Fire: God's Protection
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In the biblical narrative, fire frequently symbolizes God's presence, power, and protection. Throughout Scripture, fire serves as a divine tool to safeguard His people, demonstrating His sovereignty and care.

The Burning Bush

One of the earliest instances of fire as a symbol of God's protection is found in the account of Moses and the burning bush. In Exodus 3:2 , "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." This miraculous event not only signifies God's holy presence but also His protective nature, as He commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.

Pillar of Fire

During the Exodus, God manifests His protective presence through a pillar of fire. Exodus 13:21 states, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night." This pillar of fire provided light and guidance, ensuring the Israelites' safe passage through the wilderness. It also served as a barrier against the pursuing Egyptian army, as described in Exodus 14:24 : "At morning watch, the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw them into confusion."

Protection of Elijah

In 2 Kings 1, fire from heaven is used to protect the prophet Elijah from the king's men. When King Ahaziah sends a captain with fifty men to seize Elijah, the prophet calls down fire from heaven, consuming them. This event occurs twice, as recorded in 2 Kings 1:10-12 , demonstrating God's protective power over His prophet.

Fiery Chariots and Horses

In 2 Kings 6, the prophet Elisha is surrounded by the Aramean army. His servant is fearful, but Elisha reassures him of God's protection. In 2 Kings 6:17 , Elisha prays, "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." The LORD opens the servant's eyes, revealing "the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." This vision of divine protection underscores God's ability to safeguard His servants against overwhelming odds.

Daniel's Friends in the Fiery Furnace

The account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 is a profound example of God's protective fire. When these faithful men refuse to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, they are thrown into a blazing furnace. Yet, they emerge unharmed, as described in Daniel 3:27 : "The fire had no power over their bodies; not a hair of their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them." This miraculous deliverance highlights God's protective presence with His faithful followers.

The Day of Pentecost

In the New Testament, fire continues to symbolize God's protective and empowering presence. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles as "tongues of fire" (Acts 2:3). This event marks the birth of the Church and signifies God's ongoing protection and guidance through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Throughout Scripture, fire is a powerful symbol of God's protection, illustrating His ability to shield, guide, and deliver His people in times of need.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Numbers 9:16
So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 2:5
For I, said the LORD, will be to her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the middle of her.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek
2375. thureos -- a shield
... 2375 ("full-body shield") refers to God's inworking of ... 7:10,13; Zech 12:8), providing
protection by inbirthing ... This always extinguishes (takes the fire out of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2375.htm - 7k
Library

The Children's Bible
... A KING'S STRANGE DREAM. THE TEST BY FIRE. THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. ... GOD WHO PROTECTS
FROM ALL DANGER. GOD'S PROTECTION OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

God's Care Over Me
... through my mind that if I should run through the hall, the fire would get ... It suddenly
came to my mind that I had not trusted God for protection and that I ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xvi gods care over.htm

The Guiding Pillar
... in the fervid desert sunlight, brightened into a column of fire, blazing amid ... and
to the need for certitude and cheering sense of God's protection, which the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the guiding pillar.htm

Hid in Light
... in Scripture, setting forth, under various metaphors, God's protection of them ... of
light that comes from God's face ... among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/hid in light.htm

Meditations of the State of a Christian Reconciled to God in ...
... danger to pitch their tents about him for his safety wherever he be: yea, God's
protection shall defend him as a cloud by day, and as a pillar of fire by night ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the state of.htm

God's People Delivered
... the mountains"still plead for divine protection, while in ... hour of utmost extremity,
that the God of Israel ... with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 40 gods people delivered.htm

God's People Delivered.
... the mountains"still plead for divine protection, while in ... hour of utmost extremity,
that the God of Israel ... with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

Visits of Angels.
... the resources of heaven are pledged to their protection. All the fire companies
of the firmament will turn out to extinguish a fire if it kindle on God's saints ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter xi visits of angels.htm

In God's Name I Beseech You Let Prayer Nourish Your Soul as Your ...
... The only protection and rescue from worldliness lie in our ... of this high, saving
spirituality, under God, is in the ... of its example, by the fire and contagion of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter viii in gods name.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the ... will bring them forth
as gold tried in the fire. God's love for His children during the period of ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

Resources
Why was the fire in the altar to burn continuously (Leviticus 6:13)? | GotQuestions.org

How many times has God sent fire from heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is a consuming fire? | GotQuestions.org

Fire: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Arson by Absalom

Arson by Samson

Arson by Zimri

Arson: General Scriptures Concerning

Arson: Law Concerning

Fire

Fire Baptism

Fire in Houses: Lighted in Spring Mornings

Fire in Houses: Lighted in the Winter

Fire in Houses: Made of Charcoal

Fire in Houses: Made of Wood

Fire in Houses: Not to be Lighted on the Sabbath

Fire of Inspiration

Fire of the Destruction of the Wicked

Fire used As a Signal in War

Fire: A Symbol in the Burning Bush

Fire: A Symbol of God's Presence

Fire: A Symbol: On Sinai

Fire: A Symbol: Tongues of, on the Apostles

Fire: Affliction

Fire: At Elijah's Translation

Fire: Bright

Fire: Can be Increased in Intensity

Fire: Children Caused to Pass Through

Fire: Christ As Judge

Fire: Christ Shall Appear In

Fire: Consumes the Conspirators With Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

