![]() He roars with fire to consume those who would lead His people astray or harm them. He went before Israel to battle enemies likewise, His fire now defends us against all spiritual enemies. Second, the enemies of God are consumed by His fire. While this fire can be unsettling, the true danger lies in wandering from God. God’s fire is like a fierce boundary reminding us to keep our eyes on Him alone. God designed us for worship, but Satan creates counterfeit opportunities to entice us into worshiping worthless idols. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” ( Hebrews 12:28-29) What Do These Passages Reveal about God’s Consuming Fire?įrom the context of these verses, we can understand a few aspects of God’s consuming fire.įirst, it is intended to keep the focus of our worship on God, the only One worthy of our worship and obedience. “He has cut down in fierce anger all the might of Israel he has withdrawn from them his right hand in the face of the enemy he has burned like a flaming fire in Jacob, consuming all around.” ( Jeremiah 2:3) “The sinners in Zion are afraid trembling has seized the godless: “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?” He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil.” ( Isaiah 33:14-15) He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the Lord has promised you.” ( Deuteronomy 9:3) “Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lord your God. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” ( Deuteronomy 4:23-24) “Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. There are specific mentions of God as a consuming fire in Scripture (all quotes from the ESV): Firelight can signal that we aren’t alone or rally support when there is danger. We can cook over a fire, and it can keep us warm. Firelight brings out the storyteller in us. Fire in the night can keep us safe, guide us home, and bring us together. Firelight is compelling, comforting, and beautiful. Sometimes, especially out west, the only way to fight fire is with fire. Some of you have witnessed that firsthand.Ī raging fire can sound like a living, breathing beast. I’ve seen training videos of fire when it’s out of control. My father was a firefighter and then fire chief-a career spanning 65 years. I grew up in a household with a healthy respect for fire. His love for us is so relentless, He surrounds us with ways to know Him. God wants to be known and has made Himself known to us through what He has created, through His Word, through His prophets, and finally, through Jesus Christ. Remember, God uses many images from creation to help us understand aspects of who He is. What do I mean? What Does the Bible Mean When it Calls God a Consuming Fire? However, as followers of Jesus, we don’t need to be anxious or fearful. Others react with excitement, believing it refers to His power and protection. Some react with fear, anxious that this refers to God’s judgment. ![]() When we hear or read that God is a “consuming fire,” we have varied emotional responses. That phrase can set off alarms (no pun intended).
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