The Game That Never Ends

This totally went against the point of the game, but we would keep giving the loser money so they could keep playing.

Exodus 3:1-22

Reference: v.2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: When my friend and I were young, we used to play the longest game of Monopoly you could ever imagine… I’m talking three days! We would want the game to go on forever, so we wouldn’t allow the loser to become bankrupt. This totally went against the point of the game, but we would keep giving the loser money so they could keep playing.  Whenever the person losing would pick up a Community Chest card, it was always 50/50 as to whether it would be a good or bad result.  Seeing as though we had totally changed the point of the game, we would often cancel out any bad cards that were picked up. Even though a fine or income tax was written in black and white, we would just pop that card at the bottom of the pack and quickly go on with the game. If it was a good card, however, we would fulfil its directions.

Application: Many years after Moses had run away from Egypt, he had a burning bush experience. It was so clear that he was hearing from God – if the bush that was on fire but not burning up wasn’t a clear enough sign, then God spoke directly to him. We often desire a burning bush experience too; we want that occasion where we hear obviously and directly from God.  However, while Moses was humbled at his experience, it seems like he wasn’t that impressed with what God was saying to him. Although it was in black and white, I think Moses would have preferred to have taken God’s words and put them at the bottom of the deck without acting on them, just like we did in our Monopoly game. Many people desire that word from God, but often, when God makes himself very clear, it is usually to steer people in a difficult situation, one that we wouldn’t normally choose for ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you that you do speak to us in many different ways. May we not be select about which advice of yours we choose to take, but be committed and open to all your directions. Amen.

Why are we always so desperate to hear from God?

action, burning bush, Exodus, word