Moses, the Burning Bush, and the Secret Name of God

Have you ever wondered about the deeper meanings behind the biblical stories woven into Masonic degrees? In a recent episode of the Craftsman Online Podcast, Worshipful Brother Nathan Schick, a Master Ritualist and Lecturer under the Grand Lodge of Arizona, sheds light on the profound connections between the story of Moses, ancient mysteries, and Freemasonry. His insights reveal how these timeless narratives serve as allegories for our personal and Masonic journeys.

The Significance of the “Lost Word”

Brother Schick begins by drawing a parallel between the historical “Mason’s Word” and the concept of a “lost word” in Freemasonry. Historically, stonemasons developed a secret word or cipher system to communicate about labor costs and working conditions, especially during times like the plague when skilled labor was scarce. This secret allowed them to aid each other and maintain fair practices. If a master mason died before the annual communication, the word could be lost, severing that vital communication.

Allegorically, this “lost word” represents a disconnect from the divine. Just as the operative masons lost communication without the word, we, as speculative masons, can lose our “grand communication” or communion with the divine. The pursuit of this lost word, and the subsequent “regaining of the word” in higher degrees like the Scottish Rite and Royal Arch, symbolizes our journey to re-establish that connection.

Divine Madness and the Proofs of Moses

A fascinating concept introduced is “theomania,” or divine madness, as described by Plato. In antiquity, hearing voices or experiencing wonders, like Moses at the burning bush, wasn’t necessarily viewed as mental illness but as a divine gift and an opportunity for profound transformation. This “ecstasy”—being “out of your normal mind”—can lead to beneficial outcomes for an individual or their community.

Moses’ demand for a “name” and “signs” serves as a crucial test to discern genuine divine communion from mere delusion. The revelation of “I am that I am” and the secret four-letter name of God, the Tetragrammaton (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh), are presented as proofs of legitimate divine communication.

A Legacy of Transformation

Brother Schick emphasizes that the story of Moses, ubiquitous even among those who aren’t religious, speaks to a transformative divine communion that profoundly changed history. Moses’ initial feelings of inadequacy, coupled with his eventual cooperation with his brother Aaron, serve as a model for Masons today.>

Just as Moses and Aaron, with their diverse skill sets, brought about great transformation, so too can Brothers in a Lodge, by working together on community projects, create meaningful change. The story of Moses, therefore, is not just a historical or biblical account, but a timeless allegory that inspires Masons to understand their journey, embrace personal transformation, and collectively impact their communities.

Follow the Craftsmen Online Podcast on Spotify, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, and listen everywhere you hear your favorite shows!