Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

— Exodus 3:3

After fleeing Egypt in fear for his life (see Exodus 2:11-15), Moses settled in Midian. He got married and had children. He became a shepherd and learned the wilderness terrain over a period of 40 years.

But then God interrupted Moses’ ordinary life with the flickering light of a bush on fire that did not burn up. This strange sight caught Moses’ attention and awoke his curiosity. He went closer.

What catches my attention is that God called Moses from a bush. God could have spoken with a thundering voice or sent an angel to talk with Moses. Instead God used a small impossibility—a bush burning without being consumed—to bring Moses into an even more impossible situation—leading God’s people out of slavery in Egypt.

I am in awe at how God uses this unusual fire to rekindle hope in Moses and eventually among the people of God. God had seen their misery, heard their cries, and was moving to rescue them from their suffering and oppression in Egypt after more than 400 years. But the hope sparked by this strange sight is even bigger than Moses and Israel imagined. For, one day, God would do something even more impossible by sending his own Son to free us and all of creation from our bondage to sin, death, and decay.

Lord, rekindle hope in us during this Advent season. Help us to believe the seemingly impossible good news that in Jesus Christ you are setting us free from sin, death, and decay. In his name we pray. Amen.