418. EXO 3:2. THE BURNING BUSH A TYPE OF THE CHURCH
Exo_3:2. The Burning Bush A Type Of The Church
"Behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed."’97Exo_3:2.
The striking phenomenon which arrested the attention of Moses, was intended doubtless to suggest a variety of important particulars to the mind of that servant of God. God chose it for the purpose of revealing his mind and designs respecting his afflicted and oppressed people. One of the most sublime emblems of deity is fire; and here, out of the midst of the flame, Jehovah spoke, and proclaimed himself the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He also made known his gracious purpose of delivering his people from their Egyptian task-masters, and bringing them unto the good land flowing with milk and honey. It is impossible to conceive of a scene more solemn and magnificent than that the text presents before us. In the dreary deserts, where Sinai and Horeb lifted their awful summits and sublime grandeur, behold, a bush enveloped in flames. Moses, the servant of God, witnessing with devout astonishment the bush still unconsumed, is about to draw near to inspect the wondrous sight, when God makes known the sanctity of the spot, and commands him to draw near with reverence, for the place on which he stood was holy ground. The voice of God’97the burning unconsumed bush’97the prophet Moses’97the projected emancipation of the hundreds of thousands of enslaved Israelites. What topics for instructive meditation! But we confine ourselves to the bush, and in that we see a striking type of the church of God. Observe.
I. The Metaphor itself.
"A bush." Apparently mean, worthless, and perishing. Just what the church appears to be, and the estimation in which it is held by the world. Nothing in it of worldly grandeur. No earthly pomp. No human embellishments. No temporal glory. Like its head and Lord, as "a root out of a dry ground, without form and comeliness." Was it not so in the time of Moses, oppressed and grieved in Egypt? In the time of the Saviour? Behold his disciples Not many great or learned, chiefly the poor, &c. Has it not ever been so to a very great extent? Is it not so now? The true church of Jesus, but composed of the humbler ranks of life; still a mere bush; overlooked, despised, contemned; deemed insignificant and worthless.
II. Its present Condition.
A bush in the "desert." Such is the condition of Christ’s church, situated in a desert. In the desert of the world. Brought out of Egypt, yet not established in Canaan. To the spiritual soul, the soul is in a dreary, barren wilderness. Bleak, sterile, and deficient in those supplies the renewed soul requires. Exposed to tempests and storms. Liable to the fierce attacks of beasts of prey. The very opposite of what she shall be, when caught up to the verdant scenes of the heavenly paradise. Observe,
III. Its suffering State.
"The bush burned with fire." It has often happened that the people of God have had literally to go through flames to heaven. In the first Christian persecution the fires of martyrdom were scarcely ever extinguished. But fire is the symbol of extreme suffering. The state of the church in the world is that of suffering. Thus Peter speaks of the trial of faith being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire," 1Pe_1:7. again, he says, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you," ch. iv. 12. In all ages and countries the spirit of the world has been opposed to the spirit of the people of God. The seed of the serpent have ever hated, and, to the very utmost of their ability, persecuted the people of God. Thus Cain murdered Abel. Ishmael mocked Isaac. Pharaoh oppressed the Israelites. And all generations of God’s people have experienced that only through much tribulation could they enter the kingdom. These fiery sufferings are, however, purifying in their nature. They are allowed and overruled for the church’s real good, and they not only conform the members to their suffering head, but. work out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
IV. The Divine Preservation.
"And the bush was not consumed." Fire was adapted to destroy it. A mere bush is soon burned. But not so here. The flame consumes it not. It is preserved amid hottest flames. Now consider this,
1. As an historical fact.
The church has ever been hated and persecuted, yet never destroyed. Ever in flames, yet never consumed. Indeed, her sufferings preserved her purity, and in proportion to her purity has she ever flourished. The winds of persecution scattered the disciples everywhere, and wherever they sojourned, the truth was established and prevailed. From the ashes of the martyrs a numerous progeny sprang forth, which no power could destroy; which no fires could burn. Amid all the changes, and wars, and revolutions of the world, the feeble bush has remained "unconsumed." Consider this,
2. As to its true cause.
"God has dwelt in the midst of the bush." God has been on her side; yea, he has been in the midst of her, therefore she has lot been consumed. Thus did he preserve he three Hebrew worthies in the fiery furnace. What he did for them he has ever done for his people. He has been with them, and round about them, and therefore their enemies could not prevail against them. He has witnessed all the malignity with which she has been treated. He has seen every weapon which has been formed against her. He has hearkened to all the stratagems of her foes. And when they have counselled to raze her foundations, or to consume her with flames, he who dwelt within her, held them in derision. He who sat on high, laughed, when the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers took counsel together, Psa_2:1-4.
Application
1. The subject admonishes those of God’s people who complain of sufferings. This is the necessary state of the church here. Suffering must precede glory. The cross must be borne before the crown is given. "If we suffer with him," &c. All have been meetened and gone to heaven this way.
2. The subject is full of consolation. In every trial God is in the midst of her. He is our help and our shield. He will never leave nor forsake, neither shall his cause ever perish from the earth.
3. Let persecutors remember that they fight against God. They cannot prevail their madness will involve them in awful and interminable ruin. The enemies of the church of Jesus have perished, but the cause they hated and persecuted still lives. Still in flames, yet unconsumed!
4. Let Christians act worthy of the divine presence. God is with us; then how seriously, and reverently, and holily, should we walk before him. His eye is upon us every moment: then with what hallowed care should we strive to do those things pleasing in his sight. Be patient and resigned, yet unyielding and resolved; stand fast in the faith; quit yourselves like men; be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. If God be for us. and with us, who can be against us?
Autor: JABEZ BURNS