The Thorny Bush

The big story about Moses and the burning bush seems to be that the bush burns but is not consumed. However, I chanced upon this translation

 And the Angel of Jehovah appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a thorn-bush: and he looked, and behold, the thorn-bush burned with fire, and the thorn-bush was not being consumed. And Moses said, “Let me now turn aside and see this great sight, why the thorn-bush is not burnt.”

(Exodus 3:2-3, Darby)

The Darby Translation of the Bible is a reliable translation by John Nelson Darby. More than 125 years after its introduction, it is still considered to be one of the most accurate English translations of the Bible.

A thorn bush puts a different slant on the story, doesn’t it? The bush does not burn and the thorns do not burn. I venture my own translation of that.

God’s love endures forever, but following Christ comes with thorns. Paul was afflicted with a thorn in his flesh. (See 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). He never tells us what the thorn is, only its purpose.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

(See 2 Corinthians 12:7)

How are you making out with your thorns?