The God of thy father— In Acts 7:32 it is the God of thy fathers; which the following words prove to be the true meaning. Moses, terrified at the Divine appearance, hid his face: for what sinful mortal can dare to look upon God, before whom the very angels themselves cover their faces? Isaiah 6:2. See Genesis 17:3. 1 Kings 19:13. What we read, to look upon God, the Chaldee renders very properly, to look upon the glory of God.
The God of Abraham, &c.— See Matthew 22:32.
REFLECTIONS.—Moses seems as if he had forgotten Egypt; and Israel, as if no more remembered of their God; but this is the day of salvation. Moses, as usual, was attending his father's flocks, buried in obscurity, and humbly acquiescing in his employment. Learn, 1. When we can see God's call, to retire from the world becomes our duty, and the meanest occupation should be welcome. 2. If God be long before he calls us forth, it is because he is preparing us for what he hath prepared for us.
1. God appears to him in a flame of fire in a bush; and Moses, struck with the uncommon appearance, draws near to see this sight, a bush burning, yet unconsumed. The church of Christ is like this bush, frequently in affliction, but not destroyed.
2. God speaks to him out of the fire, and Moses answers. He is hereupon directed how to approach, with reverence and godly fear, in order to hear the revelation which God is about to make to him. Note; (1.) Attention to providences is a great means of keeping up communion with God. (2.) An obedient ear is ever open to instruction. (3.) In our appearances before God, the posture of our body should comport with the deep abasement and sacred awe which is upon our mind.
3. He makes himself known to him, as the Covenant-God of his fathers, to encourage his faith, and to engage his obedience. All the saints live to God. Those whom we reckon among the dead, are only removed into that better world, where life eternal reigns, Luke 20:37.
4. Moses is deeply affected with what he sees and hears. A sense of our own great unworthiness may well cover our faces with shame when we appear before God; and the more a saint of God experiences of his love, the deeper will be his humiliation before him.