Dear one,
Within the past two days, within two different conversations, thoughts and images concerning “fire” surfaced. Within the one conversation, our focus centered upon Moses and his experience of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-3). Accordingly, we noted that Moses was attracted to a phenomenon he could not explain: a bush fully aflame and yet not consumed. How can this be? he wondered, as he drew near to the bush ablaze. It burned, no doubt sparking and crackling, and yet, as he felt and smelled its heat and light, it was not consumed. Inexplicable.
I do not doubt Moses’ experience: a bush burning not reduced to ash, but I am far more deeply moved—in fact, encouraged by the imaginative characterization of One who burns, but does not destroy; by One whose searing heat and light purifies but does not consume.
Within the second conversation, we too spoke of Moses’ experience with the burning bush, but we also recalled his and the Israelites’ flight from Pharaoh: the Israelites seemingly trapped, an impassable body of water before them, and the Egyptian chariots in pursuit behind them. However, as Pharaoh’s armies set to pounce, like a cat upon its mouse, a pillar of cloud and fire came between the two. For the Israelites, the fire provided light; but presumably for Pharaoh and forces, the fire blinded. If this occurrence is also inexplicable, the result was not: as it led, the fire protected the Israelites from the Egyptian onslaught (Exodus 14:19-20).
According to these two Exodus accounts, the Fire is One who enlightens, warms, and protects, all the while purifying but not destroying—like a refiner purifying gold and silver
(Malachi 3:2-3).
I wonder: in these months of covid, amid political turmoil and trauma, does the Fire of Exodus seek to purify us—not destroy but restore and refine? As we know, not all fires are good: some result in ashen rubble and destruction. For this reason, I think, Jesus encouraged:
“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:49-50).
Admittedly, Jesus’ language suggests the salting, which occurred during the fires of sacrifice; and yet, the image of fire is relevant: we are to salt ourselves—to cauterize those behaviors and priorities, those prejudices and biases, which prevent us from living peaceably with one another. We are to co-labor with God, as He illumines, warms, protects, and purges.
Purging,
Stan