Topical Bible: Fire: A Symbol in the Burning Bush

◄ Fire: A Symbol in the Burning Bush ►

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The symbol of fire in the biblical narrative of the burning bush is a profound and multifaceted representation of God's presence, holiness, and divine calling. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, where Moses encounters God in a miraculous and transformative experience.

Biblical Account

The account of the burning bush is found in Exodus 3:1-6. Moses, tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, leads the sheep to Horeb, the mountain of God. There, he witnesses a bush that is engulfed in flames yet remains unconsumed. The text states: "The Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed" (Exodus 3:2). This phenomenon captures Moses' attention, prompting him to investigate further.

Symbolism of Fire

1. Divine Presence: The fire in the burning bush is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to humankind. The presence of God is often associated with fire in the Scriptures, symbolizing His glory and majesty. The fire that does not consume the bush signifies God's eternal and self-sustaining nature. It is a visual representation of His presence that is both awe-inspiring and approachable, inviting Moses into a deeper understanding of who God is.

2. Holiness: Fire is a symbol of purity and holiness. As Moses approaches the bush, God commands him, "Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). The fire signifies the sanctity of God's presence, emphasizing the need for reverence and respect. It serves as a reminder of the holiness that separates God from humanity, yet also the grace that allows for divine-human interaction.

3. Divine Calling and Commission: The burning bush is the setting for Moses' divine calling to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God speaks to Moses from the fire, commissioning him to deliver His people from bondage. The fire symbolizes the passion and intensity of God's mission, as well as the empowerment and guidance that God provides to those He calls. It marks a pivotal moment in Moses' life, transforming him from a shepherd into a leader of a nation.

4. Judgment and Purification: Fire in the Bible often represents judgment and purification. While the burning bush itself is not an act of judgment, it foreshadows the purifying trials that Moses and the Israelites will face. The fire's ability to burn without consuming the bush can be seen as a metaphor for God's refining work, purifying His people without destroying them.

Theological Implications

The burning bush narrative is rich with theological significance. It reveals God's desire to communicate with His people and His willingness to use extraordinary means to capture their attention. The fire symbolizes God's dynamic and active presence in the world, a presence that is both comforting and challenging. It underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in responding to God's call, as well as the transformative power of encountering the divine.

In summary, the fire in the burning bush is a powerful symbol of God's presence, holiness, and calling. It serves as a reminder of the sacredness of God's mission and the profound impact of His presence in the lives of those He chooses to lead and guide.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the middle of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Bush that Burned, and did not Burn Out
... as an emblem of Israel"which unquestionably it is, though the fire be the symbol
of God ... shrine, and flamed in it, and preserved it by its burning, there is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bush that burned and.htm

Each Person of the Trinity is Said in the Sacred Writings to be ...
... For the bush was burning but was not consumed, because in that mystery the Lord
was showing that He would come to ... [978] So in the symbol of fire God keeps ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv each person of.htm

The Signs of Pentecost.
... apt symbol strengthens the supposition; for a symbol must speak. ... The same applies
to the tongues of fire. ... with Abraham, or the occurrences at the burning bush. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the signs of pentecost.htm

The Baptism in Fire
... and heat; it is fire, not so much as burning up what ... gross of visible things;"in
a word, it is fire as life, and not as death, that is the symbol of God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the baptism in fire.htm

The Consuming Fire.
... until we worship thus; yea, will go on burning within us ... sees farther into the meaning
of the fire, and knows ... It is a symbol which needed not to be superseded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the consuming fire.htm

The Call of Moses
... We may note that the bush burning but not consumed expressed in symbol the same ... the
many tribes (v.17) might discourage, but it is intended to fire by the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the call of moses.htm

The Preacher as a Man of God.
... were represented on canvas, without showing the burning materials, by ... the ore, for
example, into the fire, if you ... There is a third symbol, which appears in the ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture ii the preacher as.htm

How to Dwell in the Fire of God
... the everlasting fire?'"the perpetual fire, burning and unconsumed ... The symbol of fire
does not mean destructive ... among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/how to dwell in the.htm

"God with Us"
... The burning bush, in which Christ appeared to Moses, revealed God. The symbol chosen
for the representation of the Deity ... by day and the pillar of fire by night ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 1 god with us.htm

On the Use of Ointments and Crowns.
... It is a symbol, too, of the Lord's successful work ... a shape was shown him in the burning
bush (the bush ... The Scripture therefore says, "Water, and fire, and iron ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter viii on the use of.htm