Window 3 :: The Presence of God

Panel 1 - The Burning Bush

This panel depicts the burning bush that Moses encountered in Midian. God appeared before Moses as a burning bush that would not be consumed. God told Moses to return to Egypt and to tell Pharoah to release the Isrealites from their slavery. Within this window, the burning bush represents God’s presence with us and his plan for salvation. In fire and light he is present, and just like his declaration to free the Israelites, God is working to free us from sin. 

Panel 3 - The Golden Calf

This panel depicts the Golden Calf that the Israelites created and worshipped while Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Moses had ascended the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. Because Moses had been on the mountain so long, the Israelites insisted that Aaron make them an idol to worship. God said he would destroy the Israelites for this sin, but Moses prayed for grace, and God did not destroy them. Moses then left the mountain and forced the Israelites to tear down the idol. This panel represents Israel’s tendency to abandon God and turn to idols of their own creation--a tendency which we share even today. Despite God’s liberation and providence for Israel in the wilderness, they still turned away. 

Panel 5, 6, 7, 8 - The Pillar of Fire and the Ten Commandments

In response to the previous panel, a pillar of fire and the Ten Commandments are declared in these panels. The Pillar of Fire led the Israelites by night in the wilderness and was the actual presence of God with His people. Later the pillar came to dwell in the tabernacle. Here the pillar is contrasting the golden calf. Instead of a false idol that is physically present with Israel, the real God has come to dwell among his people. Within this pillar are the tablets that have the Ten Commandments written upon them. These represent the scriptures and commandments of God.