The first event leading to the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt was the Burning Bush.

Almost forty years before their journey, God had already planned everything through this burning bush.

Every incident that happened to the Israelites teaches many spiritual lessons to people even today.

The Israelites, who were turned into slaves in Egypt, suffered for about 430 years.

God had already revealed this to Abraham when He appeared to him (Genesis 15:13–14).

As per God’s plan, the Israelites had to live as slaves in Egypt.

During this slavery, the people lost their patience and endurance completely.

For 430 years they cried out to God in great pain.

Finally, God heard their groaning. He saw them and had respect for them.

At the right time, God prepared the right person, Moses and began His work of deliverance (Exodus 3:1).

While Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law in the wilderness, he came to Mount Horeb.

There Moses saw a strange sight — a bush that was burning but not consumed.

Moses turned to look more closely.

• Firstly, the bush was burning, yet it remained green and was not burned up.
• Secondly, the place where the bush stood was declared holy ground.
• Thirdly, the fire that appeared in the bush was the fire of God.

The Burning Bush as a Symbol of the Living Church of God

This burning bush represents the Church of the Living God.

As we saw, the bush was not burned — it remained green, meaning it was full of life.

Green symbolises peace and life.

Firstly : The way God appeared in the Burning Bush was wonderful

In the bush, God the Father appeared (Exodus 3:15),

The Son, the Angel of the Lord — referring to the Lord Jesus Christ (Exodus 3:2),

and the Holy Spirit appeared as fire (Acts 2:3–4 and Exodus 3:2).

Thus, the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — revealed Himself through the bush.

The bush was green (alive), yet fire was burning in it, but it did not destroy it.

This shows the Church of the Living God (1 Timothy 3:15),

the Mountain of the Living God (Hebrews 12:22),

and the Temple of the Living God (2 Corinthians 6:16).

This bush represents His living and eternal Church.

Secondly : The place where the Burning Bush stood was holy

From the Scriptures, we learn that God is Holy (Leviticus 11:44).

He sanctifies us (Leviticus 21:8).

He has called us out of the world to make us holy,

and has established us as a holy congregation (Exodus 12:16).

Because He is a Holy God, we must fear Him (Isaiah 8:13).

When we fear God, even rulers and unbelievers will fear us (Mark 6:20).

Without holiness, no man can see God (Hebrews 12:14).

No human being can be holy by himself — holiness belongs only to God.

From the beginning, He revealed that He alone is holy.

Today, this same Holy God came into this sinful world,

stepping into a place filled with sin, to make us holy.

He is powerful enough to bring back to life those who were spiritually dead.

Therefore, He is called the Living Saviour (Psalm 18:46).

When Jesus was on earth, no one could point out any sin in Him (John 8:46).

In heaven, the heavenly hosts continually sing,

“Holy, Holy, Holy” before Him (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

Therefore, when God appeared in the bush, He revealed the importance of holiness.

Thirdly : The bush contained fire

This shows that the Church of God must have fire.

When there is fire in the Church, ungodly people cannot stay within it (Psalm 106:18).

Those who live without devotion will not remain forever —

they will be far from righteousness (Psalm 31:17),

they will soon vanish (Psalm 37:10),

and they will perish forever (Psalm 92:7).

Therefore, the Church must always keep the fire burning.

As written in Leviticus 6:12 — the fire on the altar must always be kept burning.

Before entering the temple, the priest Aaron would first burn the fat on the altar with fire (Leviticus 9:24)

and then wash his hands and feet in the basin before entering the sanctuary (Exodus 30:19).

In the present time, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is described as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).

His eyes are like flames of fire (Revelation 2:18).

His words are like burning fire that sets hearts aflame (Luke 24:32; Jeremiah 23:29).

At Mount Horeb, when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush,

He revealed His plan to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

This vision also shows how God delivers mankind from the bondage of sin.

From that day until His second coming,

God has been making every effort so that not one person should perish.

The Living Church of God means the Church that He purchased with His own blood.

Through this vision of the burning bush,

God reveals that He wants to make us part of that living Church —

to sanctify us as a Holy God,

to save us as the Living Saviour,

and to fill our hearts with His Holy Spirit fire

that burns away sin and strengthens us for His purpose.

Praise be to God!