one escapes God's notice; God is Holy; God is alive; God is eternal, God has been with the people since the beginning and God will be with them at the end; God sends people and God goes with people; God works with people.
Wow, excellent stuff! As you can see this passage gives very clear messages about God's identity. There's no mistaking who God is, even if Moses doesn't get a specific name.
- Who is Moses when this passage opens and where has he come from?
He is a shepherd, a hired-hand working for his father-in-law Jethro. He isn't rich now, but he used to live in the Pharaoh's palace. He was brought up by the Pharoah's daughter and so would have had everything such a privileged up-bringing would provide. He also retained some Hebrew influence though as his own birth-mother was employed as his wet nurse. He would probably have had a good grasp of both Egyptian and Hebrew cultures.
At the time of this stoy's opening, Moses has made a new life for himself in Midian. Despite having grown up in the palace in Egypt, he can no longer live there because he killed an overseer who was mistreating a Hebrew slave. He had had to flee from Egypt. He found himself amongst foreigners but soon married into Jethro's family. He is living a life he can scarcely have imagined as a shepherd. Little does he know, he about to trade from shepherding sheep to shepherding a whole nation.
- God uses fire to attract Moses' attention – why do think God chose fire in the desert?
To catch his attention; fire is cleansing; is very visible; is a symbol of God's power; fire has significance for the Hebrew people – they use in their burnt offerings; to ward off wild animals; to keep warm. (It was noted that in the New Testament, John the Baptist speaks of Jesus as one who will baptize with fire – but we're concentrating on the Old Testament here folks)!
It may be that because fire is such a strong symbol and is often associated with power, God chose to show Moses that such power need not be destructive. When ancient people fought, they would often use fire as a weapon of war. Whole settlements would be raised to the ground; indeed God used fire to destroy the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. In this setting though, the fire that engulfs the bush causes it no harm whatsoever. This is an example not only of God's ultimate control over the elements, but also that God's use of power does not result in destruction(unless that what God wants). God can use the power of fire to give light and warmth yet not harm the bush that is engulfed by it.
- Why might God have chosen Moses? Is he a likely or unlikely prophet?
After discussion we thought Moses was actually a likely choice. He'd been brought up in the Egyptian Court, he would speak the language of the court and the language of the Hebrew people (given that his mother looked after him when he was small, it is likely she taught him much about Hebrew life). He is also likely to have known how to get into the court and how to address the Pharaoh – we wondered who else in the Hebrew nation might have had such knowledge?
We also considered his present task, leading sheep. The task that God was calling him do would turn out to be very similar in many respects. The skills he had learnt as a shepherd would soon be translated into taking care of people. Sheep and people have a lot in common!
- Why do you think Moses asks God for a name?
Moses doesn't know God? Is he worried? Perhaps it's because he now lives in a nation where there are many Gods, each of whom has a name.
Had Moses forgotten the Hebrew God? Maybe that's why God reminds him that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses has lived among foreigners for long enough, it's time for him to return to God and to God's people – to reclaim his true identity.
- From verse 16 onwards God's words are very specific. Why do you think there is so much detail?
God is trying to 'hammer it home' to Moses. Moses' mission is very important, so God needs to make sure that Moses understands the task; God is also explaining what will happen when Moses does as he is asked; this is a reassurance. When Moses does as he required, People will see that God is at work in Moses.
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