Burning Bush
While tending his flocks at the mountain of God,
There, Moses encountered a circumstance odd.
A bush was on fire, or so he presumed,
But nary a branch of it: charred or consumed.
This caught his attention; he turned there to gawk,
When all of a sudden, it started to talk!
God called out to Moses as Moses drew near;
He said, “Moses, Moses!” Replied, “I am here!”
God said, “Do not draw near to where I am found,
And take off your sandals; you’re on holy ground.
The God of your father and Abraham, too,
And Isaac’s and Jacob’s God; all these I knew.”
Then Moses, this shepherd, then leaned on his crook.
He buried his face; he was too scared to look.
“My people’s afflictions have come to my eyes;
I know of their sufferings; I’ve heard their cries.
I’ve come to deliver them from Egypt’s hand
And bring them up out to a broad and good land
Where honey and milk flow, a wonderful site;
There’s just this small issue of all of those ‘ites.
Moses, I’ve heard all their cries and their pleas,
And you're my selection to help set them free.”
Then Moses balked big, said, “LORD, I’m not equipped
To lead Israel from the land of Egypt.”
“I will be with you, Mo; here is your sign;
You’ll all worship me on this mountain of mine.”
“When I go to the children of Israel,
What name do I tell them? Who sent me? Do tell.”
“Say, ‘the God of your fathers, of Abraham,
Of Isaac, of Jacob: I AM WHO I AM.’
Just go, they will listen, for you are my voice,
And Egypt as well, for they don’t have a choice.
When push comes to shove and I stretch out my hand,
They’ll give gold and silver, so you’ll leave their land.”
(from Exodus 3)
Copyright © Jeff Kyser | Year Posted 2022
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