Fire: Consuming

Fire: Display of, in the Plagues of Egypt

Fire: Drying

Fire: Enlightening

Fire: Everlasting Fire

Fire: Frequently Employed As an Instrument of Divine Vengeance

Fire: Furnaces of

Fire: God Appeared In

Fire: God's Enemies

Fire: God's Protection

Fire: God's Vengeance

Fire: Heating

Fire: Injury From, to be Made Good by the Person Who Kindled It

Fire: Insatiable

Fire: Judgments

Fire: Kept Alive by Fuel

Fire: Lust

Fire: Melting

Fire: Miracles Connected With: David's Sacrifice

Fire: Miracles Connected With: Elijah's Sacrifice

Fire: Miracles Connected With: Miraculously Descends Upon, and Consumes, Abraham's Sacrifice

Fire: Miracles Connected With: Solomon's Sacrifice, at Dedication of the Temple

Fire: Miraculous in the Burning Bush

Fire: Miraculous: Angel Ascended In

Fire: Miraculous: Consumed the Company of Korah

Fire: Miraculous: Consumed the Sacrifice of Elijah

Fire: Miraculous: Consumed the Sacrifice of Gideon

Fire: Miraculous: Destroyed Nadab and Abihu

Fire: Miraculous: Destroyed the Enemies of Elijah

Fire: Miraculous: Destroyed the People at Taberah

Fire: Miraculous: Elijah Taken up in a Chariot of

Fire: Miraculous: Led the People of Israel in the Desert

Fire: Miraculous: On Mount Sinai at Giving of Law

Fire: Miraculous: Plagued the Egyptians

Fire: Persecution

Fire: Pillar of Fire

Fire: Punishment of the Wicked Shall be In

Fire: Purifying

Fire: Sacred: All Burn offerings Consumed By

Fire: Sacred: Always Burning on the Altar

Fire: Sacred: Came from Before the Lord

Fire: Sacred: Guilt of Burning Incense Without

Fire: Sacred: Incense Burned With

Fire: Sacred: Restored to the Temple

Fire: Spiritual Power

Fire: Spreading

Fire: The Captains of Fifties

Fire: The Church Destroying Her Enemies

Fire: The Holy Spirit

Fire: The Hope of Hypocrites

Fire: The Self-Righteous

Fire: The Tongue

Fire: The Word of God

Fire: Things Connected With: Ashes

Fire: Things Connected With: Burning Coals

Fire: Things Connected With: Flame

Fire: Things Connected With: Smoke

Fire: Things Connected With: Sparks

Fire: Though Small, Kindles a Great Matter

Fire: Torture By

Fire: Wickedness

Fire: Zeal of Angels

Fire: Zeal of Saints

Volcanoes: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Fire-offerings (18 Occurrences)

Fire-trays (6 Occurrences)

Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)

Fire-wood (4 Occurrences)

Fire-brands (3 Occurrences)

Fire-brand (3 Occurrences)

Fire-pan (4 Occurrences)

Oven-fire (2 Occurrences)

Fire-baskets (1 Occurrence)

Fire-spoon (1 Occurrence)

Fire-pans (11 Occurrences)

Hell-fire (3 Occurrences)

Ablaze (19 Occurrences)

Consumes (21 Occurrences)

Coals (28 Occurrences)

Kindle (25 Occurrences)

Consumeth (37 Occurrences)

Consuming (26 Occurrences)

Sulfur (14 Occurrences)

Quenched (22 Occurrences)

Soothing (40 Occurrences)

Censer (10 Occurrences)

Scorched (21 Occurrences)

Kindleth (9 Occurrences)

Savour (52 Occurrences)

Aroma (50 Occurrences)

Citadels (15 Occurrences)

Abihu (12 Occurrences)

Coal (7 Occurrences)

Stubble (18 Occurrences)

Strongholds (44 Occurrences)

Amber (3 Occurrences)

Afire (2 Occurrences)

Sulphur (7 Occurrences)

Kindling (4 Occurrences)

Kindles (6 Occurrences)

Charred (4 Occurrences)

Convocation (19 Occurrences)

Aflame (8 Occurrences)

Arrange (19 Occurrences)

Anammelech (1 Occurrence)

Arranged (32 Occurrences)

Singed (3 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Savor (51 Occurrences)

Hell (53 Occurrences)

Soft (36 Occurrences)

Asunder (37 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Coloured (21 Occurrences)

Abi'hu (12 Occurrences)

Servile (13 Occurrences)

Storm-wind (19 Occurrences)

Spades (9 Occurrences)

Sets (80 Occurrences)

Allotment (24 Occurrences)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Knife (10 Occurrences)

Aaron's (53 Occurrences)

Kindled (83 Occurrences)

Consumed (213 Occurrences)

Smell (77 Occurrences)

Arts (48 Occurrences)

Storm (62 Occurrences)

Stems (31 Occurrences)

Shadrach (14 Occurrences)

Shaking (162 Occurrences)

Clouds (99 Occurrences)

Abominable (52 Occurrences)

Appeareth (31 Occurrences)

Abideth (66 Occurrences)

Chaff (24 Occurrences)

Continual (55 Occurrences)

Ziklag (13 Occurrences)

Censers (11 Occurrences)

Cleaning (8 Occurrences)

Counsellors (21 Occurrences)

Citizens (28 Occurrences)

Cycle (3 Occurrences)

Fire: God's Enemies
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