Episode 822
Encountering the Divine: Lessons from Moses and the Burning Bush | Ep 822
This podcast episode delves into the profound themes of sacred ground and divine solidarity as articulated in Acts 7:30-34. We examine a pivotal moment in the narrative of liberation, specifically focusing on Moses' extraordinary encounter with the divine in the burning bush, which serves as a catalyst for the liberation of the children of Israel. Through this exploration, we present three salient points for contemplation: the revelation that holy ground often resides in unexpected locales, the divine attentiveness to human suffering, and the transformative potential inherent in encountering the divine. We further emphasize the imperative for individuals of faith to engage actively with contemporary injustices, thereby fostering a commitment to social transformation. Conclusively, we invite listeners to practice "holy ground awareness" in their communities, urging them to recognize and act upon the sacred potential present in places often deemed unholy.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
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Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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The examination of Acts 7:30-34 reveals profound insights into the nature of divine encounters and the inherent sacredness of spaces often overlooked by society. The episode begins with the dramatic encounter of Moses at the burning bush, a moment that signifies not only a personal transformation for Moses but also a pivotal point in the narrative of liberation for the Israelites. This divine encounter challenges the conventional understanding of sacredness, suggesting that true holiness can emerge in unexpected places, such as the wilderness, rather than within traditional religious institutions. This exploration compels us to expand our notions of where and how we might experience the divine in our own lives.
Central to this discourse are three key reflections drawn from Moses' experience. The first emphasizes the importance of recognizing sacred ground in unconventional locations, positing that holiness is often found where justice is actively pursued. The second reflection highlights God's intimate awareness of human suffering, as illustrated by the divine acknowledgment of the cries of the oppressed. This reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent but rather deeply invested in the plight of humanity, urging us to engage with contemporary issues of injustice. The final reflection addresses the transformative nature of divine encounters, suggesting that such moments often disrupt our comforts and lead to a call for action. This aspect invites listeners to consider how their own spiritual experiences can catalyze social transformation.
The episode concludes with a practical application, wherein listeners are encouraged to practice 'holy ground awareness.' This entails identifying and engaging with areas within their communities that may be deemed unholy or neglected, such as sites of social injustice. By reflecting on these spaces and taking actionable steps towards addressing the suffering present therein, we embody the principles of solidarity and justice that the episode advocates. The closing prayer further underscores the need for divine guidance as we navigate our roles as agents of change, reminding us that our encounters with the divine should propel us toward meaningful engagement with the world around us.
Takeaways:
- This podcast episode emphasizes the significance of recognizing sacred ground in unexpected places, challenging traditional notions of where divine encounters may occur.
- We learn the importance of divine attentiveness to human suffering, highlighting God's engagement with the oppressed in their moments of need and anguish.
- Moses's encounter with the burning bush serves as a powerful metaphor for personal transformation leading to social justice and liberation efforts.
- The episode encourages listeners to practice holy ground awareness by reflecting on areas in their community that may embody unrecognized sacredness and require attention.
- Listeners are prompted to consider their own actions in addressing suffering and injustice, moving from personal insight to collective responsibility.
- The discussion underscores that true spiritual encounters should inspire meaningful engagement with contemporary issues of oppression and exploitation.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddd
- Voice of God Daily
Transcript
Sacred Ground and Divine Solidarity A Study of Acts 7:30 34 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello good people.
Speaker A:Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh in inviting you to join me on my quest to get the audible word of God into two million ears.
Speaker A: million people by the end of: Speaker A:We are here at the beginning of the Lenten season.
Speaker A:We read daily from the Bible using the Revised Common Lecture.
Speaker A:We're in Year C and the second day of Lent.
Speaker A:We look to read the Bible in a way that's understandable.
Speaker A:We give you the New Testament lesson only through the Message version of the Bible.
Speaker A:We make it relatable by giving you a few points to ponder applicable giving you a action step to take.
Speaker A:We have a prayer and we do that all in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddd daily.com our website where you will find the Bible study method, the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Guide our reading today is from Acts 7:30 34 reading from the Message 40 years later, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, an angel appeared to him in the guise of flames of a burning bush.
Speaker A:Moses, not believing his eyes, went up to take a closer look and he heard God's voice.
