Fire: A Blessing or a Curse?

Exodus 14:19, Went behind them. Fire does two things: It both destroys and purifies substances depending on the durability of their composition. It consumes that which is flammable (e.g. wood, hay and stubble) and refines or purifies that which is inflammable (e.g. gold, silver and precious stones; see 1 Cor 3:12–15). To those people whose lives are characterized by wood, hay and stubble, fire is a threat and terror. On the other hand, to those whose lives are like gold, silver and precious stones, fire is welcomed, since they have nothing to fear; it will only refine, not destroy them. 

Moreover, fire creates light. To those whose lives are characterized by light (i.e. truth and righteousness), fire is a positive thing, since it exposes sin and gives them light by which to go forward spiritually. To those people who live spiritual darkness (i.e. the world, the flesh and the devil), as was the case with Pharaoh and Egypt (a symbolic picture of the world), and those who love sin and hate Elohim and his righteousness (John 3:19–20), fire and light are feared because it will not only expose their evil deeds, but will consume them in judgment. 

Therefore, the fiery flame that separated the Israelites from the Egyptians was a good thing and a blessing for the former and a bad thing and a curse and a terror for the latter. In fact, in Exodus 15:7, in poetic terms, the Egyptians are likened to stubble that YHVH destroys in his wrathful judgment. This same thing will occur again on a global scale when the earth is burned with fire and the wicked become ashes under the sole’s of the feet (Mal 4:3) of the righteous after the white throne judgment (Rev 20:11–15).

What is your life comprised of? Wood, hay and stubble, or gold, silver and precious stones:

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Cor 3:11–15)

 

5 thoughts on “Fire: A Blessing or a Curse?

  1. Our God is a consuming fire=”create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.” Silver is refined in the fire-when the silversmith can see his reflection in it, he knows all the dross is gone!

    • I have always loved this analogy and it reminds me of Romans 8:28–29,

      And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

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