Today we come across a real mystery. A man with three different names….?
He is most commonly known as “Jethro” the Father in Law of Moses. But in this passage (2:21) and in Numbers 10 he is called Reuel. And in Judges 4:11 he is identified as “Hobab”, but that can’t be correct, since in other places Hobab is the brother in law of Moses. So, in the KJV, Judges 4:11 lists Hobab as the Father in Law of Moses, and in the NIV and NLT he is noted as the brother in law of Moses (same passage). Just a little difference between the different translations.
Reuel could be the family name, or the grandfather’s name, or it could be an “informal” name. All of those options were popular in Moses’ day. In any case, they both clearly refer to the same person.
This account is told over and over again, so that most people are aware of it, and I probably don’t need to restate the key events again. Remember, the same word for the basket is the word used for Noah’s ark. The way the basket is made is very similar to the way Noah’s ark was made. God is rescuing His people, and is using familiar vehicles to do it. They will look back and say “that had God’s fingerprints all over it”.
It seems cruel that the people are allowed to suffer and be oppressed in Egypt. But I wonder if they would have left if they hadn’t been. Somewhere in this passage it says that the people grew more powerful as they were oppressed. I wonder if the removal of the finer things of life left them with little else to do but pro-create. In this way, the nation explodes with growth…all part of God’s plan.
And what better way to train a leader than to place him right inside Pharaoh’s house? That seems really cool….but have you stopped to consider how many babies were thrown into the Nile at about the same time? Those children are in heaven today, crying out for justice. And I think that they will see it at the final judgment. I remember the words that Joseph spoke to his brothers in chapter 50:20. “you intended it for evil, but God intended it for good”. God allows some pretty intense things to happen, but in the end He brings good from it. It’s humbling to be the one that God works through to bring about powerful change, and it’s humbling to know that your sacrifice, although unnoticed by the world is being used by God to set up a key event. Either way, it’s truly humbling to be a part of God’s wonderful plan. I just have to remember that God never said He would tell me what He is doing, or when He was going to do it; there’s a fair amount of trust involved.
The burning bush is a great metaphor for a “eye opening event” in our lives. When you have a flash of insight, where your purpose and direction in life all of a sudden become clear we call that a “burning bush moment”. Or, when you come to a place that you know is holy, and God speaks to you in very real and personal way, those are “burning bush moments”.
Fire is often associated with the presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s likely that the bush wasn’t “on fire” it was simply the powerful visible presence of God the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament when the disciples are sitting around a table and the Holy Spirit comes, (pentecost) it’s described as tongues of fire resting on each of their heads. It’s the Holy Spirit in visible form. In church speak it’s called the “shekinah presence” which means “settling” in Hebrew. It refers to the settling of the presence of God over the tabernacle in the desert. By the way, that presence was visible and at night, appeared as fire.
I pray that you have many burning bush experiences, and are able to rest in assurance that God is using you and your situation to further His kingdom.
Faithfully,
PR