Thought for the Month

Autumnal fires used to be commonplace decades ago when it was usual for farmers to burn the stubble after the crops of wheat, barley and so on had been safely gathered in. It was to clear the field ready for planting next season’s crop with one idea that the ash produced by the fire added nutrients into the ground. Nutrients are needed for a large crop as we acknowledge now grain is more expensive with the ongoing war in Ukraine. It is acknowledged that burning the stubble removes nutrients.

Fires are an increasing issue due to climate change. They are "frightening" as the recent ones in Portugal. In recent years there have been serious fires on the Greek island of Evia, the west coast of the United States and Australia as well as fires this year in the London area when temperatures reached 40⁰C (104F). They bring and have brought much destruction.

The Great Fire of London in 1666 brought great destruction with it. A great part of the city of London including the old St. Paul’s cathedral had to be totally rebuilt and laid out as the destruction was so complete and widespread. It was also accounted as one of the reasons for the ending of the Great Plague in London in 1665. In this the two features of the use of fire in the Bible are shown—the destruction and the purifying.

Fire is useful in many ways. It makes food edible and safe. Oil lamps burnt oil for light. I once lived in a 1920s house where you could see where they had been affixed. Streetlights used to burn oil in Britain. It illustrates how fire and burning can be used for good although there were fire risks.

The first reference to fire in Gen.15:17 was a supernatural fire and light as a confirmatory sign of the Abrahamic promise. Another early instance in the Bible of fire was the destruction by fire of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen.19:24) Another was when Nadab and Abihu were destroyed by fire having broken the law in offering "strange fire." (Lev.10:1‑2)

Fire and heat is needed in refining. Gold is produced by heat that removes impurities from the ore. Crude oil is refined by heat at around 400⁰C. The crude oil splits into gases, petroleum, diesel, heating oils as well as bitumen. The UK temperatures in July meant even bitumen got runny so that grit needed to be added to some road surfaces. It’s in this manner it is used in Job 23 to describe how a fiery trial produces precious metals like gold. The disciple Peter uses it in a similar way to describe the trialling and proving of the faith of the church during this Gospel age. (1 Pet.1:7) The prophet Malachi describes the return of our Lord and his work as a "refiner’s fire" process. (Mal.3:2‑3) In this case it is to remove the impurities. During the Gospel age this has applied to the church class seeking to become more Christlike and less worldly. This process will be rolled out and completed after the resurrection of the dead.

James describes our tongues as a fire. (Jas.3:5‑6) This is because they could do a lot of damage very quickly. We read how people are "outraged" by the comments of this person or that person. What a lesson!

Fire is also used to convey the thought of intensity. In Ezekiel 36:5 God describes the fire of His jealousy. Fire meaning hot. Fire meaning passion and strength of feeling.

Different products have different fire risks. Thatched buildings and wooden buildings burn easier and quicker than those made of brick and stone. The fire at Grenfell Tower in London in recent years sadly showed how a fire spread due to panels that were flammable with the consequent tragic loss of life. It’s this aspect Paul uses in 1 Cor.3 to illustrate how the Christian today should build if they build with success in lives of faith and character if they are to withstand the trials and tests that come to all Christians and come out stronger.