Many people are deeply moved by the story of the burning bush — that mysterious moment when God spoke to Moses from flames that did not consume the bush. It’s more than a miracle; it’s one of the most intimate encounters between God and man in all of Scripture.
When Moses fled Egypt and was tending sheep in the desert of Midian, he came to Mount Horeb — the “mountain of God.” There, he saw something astonishing: a bush on fire, yet not burning up. As he drew closer, he heard a voice call his name: “Moses, Moses!” And he replied, “Here I am.” It was then that the Lord revealed Himself: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
This was no ordinary vision. The fire represented God’s holiness — powerful, pure, and unchanging. The bush, unconsumed by the flames, showed how God’s presence gives life rather than destroys. The ground itself became holy, and Moses was told to remove his sandals, a sign of reverence before the divine. In that sacred moment, God called Moses to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt. Though Moses felt unworthy and afraid, God reassured him with words that echo through all of salvation history: “I will be with you.”
The burning bush reveals that God is not distant but personal — He knows our names, our fears, and our mission. It is also where God gave His sacred Name, “I AM WHO I AM” (Yahweh) — the mystery of His eternal being and faithful love. This name would become the foundation of Israel’s faith and the beginning of Moses’ lifelong vocation.
For us today, the story invites reflection on the “burning bushes” in our own lives — those moments when God tries to catch our attention through beauty, challenge, or silence. When we pause to listen, we may discover that He is calling us too, asking us to trust, to lead, or to love more deeply.
May the story of the burning bush remind us that God still speaks — not through distant thunder, but through the quiet fire of His presence that burns within every seeking heart.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
