The learning of Egypt was not sufficient to equip Moses for his life-work. He is taken to the solitudes of the wilderness. TZhat is God’s college. All who have done the greatest work in the world have graduated there—Elijah at Horeb, Ezekiel at Chebar, Paul in Arabia, John in Patmos. God’s workers may take their arts course in the universities, but must take their Divinity course alone with him. Often in the midst of daily duty we come on the outshining of his Presence. Let us be on the outlook for it, and take off our shoes.

This burning bush has generally been taken as the emblem of the Church amid the fires of tribulation; but there is a deeper meaning. The fire was the token of God’s presence. The bush was unconsumed, because God’s love is its own fuel. Notice the successive steps: “T have seen”; “heard”; “know”; “am come down”; “will send.” The “ery” of the previous chapter is answered by the “coming down” of this. See Luke 18: 7.