In Exodus 3-4, Moses finds himself in the very place that God is going to call him to lead the people out to. Moses must trace first the planned journey to Horeb or Sinai, there to meet the Lord God. He is the representative of his people.
Horeb is described as “Holy Ground”. In other words, this is God’s place. This is important because Moses isn’t just in exile from the promised land. He is in exile from exile. You might say that if NT Wright talks about the new creation as “life after life after death.” Then this mirrors that with “death after death.” Yet even here in the wilderness, God is present and so to be where God is means to be in his place.
Moses, represents God’s people, but he shows the same stubborn and disobedient streak that the people later will in the wilderness. He provokes God to anger just as the people will do. Yet, even so, God both provides for him with assurances, signs and his very name and protects him by demonstrating that neither snakes nor leprosy can destroy him. He provides someone to speak for him and on the road home provides protection for Moses against the danger of judgement.
All of this points to Jesus who will be the obedient and faithful firstborn son and leader of God’s people. Jesus’ sacrificial death will provide a blood covering for God’s people and first as “Emmanuel, God with us” Jesus will “pitch his tent among us”, making his presence, his place with humanity in our exile from God’s promises. Jesus would then send the Holy Spirit to be present with God’s people
Faithroots 