Bible Simile, 12of14

~ The Bible is Like Fire—It Can Burn and It Can Purify ~

Bible Similes  ~  The Word of God likens itself to a number of practical items.  “The Word is like…”  In this series we will look at some of the similes of the Bible which are presented clearly in the Bible itself. 

Like Fire  ~  The written Word of God and the Living Word (God Himself) are inseparable.  “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 thus says the Lord God of hosts: ‘Because you speak this word, behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them” (Jeremiah 5:14). 

“‘Is not My Word like a fire?’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:29a). 

“So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders.  And you said: ‘Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire.  We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives.  Now therefore, why should we die?  For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die.  For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?  You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.’  Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you.  They are right in all that they have spoken.  Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!  Go and say to them, “Return to your tents.”  But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I am giving them to possess.’  Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:23-33).

Application  ~  Fire can consume and destroy.  Fire can also purify such as removing the dross from silver or gold.  Today, we are privileged to live in a time when we can allow the fire of God’s Word to purify us.  Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).  There will soon come a day when eternal fire will be the destination of those who have refused to pay attention to the fire of God’s Word. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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