Fire features in both the Old and New Testaments and recently the Lord drew my attention to Exodus 3, where Moses observed a burning bush which then turned into the burning bush as in something unique not commonplace.
As always when really considering passages in the Bible you start to see a lot more than a cursory reading reveals, a good example would be where the apostle Paul is stoned and then walks into the town (Acts 14 v 19-20). At first reading we may just read this and take his actions for granted until we think how could he be left for dead and still manage to walk?!!
Returning to Moses, we read of his everyday situation, his everyday normality of being in the desert and shepherding. However, this day was to be incredibly special! Moses noticed fire in a bush where an angel appeared and more incredibly the bush is not being destroyed. Even more incredible is that God speaks to him from this fire to say that Moses’s calling to lead God’s people has now arrived.
So, fire teaches us two things, it can convey the presence of God, and it doesn’t necessarily burn. As I thought about fire in the context of the bible other features of fire came to me. These are that it warms, gives light, it burns/destroys and conveys God’s voice.
All of these represent God in various ways. To gain a better idea let’s look at some examples from both testaments (Old & New).
- In Genesis 19 v 24 fire and brimstone rain down on Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Exodus 13 v 21, a pillar of fire from the Lord guided the Israelites in the desert so that they could travel by both day and night
- Numbers 16 v 35 tells us that fire consumed the men in rebellion against Moses as well as their families
- In Daniel 3 v 25 we learn that those including Daniel who had been put in the furnace that had been heated 7 times hotter than usual survived
- Moving to the New Testament, in Acts 2 v 3 where the Holy Spirit came, what appeared to be tongues of fire separated and came to rest on each of those attending
- Finally, through 1 Corinthians 3 v 13 which says that the quality of each man’s work will be tested by fire.
From these various readings we gain a greater understanding of the use of fire, in that whilst bringing God’s presence, it also brings His judgement, His light which overcomes darkness and divine communication as well as purification.
In a nutshell, fire basically either purifies something or it consumes it.
In the world today there are many who will be consumed by judgement, whilst others are being purified.
How are these two diverse outcomes accomplished? By respectively either excluding or being obedient to God, despite our shortcomings.
Derek Prince, a well-known bible teacher said that whilst you are reading the bible, it is reading you. Meaning your thoughts, the state of your heart, whether you are cold or warm. The bible does this by presenting all that God is through Jesus Christ with the valuable addition of communication through that inner voice of the Holy Spirit personalising the message that you and I need to hear and consequently act on.
As God is three parts through the trinity, so the bible is also separated into some 31,000 verses, 1,189 chapters, 66 books and 2 testaments. However, as there is ultimately one God, so there is one Word which through its diversity explains all the numberless elements of God. Fire also has many effects, but it has one overriding effect and that is has the presence of God.
Introducing light that takes away darkness, allowing God to bring His judgement to us, gives the warm assurance of God speaking to bring us into line with His will.
For us fire may not come as a burning bush or a furnace heated seven times hotter than usual, but in adversity, waiting in patience for God’s next instruction or some other challenge we don’t feel able to cope with.
The question is, when fire manifests in our lives and thereby tests our work for the Lord as per 1 Corinthians 3 v 13 do we react with a sense of purification or resignation? A sense of true gain or regretful loss? A way to travel lighter or continue with a heavy burden on our back? To be a disciple who follows or a Christian who stands still? A Peter pre or post Pentecost?
Fire lights the way, identifies the truth, and gives us the only life.
The “fire” in the Word and the Holy Spirit await.
With all blessings
Tony
PS This blog is normally updated each Monday, apologies for the lateness of this one