The flames in the bush quickly weaken and fade away to nothing. As Moses stares at it, there is no visible evidence of any fire, no residual smoke, no blackened leaves or charred limbs. But in slowly turning to make his way back to the flock, Moses knows there is no denying the more compelling evidence in his mind and his heart. He has just been personally visited by the God of his fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and commissioned to confront the mighty Pharaoh of Egypt.
Back to the court again (let’s hope Moses and Aaron have frequent flier miles).
“How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?” God’s message to the Duke of Duplicity is another warning, not just of the next plague but of the seriousness of Pharaoh’s missteps as well.
Finally, in the middle of the night, the Israelites are asked to leave — by everyone, by Pharaoh and by all the Egyptians. They fear for their very lives and are anxious to see an end to this troubling time of turmoil and terror.
The Israelites rejoice in the mighty power of their God and worship him and put their trust in him and in his servant Moses. They have made their exodus, their exit, from Egypt. Next stop: Canaan, the Promised Land.
