Week 27: Holy Fire

This week's reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday (epistles): Philippians 3-4
* Monday (the Law): Leviticus 10-12
* Tuesday (history): II Kings 1-5
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 78-80
* Thursday (poetry): Proverbs 8-9
* Friday (prophecy): Ezekiel 19-24
* Saturday (gospels): Luke 17-18

In many of this week's passage, we see 'fire' play some sort of role. In Leviticus 10 we read the sad story of Nadab and Abihu, 2 of Aarons sons who offered 'unauthorized' fire before the LORD. As a result, fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them. You may wonder why this harsh punishment? Moses gives the answer in verse 3: the punishment was that severe to prove God's holiness. See, Aaron and his sons were being dedicated to become priests, role models, who show God's people what is right and what not. By going off on their own and not following the LORD's instructions, they set a bad example, and God does not tolerate that at such a critical moment in the history of his people.

In II Kings we see Elijah taken up to heaven by a chariot of fire and horses of fire. Fire in this story also represents 'holiness'. Elijah does not die, but is taken up to Heaven, just like Enoch, who 'walked with God', see Genesis 5:24. Elisha takes over Elijah's duties, and we see his first miracles in those first chapters of II Kings.

In Psalm 78, Asaph recounts the mighty deeds of God. In verse 14 he talks about God guiding his people with the cloud by day, and with light from the fire all night. God showed himself as a pillar of fire to his people.

In chapter 17 of Luke, we see Jesus talking about the coming of the Son of Man. He compares his second coming with the situation of the flood, and the situation in Sodom and Gomorra, where sulphur and fire rained down from heaven unexpectedly. Just like the flood destroyed the world in the ancient days, so a fire will destroy and cleanse the world when Jesus will return. Although not mentioned explicitly in the chapters in Ezekiel, we see God's wrath on the wickedness of Jerusalem displayed in great detail. From other parts, we know Jerusalem will later be destroyed by fire.

In all these stories, we see the importance of fire: it cleanses and purifies, it brings punishment and judgment, and most importantly, it displays the holiness of our LORD.

At Woodhaven, we sing this song 'Holy Fire', which goes like this:

Holy Fire, burn away
my desire, for anything
that is not of You, but is of me
I want more of You, and less of me

Empty me, Empty me
Fill me, with You, with You.

That is my prayer this week for you, that you will be filled with Holy Fire from God, to carry out and display His passion for you and for his people. A fire that cleanses you from within, and spills over into the world.

In Him,

Dick