Topical Bible: Wicked (People): Compared With: Fiery Oven

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In biblical literature, the term "wicked" refers to individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments and moral order. The wicked are often characterized by their sinful actions, rebellion against divine authority, and a general disposition that is contrary to righteousness. Throughout Scripture, the fate and nature of the wicked are depicted in vivid imagery, one of which is the comparison to a "fiery oven."

The metaphor of a fiery oven is used to illustrate the ultimate judgment and destruction that awaits the wicked. This imagery is particularly potent, conveying both the intensity and the inevitability of divine retribution. In Psalm 21:9 , the psalmist declares, "You will place them in a fiery furnace at the time of Your appearing. In His wrath the LORD will engulf them, and the fire will consume them." Here, the fiery oven symbolizes the consuming wrath of God, which will utterly destroy those who persist in wickedness.

The comparison to a fiery oven serves multiple purposes in biblical teaching. Firstly, it underscores the seriousness of sin and the severe consequences that follow a life of unrepentance. The imagery of fire is often associated with purification and judgment, suggesting that the wicked will face a purifying judgment that leaves no room for their unrighteousness to persist.

Secondly, the fiery oven metaphor highlights the certainty of divine justice. Just as an oven is designed to consume and transform, so too will God's judgment be thorough and complete. This assures the faithful that, despite the apparent prosperity of the wicked in this life, their end is one of destruction unless they turn from their ways.

Lastly, the comparison serves as a warning and a call to repentance. The vividness of the fiery oven imagery is intended to provoke reflection and a turning away from wickedness. It is a reminder that God's patience is not to be mistaken for tolerance of sin, and that His justice will ultimately prevail.

In conclusion, the biblical comparison of the wicked to a fiery oven is a powerful metaphor that communicates the severity of God's judgment against sin. It serves as both a warning to those who live in opposition to God's will and an assurance to the righteous that divine justice will be executed in due time. The imagery calls for introspection and repentance, urging individuals to align their lives with the righteousness that God desires.

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Psalm 21:9
You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
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Hosea 7:4
They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceases from raising after he has kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
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Library

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... the subject of Angels represents, as compared with that ... the Zend word Agra - smiting,
very wicked' - bath Machlath ... influence of his over the people might lead ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

God's Providence
... of the minor parts of God's works compared with the ... We see the wicked prosper; they
flourish, and great is ... especially for the good of the chosen people of God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/gods providence.htm

The Alarum
... to be of so dwarfish a stature compared with these ... mother, Monica, he had been leading
a wicked life; but ... Pray, you dear people of God that are awake, that the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the alarum.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... present time are not worthy to be compared with the ... soul was cut off from among his
people which on ... This godless and wicked teaching was formerly ripe in Egypt ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... All on a fiery flame, Hell is compared, for to ... upon them rain, Because they would
not wicked ways refrain ... know The miseries that these poor people felt While ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

Who Can Tell?
... They were rich and mighty above all people, for God had ... days I add is a long lease
compared with that ... of God which shall certainly come upon the wicked, but we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/who can tell.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Now therefore let all the wicked men be far from ... again, "Where there is no vision,
the people perish" (Proverbs ... which both the law and the gospel is compared. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... it too, that as he was no wicked man with ... if their notions and conversations be compared
together. ... of the outrageous persecution against God's people, must be ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... it too, that, as he was no wicked man with ... if their notions and conversations be
compared together. ... of the outrageous persecution against God's people, must be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... the act in so doing, is most wicked; yea, and ... his first and best estate; but earthly,
when compared with Christ ... it is not the possessing of his people with that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm