This Article: (7 Pages)
- 1. Our GOD is a consuming fire
- 2. The History of consuming fire and... sacrifice
- 3. Examples of the consuming fire
- 4. Consuming fire in the New Testament
- 5. The warning to Christian tolerance
- 6. OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL Psalm 116:5
- 7. Jesus and Mercy
2) The History of consuming fire and sacrifice
Hebrews 12:29 may also be an allusion to the altar offerings required under the Law of Moses. An Israelite wishing to make an offering had to search diligently through his flock or herd to find a perfect animal. Only perfection was good enough. The offerings always had to be the best available. Another name for the altar, in Hebrew is Ari, a devourer or 'the lion'. The four horns on the corners of the altar could be identified with, or, likened to the four large fangs of the lion's mouth, reminding us, in the Lord's words, that if we want save our lives, we have to lose them. Consider the words of Matthew 10:39, which are repeated again in Matthew 16:25. 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.' A life dedicated to the service of our Lord is implied by these words. Our present life has very little to offer than pleasures but for a season. So important is this concept, that all four gospel records mention these words of the Messiah.
Hebrews 12:29 in those few words, 'Our God is a consuming fire', points out most forcibly, that unless we offer (Heb 12:28) acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,' (R.S.V) we are wasting our time reading all this as it becomes a purely academic process. Hebrews draws on the warning given to Israel in Deuteronomy 4:23-24. 'Take heed to yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he made with you, and make a graven image in the form of anything which Yahweh your God has forbidden you, for Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.'
Joshua delivered a similar message to the people of Israel.
Joshua 24:19-20 'You cannot serve Yahweh, for he is a Holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake Yahweh and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.'
In Hebrews the warnings of Moses and Joshua are being renewed. After Moses had related the ten commandments the people were fearful and reverential.
'Now, therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of Yahweh our God any more we shall die' (Deuteronomy 5:25 R.S.V)
Moses responded saying, 'Yahweh heard your words, when you spoke to me, and Yahweh said to me, I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you, they have rightly said all that they have spoken.' (verse 28 R.S.V) The Israelites were aware that disobedience and rejection of their God would lead to punishment, as a fire that consumes. At Taberah, the murmurers were consumed in fire (Numbers 11:1). When Korah, Dathan and Abiram chose to oppose Moses and rose up in rebellion against him, offering strange incense, 'fire came forth from Yahweh, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men offering incense.' (Numbers 16:35) The people of Israel acknowledge that Yahweh demands reverence and that he will punish irreverence. 'And the people of Israel said to Moses, Behold, we perish, we are all undone. Every one who comes near to the Tabernacle of Yahweh shall die. Are we all to perish?' (Numbers 17:12-13 R.S.V). The people had seen visible and spectacular demonstrations of Yahweh's power and demand for obedience and reverence.
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