Our God is a Consuming Fire

The Hebrews reading this Sunday depicts the giving of the first covenant to the Jews at Mt Sinai. This was a terrifying event as the mountain is covered in smoke and fire. Moses alone is allowed up the mountain to receive the 10 Commandments and if even an animal so much as touches the mountain, it must be stoned. Moses himself was trembling with fear. This is then contrasted with the new covenant that Jesus mediates where we all have access to God himself in the heavenly city. The writer of Hebrews is making the point that if the Israelites did not escape when they refused God in the wilderness while receiving only the shadow of the things to come, then how much less will we escape punishment when facing the reality. We are living in the time of fulfillment, when the shadow is passing away and the reality is coming. Therefore we must not refuse him who speaks and worship God 'acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire."' Hebrews 12:28-29