Compare Ezekiel 15:7 with Hebrews 12:29. What do both say about God's nature? Setting the Scene—Ezekiel 15:7 and Hebrews 12:29 in Context Ezekiel 15:7: “I will set My face against them; although they have come out of the fire, yet the fire will consume them. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I set My face against them.” Hebrews 12:29: “For our God is a consuming fire.” A God Who Faces His People—with Fire • Both passages present God as the One who personally “sets His face” toward humanity, not standing aloof. • His revealed character is fiery—active, powerful, and unavoidable. • Ezekiel shows this face turned against persistent rebellion; Hebrews reminds believers that the same holy fire still burns. Fire as a Revelation of Holiness and Judgment • Fire manifests God’s moral purity. Sin cannot coexist with Him (Isaiah 33:14; Deuteronomy 4:24). • Judgment is not arbitrary; it flows from His unchanging righteousness (Psalm 97:2-3). • The consuming aspect in both verses underscores that God does not merely wound sin—He eradicates it. The Dual Work of God’s Fire: Consuming and Purifying • Consuming: – Ezekiel addresses Jerusalem’s wood—useless for anything but fuel—symbolizing people hardened in sin who will be burned (Ezekiel 15:1-8). – Final judgment echoes this theme (Revelation 20:11-15). • Purifying: – Hebrews 12 frames the statement within a call to grateful worship and disciplined holiness (Hebrews 12:14-17, 25-28). – God’s fire also refines believers (Malachi 3:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Consuming Fire Across Scripture—Consistent Testimony • Old Testament examples: – Sinai’s blazing summit (Exodus 24:17). – The fiery pillar guiding Israel (Numbers 14:14). – Nadab and Abihu struck by holy fire for unauthorized worship (Leviticus 10:1-3). • New Testament echoes: – Fiery tongues at Pentecost signaling God’s indwelling presence (Acts 2:3-4). – Jesus revealed “eyes like a blazing fire” (Revelation 1:14). • From Genesis to Revelation, fire signifies the same divine nature—holy, jealous, and life-defining. Living in Light of the Consuming Fire • Awe-filled worship: “Let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). • Repentance and ongoing holiness: knowing He consumes sin urges daily turning from it (2 Corinthians 7:1). • Confident hope: the God who judges also refines, preserving His people for glory (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). |
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