December 3
The Angel of the Lord Appeared to Moses
There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” Exodus 3:2-3
Moses wasn’t overwhelmed—not at first. He was drawn by curiosity to an impossible bush. It remained intact while a flame danced within its leaves.
The Angel said, “I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (3:6). Though the names were packed with promise and shared history, Moses covered his face in fear. Glory will do that to you.
This was no created angel. The ground itself was holy.
The word angel refers to someone commissioned for a special task. A close reading of Exodus 3 reveals that this messenger of God is himself God (3:2,4).
Our thoughts fly to the preincarnate Christ, to the divine Word, to all the Father has to say to a miserable world in Christ his Son. “I have seen the misery of my people. . . . I have come down to rescue them” (3:7,8).
Why a flame? Well, fire is immaterial, luminous, and pure, warm but not safe. So far, so good.
But there’s nothing obvious about a burning bush. One Lutheran father mused at this spot about the two natures of the holy Christ Child at his incarnation. His humanity is full and real and somehow not consumed by the fullness of deity burning within. Astonishing.
God looked out through gray infant eyes to see our misery up close. A baby does not overwhelm. We are entangled by the mystery. Who is this? What sort of rescue can he bring?
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
the cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the Son of Mary! (CW 344:2)
We answer, in the Spirit, with wonder and worship. Glory will do that to you.
The Book on your nightstand does nothing to overwhelm. But there’s a fire within its leaves, the mysterious name of God that reads our minds and speaks to questions at the bottom of the soul.
O holy Flame, O Mary’s Son, are you the God of my fathers? Are you attentive to my distress? Are you here to rescue me?
I Am.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
your welcome shall proclaim,
and heav’n’s eternal arches ring
with your beloved name. (CW 313:4)
Rev. Dr. Mark Paustian serves Martin Luther College as a professor of English and Hebrew.
