God Speaks in the Wilderness
Acts 7:30–34 (NASB95)
30“After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush. 31“When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. 33“But the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. 34‘I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to rescue them; come now, and I will send you to Egypt.’
Acts 7:30–34 reframes the burning-bush encounter as a paradigm-shifting moment. God reveals Himself to Moses not in the Promised Land but in the wilderness of Sinai, declaring even this desolate place holy. Stephen’s inclusion of “Sinai” (not Exodus’s “Horeb”) highlights the mountain’s association with covenant law and God’s glory—anchors of Jewish identity—but subverts expectations by connecting holiness explicitly to the wilderness. This challenges Stephen’s accusers, who equate God’s presence solely with the temple. This signals that the Holy Spirit’s work is not confined to Jerusalem for Luke's audience.
Moses’ trembling response to the burning bush underscores the awe due to God’s holiness. Yet God’s command—“Take off your sandals”—serves as both reverence and readiness: Moses is called to act, not stagnate in fear. Similarly, Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:21–22) and Paul’s blinding vision at his conversion (Acts 9:4–16) follow divine interruptions that demand radical obedience. Moses’ commissioning foreshadows Jesus, who is “sent” (ἀποστέλλω) not to Egypt but to the cross (Luke 4:18–19), and Paul, sent to the Gentiles (Acts 26:17).
God’s declaration—“I have seen the oppression…heard their groaning…come down to deliver them”—reaffirms His covenant faithfulness. This triad of verbs mirrors Exodus 3:7–8 but deepens the connection to Christ, whose incarnation embodies God “coming down” to rescue humanity (John 1:14). Stephen subtly critiques Israel’s leaders: just as Moses’ people initially rejected him, Jesus’ own failed to recognize His divine mission (Acts 7:52).
Like Moses, we must attune ourselves to God’s voice in unexpected places. Whether in marginalized communities, cultural wildernesses, or personal crises, holiness isn’t limited to sanctuaries or certain individuals. When God calls, we should respond with reverent obedience, trusting that He equips those He sends. God’s concern for Israel’s suffering should compel the church-us-to hear and act on behalf of those enduring true injustice. Follow Jesus’ example: “He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the captives” (Luke 4:18).
Moses’ story reminds us that God still speaks in deserts, calls trembling servants, and delivers through unlikely means. May we listen, remove our “sandals” of complacency, and join His liberating work.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight