English Service by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

THE GOD OF THE BUSH

SERIES: EXODUS- SAVED TO SERVE

TEXT: EXODUS 3:1-6

 

God’s most important Old Testament name was spoken by God Himself from a bush on fire. It reveals not only who and what He is, but this name is His covenant-keeping name. Eight other names of God are appended onto His covenant name. God’s names reveal what God is like. Today let us get to know the God of the bush. He is the same God who has saved you and the one we are worshiping today. Let us learn:-

WHAT IS IN A NAME?

  • Pharaoh once asked a good question, “Who is the Lord that I should serve Him?” who and what is God?
  • The Westminster Catechism has a great definition of God “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.”
  • God reveals Himself by making known or proclaiming His name. A God who is not known cannot be worshiped or served.
  • To worship God is to call upon His name-Gen. 12:8.
  • To worship God is to fear Him-Deut. 28:58.
  • To worship God is to praise Him-2nd 22:50.
  • To worship God is to glorify Him-Psalm 86:9.
  • It is wickedness to take His name in vain-Exodus 20:7 or to blaspheme Him-Lev. 18:21; 24:16.

MOST COMMON NAMES OF GOD IN THE SCRIPTURE

  1. ELOHIM “GOD”-Is the name that signifies the creative power and omnipotence of GOD. The plural form of Elohim foreshadows the revelation of the trinity.
  2. EL-SHADDAI-El-Shaddai is the name used with Abraham, Shaddai means “mountain” and is used with the conjunction with El, it means “Almighty God.” It also means God who is sufficient-Gen. 21:33.
  3. ADONAI-Adonai literally means “Lord, Master” It conveys the idea of rulership and dominion-Exodus 23:17; Isa. 10:16, 33.
  4. MELEK-Melek is the word speaking of God as “King.” Nebuchadnezzar said “I praise the King of heaven”-Daniel 4:37. David recognized God as king “The Lord is king forever and ever.” Psalm 10:16; Psalm 24:8, 10. I will exalt you my God the king”-Psalm 145:1.

Today we look at God’s special name reveled in connection with bringing Israel and us into covenant with Him.

Look at Exodus 3:1-7, 110, 13-14, “The God of the bush.”

  • BACKGROUND OF MOSES.
  1. Moses upbringing.
  2. According to the ancient historian, Philo (Life of Moses 1:13, Moses was the adopted son of Hatshepsut. She was her father’s only child and she was childless.
  3. Stephen said, “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds”-Acts 7:22.
  4. He knew he was of Israelite by birth and was willing to relinquish his Egyptian inheritance.
  5. Moses chose something better than ruling on the throne of Egypt a short time or having a closet full of gold, something better than dancing girls.
  6. Where are the Pharaohs of Egypt today? Where are the dancing girls of Egypt? They are dead and turned to dust.
  • Where is Egypt’s glory today? A few stone monuments are left, slowly turning into dust.
  • Had Moses chosen them that is all that would remain of his poor choice.
  • What Moses saw.
  • But Moses saw that the eternal glory of God’s kingdom would smash and triumph over all others.
  • Moses saw a city with walls made of precious stones where the streets are paved with gold and pleasures abound.
  • Moses saw Jesus Christ would make him an heir of it all and he would sit with Jesus on His throne and rule and reign!
  1. How petty the throne of Egypt looks next to the throne of God. How petty the thrones of this world.
  • How petty the gold of Egypt compared to the throne gold of heaven.
  • How foolish to choose the passing pleasures of this world over the eternal rewards of heaven.
  1. Moses weighed them on the scales; The best part of the world versus the worst past of eternal life and God’s kingdom easily won the contest.
  • Have you made the same choice?
  1. Moses made a mistake, he tried to save Israel without God, with carnal hands he killed an Egyptian and fled for the wilderness of Sinai. 40 wasted years.

40 years passed with Moses on the “backside of the desert.”

  • Out in the desert, no beautiful Egyptian girls, no good food, no pleasant sounds, smells, no entertainments, no internet and no running water.
  • He slept on the ground, ate locusts and honey, drank from the creak, desert heat, rugged country-what a life?
  • The devil mocked him, “what a fool you are to leave all that.” God has forgotten you.” It is worthless to serve God.” It was a very low life for a prince.
  • May be some of you are at a low place, God has not left you. God has a plan for your life.

WHO IS THE GOD OF ABRAHAM?

The God of the bush.

When Moses was there at Mt. Sinai kneeling before the burning bush, he asked God what His name was.

  • God replied “Tell the Israelites “I AM has sent me to you”-Vs. 14. “LORD” this name is used 7,000 times in the Bible.
  • Hebrew “havah”-“To live” (past, present and future).
  • It means the “eternal one” He is a covenant God.
  • This name is called the “Tetragrammaton” or “four consonants no vowels JHVH or YHWH. (YAHWEH) lives forever outside the realm of time, He lives in “eternity” the great “I AM.”
  • He is “self-existent one.”
  • Elohim-the creator God does not live away from His creation. He sees their need, comes down to help and save them-He is Jehovah the covenant God.
  • Elohim, Jehovah is the covenant God, covenant keeper-Malachi 3:6.

The hyphenated names of God.

These are the compound names of God JHVH.

  1. Jehovah-Jireh-Gen. 22:14, “God who provides.”
  2. Jehovah-Rapha-Ex. 15:22, “The Lord who heals.”
  3. Jehovah-Nissi-Ex. 17:15, “The Lord our banner.”
  4. Jehovah-Shalom-Judges 6:24, “The Lord our peace.”
  5. Jehovah-Rohi-Psalm 23:1, “The Lord my shepherd.”
  6. Jehovah-Tsidkenu-Jer. 23:6, “The Lord our righteousness.
  7. Jehovah-Tsuri-Psalm 19:14, “The Lord my rock.”
  8. Jehovah-Tsabaoth-1st 1:3, “The Lord of hosts.

CONCLUSION

  • Moses found out that the covenant-keeping God was going to keep His word. Because of His character His promises are true.
  • What do you want God to do for you today?
  • He has promised to deliver you from sin and afflictions. Let us pray to Him.
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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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