I love the smell of a campfire, or of a fire burning in a home fireplace when I’m on a wintry walk outside. But the acrid smell of an unconfined and uncontrolled wildfire is not only threatening, but can be terrifying.
In the western United States, Chile, and Australia horrific wildfires have been raging, destroying vast amounts of vegetation, property, and lives, leaving in their paths denuded landscape ripe for erosion and flooding. In praying about this situation I have loved thinking about some of the Bible’s references to fire as helpful, and a sign of God’s presence, demonstrating that a fire does not have to be destructive and devastating.
For instance, Moses finds the burning bush in the wilderness, and although the bush is on fire, it is not being consumed. This definitely gets Moses’ attention, and he listens to God as the divine purpose for him is revealed (see Exodus 3). When the Israelites are in the wilderness, we find them guided by the fire and perhaps being warmed by it at night (see Exodus 13:21).
