“For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).
When handled wisely, fire is a huge blessing to the human race. It cooks food, runs engines, and provides heat. When handled unwisely, fire can wreak devastating ruin and destruction–loss of property and life. There really is no way to be “neutral” towards fire.
These physical properties point to several significant truths about God. If you live obediently before Him, He will be your greatest blessing. If you live disobediently, His wrath will ultimately be your worst and eternal nightmare. There is no way to be “neutral” towards God.
The phrase “a consuming fire” is found three times in the Old Testament. Each use is highly instructive.
“The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Exodus 24:17).
“Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:23-24).
“Therefore, understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so, you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you” (Deuteronomy 9:3).
Jehovah’s glory, His wrath upon those who forget His covenant, and His help for His people in the presence of their enemies are all compared to a consuming fire.
There is no neutrality to fire.
