What other biblical instances show God's presence in unexpected ways, like Exodus 3:2? A Burning Bush Opens the Conversation – Exodus 3:2 “Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses looked and saw that the bush was burning with fire, yet it was not consumed.” God’s glory blazes out of an ordinary desert shrub—an invitation to expect His nearness anywhere. A Whisper on a Wind-Swept Mountain – 1 Kings 19:11-13 • Elijah stands on Horeb. • “After the fire came a gentle whisper.” (v. 12) • The Almighty who split the Red Sea now meets a weary prophet with nothing louder than a hushed breath. A Talking Donkey on a Dusty Road – Numbers 22:28-31 • “Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you, that you have beaten me these three times?’” (v. 28) • A beast of burden becomes Heaven’s megaphone, calling a stubborn seer to attention. A Commander with Drawn Sword – Joshua 5:13-15 • Joshua confronts a mysterious warrior. • “I have now come as Commander of the Lord’s army.” (v. 14) • Worship on the outskirts of Jericho reminds Israel that every battlefield is ultimately holy ground. A Fourth Man in a Fiery Furnace – Daniel 3:24-25 • Nebuchadnezzar peers into the flames: “I see four men unbound... and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” • The heat that should kill becomes a sanctuary when God chooses to step inside. A Star and a Manger – Luke 2:7-11 • Majesty arrives in a feeding trough. • Angels fill the sky; shepherds become first-responders to Good News. • “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.” (v. 11) Mountain Light and a Cloud-Voice – Matthew 17:2-5 • Jesus shines “as bright as the sun.” • A cloud overshadows, and the Father speaks: “This is My beloved Son... listen to Him.” (v. 5) • Heaven briefly parts so three disciples can glimpse glory. Tongues of Fire in an Upper Room – Acts 2:1-4 • “Divided tongues as of fire appeared and came to rest on each of them.” (v. 3) • The same God who lit the bush now ignites believers, turning a private prayer meeting into a global launch. Blinding Light on the Damascus Road – Acts 9:3-5 • “Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him... ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’” • An enemy of the gospel collides with the risen Christ and emerges an apostle. Putting It Together • God delights in turning the ordinary—bushes, whispers, livestock, furnaces, mangers—into sanctuaries. • His presence is not confined to temples or expected rituals; it breaks in wherever He wills. • Each encounter calls for the same response Moses gave: turn aside, listen, and obey. |
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