God: A Consuming Fire! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Genesis 38:7,

"But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the Lord's sight; so the Lord put him to death."

Here is a thought I had about this verse in December, 2007:

In this surprising chapter of the history in Genesis we read a story of deceit, trickery, revenge and vindication. It is a fascinating story, and one in which we learn a few things. One very important truth we learn is that the Lord has put to death some who have been caught up in sin. 

We know that not all who engage in a sinful lifestyle suffer for it right away. In fact some of the psalms bemoan the fact that the sinful seem to live a life free from the hardships of others who attempt to live a life pleasing to God. In psalm 73 Asaph says, "I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills." Psalm 73:3-5. However, Asaph later develops another perspective after he has spent some time with the Lord. In verses 17-19 we read, "till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!"

Sin has its consequences. All of us struggle with sin. Those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith are forgiven all of our sin but that does not mean we do not face certain consequences for entertaining sin in our lives. Paul tells his Corinthian readers, "That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep." 1 Corinthians 11:30. I am reminded yet again of what the writer of Hebrews has to say to us believers, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'

Just like Er and his brother, Onan, our Lord can take us out in a heartbeat if he so decides.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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