Mountain of God

Exodus 3:1-12
Moses at the Burning Bush
 
In this passage, God dwells on a mountain, a particular mountain, in fact, Horeb and later named Sinai. This one particular mountain is considered God’s mountain, God’s own real estate. It was believed that Ancient Near Eastern deities often dwelled on mountains. In Greek Mythology, the gods lived on Mount Olympus because it was higher and closer to the heavenly realm, in which they could look down upon and rule the mortals. But God did not look down upon the people on this particular mountain. God appeared there to Moses and made plans for him to bring the Israelites there to join God on God’s mountain.  
 
It was considered God’s mountain because God appeared to Moses there. This is the first time God appeared to Moses on the mountain, but certainly not the last. Moses would often go to “the mountain of God” to commune with God and to seek guidance. God’s covenant with the Israelites was made on the mountain, and it was this very place that God brought the Israelites to “myself,” as God said in Exodus 19:4. God released the Israelites from bondage because he heard their cry, but also so God could bring them to this holy place on the mountain to worship.
 
Sometimes it is helpful to meet God in a specific place. Since God is Spirit and invisible, it is often hard to feel a connection to something we can’t see. Perhaps that is why God began appearing in specific places and in real elements, so that we can feel a real connection to God. God called Moses and the Israelites to this real place, so they could experience the living God.
 
God also appeared through fire in the burning bush as a way to get Moses’ attention. Moses was busy with his daily tasks of herding sheep when out of nowhere he saw a burning bush. But there was something different about it. It wasn’t just a bush on fire. It would not burn up, which made it so obvious that there was something miraculous going on. Moses’ curiosity caused him to stop what he was doing and investigate. When he turned his attention toward the miraculous, God spoke to him.
 
God called Moses by name, and told him that he was standing on holy ground. This is the first time “holy” is used in scripture to describe the presence of God. The ground itself is holy because it is the mountain of God, where God dwells. God is on the mountain and in the mountain as well as in the elements upon it. All of it is holy because God is there.
 
However, God doesn’t stay only on the mountain. God promises Moses, “I will be with you” (v.12) when Moses goes to bring the people back from Egypt. God is on the move and will show the Israelites that God can dwell in many places. But, first, God must bring them to this holy place, the mountain of God.
 
Where does God dwell for you? Is there a specific “go to” place where you go to connect with God’s presence? Do you consider this place holy ground?
Have you experienced God on a mountain or through fire?
When has God been with you, particularly when God has called you to something?
 
Perhaps, this week, you can go to your place that you consider is holy ground. Connect with God in a special, specific place on God’s mountain.