Speaker A:I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Speaker A:Frightened nearly out of his skin, Moses shut his eyes and turned away and God said, kneel and pray.
Speaker A:You are in a holy place, on holy ground.
Speaker A:I've seen the agony of my people in Egypt.
Speaker A:I've heard their groans.
Speaker A:I've come back to help them.
Speaker A:So get yourself ready.
Speaker A:I'm sending you back to Egypt.
Speaker A:A powerful reminder here in this Bible study lesson today from Acts about sacred ground and divine solidarity, we explore this pivotal moment in the story of liberation, the liberation of the children of Israel and how Moses encounter with the divine with God in the burning bush sets the stage for what we all experience as men and women of faith.
Speaker A:Here's three points to ponder Finding Secret Ground in Unexpected Places the holy appears to Moses in the wilderness, not in a temple or religious institution.
Speaker A:This challenges our assumptions about where we encounter God in our contemporary context.
Speaker A:This suggests that sacred moments often emerge in unexpected places, perhaps protesting some injustice, maybe in a refugee camp, maybe in a community garden.
Speaker A:Holy ground isn't confined to a traditional religious space, but exists wherever justice and liberation are pursued.
Speaker A:A second point is a divine attention and attentiveness to suffering.
Speaker A:It says here I've seen the agony.
Speaker A:I've heard their groans reveals a God who is deeply attuned to human suffering and oppression.
Speaker A:This isn't a distant kind of far away God, a neutral deity, but one who takes sides with the oppressed.
Speaker A:This challenges comfortable spiritualities that avoid engagement with systematic injustice and calls us to similar attentiveness to contemporary forms of bondage and exploitation.
Speaker A:One more point, Transformation through encounter.
Speaker A:Moses, reaction, fear.
Speaker A:Shutting his eyes, turning away reflects how encountering God, encountering the divine often disrupts our comfort zones.
Speaker A:Yet this disruption leads to a commission for justice worked by Moses.
Speaker A:True spiritual encounters should move us from personal revelation to social transformation, from individual enlightenment to collective liberation.
Speaker A:Here's your action step for the day.
Speaker A:Practice some holy ground awareness.
Speaker A:That is, choose a location in your community, around your home, around your town that might be considered unholy.
Speaker A:You know, kind of the kind of the bad place to be by traditional standards.
Speaker A:Perhaps it's a homeless camp or prison or some environmental disaster area.
Speaker A:Visit the place you know, make sure it's safe and appropriate, or learn about it.
Speaker A:Reflect on how this space might be a holy ground calling for some form of action towards justice.
Speaker A:Then take some concrete step to to address whatever suffering is perpetuated by that place and do something about what you encounter there.
Speaker A:We're going to pray in just a moment.
Speaker A:I did want you to know that we have a resource for you that I really would like for you to take advantage of.
Speaker A:All you do is go to our VO to our website, which is voiceofgod daily.com just like it sounds.
Speaker A:Voiceofgod daily voiceofgod daily.com and there you're going to find our Bible study resource, which is the ABC123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:It's a simple process to help you read the Bible every day as a complement to what you hear on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Pick it up@voiceofgod daily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:God of burning bushes and broken places.
Speaker A:Open our eyes to recognize holy ground in unexpected corners of our world when we want to turn away from suffering.
Speaker A:Help us to look closer, to listen deeper.
Speaker A:Like Moses, we often feel inadequate in the face of overwhelming injustice.
Speaker A:Remind us that you hear the groans of the oppressed that you call us to be partners in liberation.
Speaker A:Give us courage to remove our shoes of comfort and privilege, to stand barefoot on the holy ground of solidarity and action.
Speaker A:May we, like Moses, move from encounter to engagement, from witness to action, from fear to fierce love.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, it's always a joy to be with you here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:I hope that you'll join me tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, we got over 800 episodes of this podcast available to you at Voice of God Daily.
Speaker A:Go over there and check them out.
Speaker A:Most importantly, will you join me tomorrow?
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6:00am Eastern Time, so please be with me here on the Daily Bible Refresh and this time, invite a friend to come.
Speaker A:Until then, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller and we'll see you remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
