Theophany

In my preparations to lead Exodus Bible studies this week, I came across the word "Theophany." It means "appearance of God."
In this weeks focus story from Exodus the theophany comes in the form of a burning bush. God calls Moses from his job as a shepherd to be the one who will lead the Hebrew people out of bondage. To say that Moses was hesitant puts it lightly! He comes up with many reasons why he can't do it and for each reason God gives a response.
God speaking to Moses from the bush was theatrical, shocking and more than a bit scary for Moses! As I ponder what happened to Moses, I also find myself wondering why God doesn't speak to me in that fashion. There have been many times in my life when I wished I could have experience a theophany the way Moses did! Perhaps God tried and I wasn't listening. Perhaps I was listening to me rather than to God. Perhaps I couldn't see the burning bush that was right in front of me.

Shalom,
Paul Petersen, Campus Minister/Intern/Avid Theophany Watcher