FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

          The fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones & the dust, and licked up the water in the trench (1Kgs.18:38).   In the contest on Mount Carmel the fire of the Lord brought judgment against Ahab, Jezebel and the prophets of Baal in particular (1Kgs.18:40). This fire of the Lord often served to strike fear into the hearts of people, bringing them to the knees.  cf. Lev.9:24 and Judg.6:21 & 13:20.  This “fire” also speaks of the glory and holiness of God (1Chron.21:26 and 2Chron.7:1), attributes of Jehovah God that we sometimes seem to have forgotten. 

          While we prefer to rest in the language of John (God is LOVE / 1Jn.5:8), we must not diminish The Almighty by making Him a one-dimensional personification of sweet sentimentality.   GOD IS NOT TO BE TRIFLED WITH.   Paul warned the first-century saints:  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God … for our God is a consuming fire (Heb.10:31 and 12:29).  So if and when we find ourselves inclined to downplay our own sinfulness (and that of our nation), let us return to the mountain…and let us fall on our faces.

                                                                                  Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