The Fire That Never Dies: St Catherine’s Monastery
At the foot of Mount Sinai, tucked away in the rugged, sun-scorched mountains of the Sinai Peninsula, lies St Catherine’s Monastery. As one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, its fame reaches far beyond its ancient walls or its priceless icons.
It is home to two of the most significant biblical landmarks in history: The Burning Bush and Moses’ Well.
The Bush That Was Not Consumed
Walking into the monastery courtyard, you encounter a vibrant, green bramble known as the Rubus sanctus. According to tradition, this is the very spot where Moses encountered the presence of God in a flame of fire.
The miracle of the Burning Bush wasn’t just that it was alight, but that it was not consumed. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the nature of God:
A Self-Sustaining Fire: God does not need fuel to burn. His power and presence are internal and eternal.
Holy Ground: This site reminds us that God often meets us in the middle of our“wilderness” moments, turning ordinary ground into something sacred.
As Moses was told to “take off your sandals”, we are reminded to approach the divine with humility and awe. Even today, the bush remains lush and green—a living testament to a God who is “from everlasting to everlasting”.
The Well of Meeting: Moses’ Drinking Well
Just a short distance from the chapel of the Burning Bush sits another vital site: The Well of Moses.
In the arid desert, water is life. This is the traditional site where Moses, then a fugitive from Egypt, helped the daughters of Jethro water their flocks. It was here that a simple act of service and a drink of water led to a new life, a family, and preparation for his ultimate calling.
The well represents more than just physical hydration; it symbolises providence:
Divine Appointment: Moses arrived at this well exhausted and alone, yet God provided a community and a future.
The Living Water: Just as the bush represents the “Fire of God”, the well reminds us of the “Water of Life”.
Lessons from the Sinai Desert
Standing between the bush and the well, the message is clear: God provides exactly what we need for the journey. To the thirsty, He is the well; to those seeking direction, He is the fire. Whether we are in a season of “burning” (refining and calling) or a season of “watering” (rest and preparation), the ground we stand on is holy because He is there.
While the stones of the monastery are ancient, the message found within its walls is timeless. The God who spoke to a shepherd in the desert is the same God who speaks to us today.