The Bible describes the Lord God as “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29) which is why Scripture often uses it as a symbol of the presence of God. The following are biblical examples of fire as a symbol of God’s presence:
The burning bush (Exodus 3:2).
The Shekinah glory (Exodus 14:19; Numbers 9:15-16).
Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1:4).
Fire is an instrument of God’s judgment (Numbers 11:1; 1 Kings 1:10).
Fire is a sign of His power (Judges 13:20; 1 Kings 18:38).
Fire was also crucial for the Old Testament sacrifices for the following reasons:
Fire on the altar of burnt offering was a divine gift from the Lord Himself having been lit by Himself (Leviticus 9:24).
The Lord charged the priests with keeping His fire lit (Leviticus 6:13).
Fire from any other source other than appointed by God was unacceptable (Leviticus 10:1-2).
