Exodus 3: Take Off Your Sandals

Moses is 80 years old, tending sheep that aren't even his, somewhere at the back of the desert. He hasn't built an empire. He hasn't saved his people. By every worldly measure, his life is a failure. And then — a bush catches fire. And doesn't burn up.This is one of the most celebrated theophanies in all of Scripture, and it contains more theology than most of us will ever fully exhaust. The burning bush as a type of the Incarnation. The pre-incarnate Word of God appearing in fire. God revealing his personal name — I AM WHO I AM — for the first time in human history. And Moses, overwhelmed, asking the question we've all asked: Who am I?We explore the patristic readings of this chapter in depth, drawing on St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Augustine, and St. Athanasius. We also ask what it means for us today to "take off our sandals" — to approach God with reverence rather than familiarity.Key questions explored:• Why does God reveal himself to Moses specifically during quiet time in the desert?• What does the burning bush reveal about the nature of the Incarnation?• What does "I AM WHO I AM" tell us about the eternity and unchangeability of God?• Where is God calling us to remove our sandals — to stand on holy ground?