theological foundations: study notes

let's go deeper

theological foundations

theophany and divine presence

- burning bush as theophany (visible manifestation of God)

- fire symbolizes God's presence throughout scripture

- unconsumed bush shows God's preserving grace

- parallels other supernatural fire (Daniel 3, Acts 2)

- demonstrates God's transcendence and immanence

- holy ground theology

- sanctification through God's presence

- removal of sandals signifies:

- submission to divine authority

- recognition of God's holiness

- stripping of earthly connections

- pattern continues in tabernacle/temple worship

divine calling and preparation

- Moses' preparation for ministry

- royal egyptian education (Acts 7:22)

- wilderness shepherd training

- Levitical priesthood heritage

- God's sovereign timing in calling

- characteristics of divine calling

- comes with divine enablement

- requires human response

- includes specific commission

- often meets initial resistance

covenant theology

- God's identification: "I AM WHO I AM" (Yahweh)

- look up the “I AM” statements

- eternal self-existence

- covenant faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

- promise fulfillment through generations

- basis for future deliverance

practical hermeneutics

typological significance

- Moses as type of Christ

- the deliverer of God's people

- mediator of covenant

- shepherd of God's flock

- confronter of worldly powers

- egypt as type of bondage

- represents slavery to sin

- worldly system opposition

- need for divine intervention

- pattern for spiritual warfare

prophetic elements

- signs and wonders

- authentication of divine message

- demonstration of God's power

- continuing role in Church

- relationship to faith

pastoral applications

spiritual formation

- encountering God's holiness

- personal preparation

- heart posture

- response to conviction

- ongoing sanctification

leadership principles

- overcoming inadequacy

- focus on God's character vs human ability

- importance of divine equipping

- role of community support

- progressive revelation of calling

prayer and intercession

- approaching God's presence

- reverence in prayer

- faith-filled petitions

- waiting on divine timing

- corporate implications

practical disciplines

study methods

- examine historical context

- connect to broader biblical narrative

- apply typological interpretation

- seek pastoral applications

action items

- read Exodus 4 and Acts 7

- analyze Moses-God dialogue

- consider personal applications

- join study community

preparation focus

- theological reflection questions:

- how does Exodus 4 reveal God's character?

- what patterns of divine calling emerge?

- where do we see Christ prefigured?

- how does this apply to Church today?

prayer

"Holy God, grant us a deeper understanding of Your Word, reverence in Your presence, and courage to respond to Your calling. shape us through Your truth and prepare us for Your service."

note: these theological insights serve to deepen our understanding of God's redemptive work through history and in our lives today.