God Speaks Through Sacred Encounters and Experiences
Daily Scripture
Exodus 3:1-6
1 Moses was taking care of the flock for his father-in-law Jethro, Midian’s priest. He led his flock out to the edge of the desert, and he came to God’s mountain called Horeb. 2 The LORD’s messenger appeared to him in a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was in flames, but it didn’t burn up. 3 Then Moses said to himself, Let me check out this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t burning up.
4 When the LORD saw that he was coming to look, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!”
Moses said, “I’m here.”
5 Then the LORD said, “Don’t come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground.” 6 He continued, “I am the God of your father, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Rabbi Michael Zedek, author of Taking Miracles Seriously, preached at Resurrection on September 7. In this week’s GPS, we read and reflect on six Scriptural passages that Rabbi Zedek spoke to specifically in his excellent book.
Remember that Rabbi Zedek said (we quoted it on Monday): “The Hebrew Bible employs the story form not to convey facts but to express values.” * This seemingly simple story demands our closer attention. So Rabbi Zedek noted, “I do not believe bushes talk—in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, or English. But I do think we may hear ourselves addressed and experience a sacred dimension in a multitude of encounters…. I would argue such is possible with all things and in all experiences.” **
- What value did this story of an unburnable talking bush express? “God’s presence in the fire of the burning bush is a foretaste of the dramatic fire linked with God’s presence on Mount Sinai later in Exodus 19:18. Fire is a frequent image of God’s presence in the Bible (Genesis 15:17; Exodus 40:38; Isaiah 29:6; Acts 2:3)…. The God Moses encounters at Horeb is the same God Moses’ ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) worshipped in past generations (Genesis 28:13; 48:15).” *** What does it mean for you to trust that that same God is with you?
- What about “God’s mountain called Horeb”? Scholar Peter Enns noted, “The holy mountain… is called Horeb in 3:1, as it is in 17:6, 33:6, and a bunch of times in Deuteronomy. Everywhere else in Exodus (beginning at 16:1 and especially in chapters 19 and 34), Horeb is called Sinai…. More important than being consistent was preserving these varied traditions.” **** The point is, God met Moses and sent him to free God’s enslaved people. What was the miracle: a talking bush or God-given freedom?
Prayer
Loving Lord, preserve me from becoming deaf to all the ways you speak into my life. Help me to always be attentive to how I may hear myself addressed in all things and all experiences. Amen.
GPS Insights
Jennifer Creagar
Jennifer Creagar, who serves as the Community Assistance Coordination Director in Resurrection's Congregational Care Ministry, wrote today's Insights. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
I hope you got to hear Rabbi Zedek on Sunday. It is available online. You can find it here: https://resurrection.church/series/miscellaneous-2025-sermons/
I was really touched by his message. Before the day was over, I had downloaded his book, Taking Miracles Seriously, to my e-reader and I am enjoying it very much. Last night I noted that I have underlined almost a paragraph per page, and written notes to myself in a notebook almost constantly. I do that with books.
And then it hit me.
When Rabbi Zedek says, “I do not believe bushes talk–in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, or English. But I do think we may hear ourselves addressed and experience a sacred dimension in a multitude of encounters…”I realize I am experiencing a great miracle every time I read–books, the GPS, poetry, emails and more. How is it not a miracle that a bunch of shapes on paper come together to bring me God’s Word, information, laughter, new thoughts and stories that entertain and make me think? What an enormous and miraculous blessing this is!
I take reading for granted. There are other chances to experience the sacred in things I enjoy, but often don’t think of them in that context. The beautiful clouds outside my window this morning after the rain. The wind blowing in the trees, which have always reminded me of the closeness of God and the Holy Spirit. A friend bringing me understanding and care in a short conversation that heals my heart. A song to sing in praise and prayer.
Rabbi Zedek notes that sacred dimension can always be present “with all things and in all experiences.” I feel God calling me to just look, and listen, and, yes, read with this truth in mind.
Lord, whose every word and work and presence is a miracle, thank you for opening our eyes to see your miracles, and feel your closeness as we live each day. Help me to not only see, but seek these miracles and in that way come closer to you. Amen
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Zedek, Michael, Taking Miracles Seriously: A Journey to Everyday Spirituality (p. 56). Sutherland House Books. Kindle Edition.
** Ibid., p. 29.
*** Dennis T. Olson, study notes on Exodus 3:2, 6 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 86 OT.
**** Enns, Peter, Exodus for Normal People (pp. 34-35). The Bible for Normal People. Kindle Edition. Enns also observed, “’What is Moses doing grazing sheep all the way down there, at least 75 miles from Midian?’ Answer: He’s not. Logically speaking, Moses would not have taken Jethro’s sheep deep into the wilderness, but somewhat reasonably nearby—in or around Midian.”
