Podcast Summary: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson

Episode: Burning, Yet Not Consumed
Date: February 27, 2025
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)

Overview

In this devotional episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson reflects on the meaning and significance of the burning bush encounter between Moses and God (Exodus 3). He explores how the image of the bush that burns without being consumed reveals profound truths about God’s nature—His independence, sufficiency, and gracious interaction with His people. The episode skillfully links Old Testament narrative, theological insight, and personal devotion, culminating in a connection to Blaise Pascal’s mystical experience of God as “fire.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Burning Bush as a Divine Revelation

• Recounting Moses’ Experience:
  • Ferguson describes the scene where Moses witnesses a bush on fire that is not consumed, emphasizing Moses’ probable amazement and reflection on this supernatural phenomenon.

    “It must have taken at least a few minutes before it dawned on him. Here was a bush burning, but apparently the fire was self propagating. It was in the bush, and yet the bush wasn’t the fuel that kept the flame alight.” (01:00)

• Theological Meaning:
  • The burning bush is presented as an “acted parable,” embodying God’s nature: absolutely independent, uncaused, needing nothing from creation to sustain Himself.

    “It was as though I am Yahweh. The Lord was saying, ‘Moses, there is none like me in heaven or on earth. I am who I am.’” (02:10)

  • The fire represents God’s presence—He is “completely independent of the bush for its existence.” (01:25)

2. The Paradox of Divine Immanence

• God with His People:
  • Although God is infinite and all-sufficient, He is not distant. Ferguson stresses that God “can make himself known in history. And more than that, he can come to be with his needy people and to save them.”

    “He is infinite and independent, but he’s not a prisoner of his infinity. In the mystery of his being, he can make himself known in history.” (03:10)

• Purpose of the Encounter:
  • God’s presence in the bush signifies not destruction but preservation and salvation for His people.

    “He comes not to consume them, but to preserve and save them.” (02:50)

3. Blaise Pascal’s “Fire” and Personal Encounter with God

• Historical Reflection:
  • Ferguson recalls philosopher Blaise Pascal’s famous mystical experience, documented and found sewn into his coat after his death, where he encountered God as “Fire.”

    “Here’s part of what was written on it… fire. God of Abraham. God of Isaac. God of Jacob. Not of the philosophers and savants. Certitude, Certitude. Feeling, Joy, Peace. God of Jesus Christ…” (04:00–04:30)

• Connection to Moses’ Experience:
  • Pascal’s encounter is paralleled with Moses’ experience: both moments of overwhelming awareness of God’s real, present, saving nature.

4. The Transformative Fire

• Contemporary Relevance:
  • Just as God’s fire transformed Moses and Pascal, Ferguson asserts that God’s “fire” comes to save and transform believers today.

    “For a day of trial on earth, Moses met with God. As the fire that burned, but was burning in a bush that was not consumed. The fire that came to save the people, the fire that transforms our lives.” (05:40)

5. The Invitation to Response

• Concluding Devotional Thought:
  • Ferguson ends inviting listeners into humble submission and joy before God, echoing Pascal’s “Total and sweet renunciation. Total submission to Jesus Christ. Eternally in joy.” (05:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sinclair Ferguson on God’s nature:

  “A fire was present in the middle of the bush, and yet the fire was completely independent of the bush for its existence. This was a fire like no fire Moses had ever seen.” (01:20)

• Sinclair Ferguson on God’s immanence and rescue:

  “He is infinite and independent, but he’s not a prisoner of his infinity. In the mystery of his being, he can make himself known in history. And more than that, he can come to be with his needy people and to save them.” (03:10)

• Reading Blaise Pascal’s Meditation:

  “‘Joy, joy, joy. Tears of joy. This is eternal life. That they know you, the only true God and him whom you have sent. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ…’” (04:45)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:08 – Introduction to the theme and context of the burning bush
• 01:00 – Description of the self-sustaining fire and its symbolism
• 02:10 – God’s statement: “I am who I am” and its implications
• 03:10 – God’s presence with His people for preservation, not destruction
• 04:00 – The reading of Blaise Pascal’s note and the personal experience of God as fire
• 05:10 – Reflection on transformation and submission in faith
• 05:40 – Closing devotional thought: the fire that transforms our lives

Final Thoughts

Sinclair Ferguson draws listeners into a thoughtful meditation on God’s self-revelation to Moses, the image of the burning bush, and the unchanging, saving presence of God with His people throughout history. By weaving in Pascal’s mystical experience, Ferguson connects profound theology with personal encounter, encouraging believers to respond with reverence, submission, and joy. The episode is quiet, contemplative, and invites its audience to “walk by faith, not by sight.”