Moses had fled Egypt; because, he killed a man to defend a Hebrew who was being mistreated. In the Sinai he married a daughter of Jethro, described as the priest of Midian. He was tending the flocks of his father-in-law when he noticed a burning bush that was not consumed. Out of the bush God called to him, “Moses, Moses.” Moses responded, “Here I am.” The Lord instructed him to take off his shoes; for, Moses was standing on holy ground. The Lord instructed Moses to return to Egypt to lead the people out of oppression.
When Moses asked for God’s name, the Lord replied “I AM WHO I AM.” He is the very same God as appeared to the patriarchs–the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses met the Lord into whose face he feared to look. In this scene one reads of the holiness of God. The holy God calls Moses to bring the people out of the house of bondage. Other texts in the Old Testament describe individuals who encounter the holy God. Isaiah in chapter 6 of his prophecies has a vision of the heavenly court. God is on His throne attended by seraphim, angelic beings. The seraphim cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts ; the whole earth is full of his glory!” In this scene Isaiah is commissioned to go to Israel to announce to the people God’s judgment. A seraphim placed a live coal on Isaiah mouth, symbolic of the fact that his sins are forgiven. “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” are God’s words that Isaiah overheard. Isaiah responded, “Here I am, send me.” (“Here I am” is a typical response of those who hear the voice of God).
Moses is commissioned to go to oppressed Israel in Egypt. It all began with the call of a holy God in a magnificent vision.
We too can be aware of the holiness of God–the Other who is Creator as we are creatures. Where may we encounter God’s holiness? The whole world is His; thus, the world is holy because of His holiness. All things good manifest the work of His hand. There are also places and events known especially for their revelation of the holiness of God. Among them are the Holy Sacraments. Note Saint Thomas Aquinas’ words in his great hymn:
Thee we adore, O hidden Savior thee,
Who in thy Sacrament art pleased to be;
Both flesh and spirit in thy presence fail,
Yet here thy presence we devoutly hail.
And the last verse:
O Christ, whom now beneath a veil we see:
May what we thirst for soon our portion be,
To gaze on thee unveiled, and see thy face,
The vision of thy glory and thy grace. Amen
Lutheran Book of Worship, Hymn 199)
God in Christ is present in Word and Sacraments in which the hidden God reveals Himself. God hid Himself in the cross of Jesus Christ; yet, He was working to fulfill His purpose.
Few of us are given the privilege of seeing God more directly. Moses, the other prophets, and the apostles have had such experiences. I John says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him; because, we shall see him as he is.” (I John 3: 2 ESV) We are assured that we will see Christ at the end of all things. For now, He is Deus absconditus, the hidden God)
Some observations:
- God is holy. He is in all places. One cannot escape from his presence. (Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139: 7 ESV– These are rhetorical questions. God is, of course, everywhere).
- The world by participation in God is holy. (The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers). (Psalm 24: 1 ESV)
- There exist special places, action, and people who reveal the holiness of God.
- Those called by God for a task are aware of His holy presence; for, God reveals Himself to them.
- We are called to witness to others about God in Christ. All of us have this mission. Our awareness of His presence is associated with His call to us.
Michael G. Tavella
November 13, 2024
