Why Did God Call a Man Into a Raging Fire No One Dared Approach?

0 37 3 minutes read

A mighty angel standing on a cliff edge holding a large cracked millstone, looking out over a stormy ocean, representing Revelation 18 judgment. — Why Did the Angel Throw a Millstone? (Rev 18 Meaning)

⛰️ The Mountain That Smoked: Meeting God in the Danger Zone ✨

We often talk about God as a gentle Shepherd or a loving Father. And He is. But in Exodus 19, He reveals another side of His nature: The Consuming Fire.

Imagine a mountain shaking violently. Smoke billowing up like a furnace. Lightning flashing through thick darkness. The sound of a trumpet growing louder and louder until it is deafening. This wasn’t a worship service; it was a scene of terror.

The people of Israel stood at the base of the mountain, trembling. They said to Moses, “Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:19 (KJV)).

Yet, into this terrifying inferno, God called one man. “Moses, come up.”

Why did God call a man into a fire no one dared approach?

Because He wanted to show the world that holiness is dangerous, but for the one who is called, the fire does not burn—it purifies.

Part I: The Theology of the Fire 🕎

Unapproachable Light 🚫

The fire on Sinai wasn’t just pyrotechnics; it was a revelation of God’s Holiness (Kadosh). Holiness means “set apart.” It means God is so pure, so powerful, and so utterly different from us that His very presence is dangerous to anything sinful.

The Rule: If a beast or a man touched the mountain, they were to be stoned or shot through (Exodus 19:12-13).
The Lesson: You cannot approach God casually. He is not a “buddy”; He is the Creator of the Universe.

For more on the awe of God, read Why Did the Angel Throw a Millstone Into the Sea?.

Part II: Why Moses? 🧗‍♂️

The Mediator 🤝

Why didn’t Moses die? Was he perfect? No. Moses was a murderer and a man of stammering lips. He survived the fire not because of his merit, but because of his Mediatorship.

God appointed Moses to stand in the gap between a Holy God and a sinful people. He was a “type” (a foreshadowing) of Jesus Christ.

Moses went up the mountain of Law (Sinai) amidst fear.
Jesus went up the mountain of Grace (Calvary) amidst wrath.

Because Moses was invited, the fire that should have consumed him instead commissioned him. He came down with his face shining (Exodus 34:29).

Part III: The Fire Has Changed 🕊️

From Sinai to Zion 🏔️

The book of Hebrews gives us the most powerful contrast in Scripture. It tells believers: “Ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire…” (Sinai). Instead, “Ye are come unto mount Zion… and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant” (Hebrews 12:18, 22-24 (KJV)).

Because of Jesus, the fire is no longer a barrier; it is a baptism.

On Sinai, the fire kept people away.
At Pentecost, the fire (tongues of flame) came inside people.

God didn’t stop being a Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:29). He just changed what He consumes. Now, He consumes our sin, our pride, and our chains, leaving us alive and glowing.

For more on spiritual transformation, read How to Grow in Grace and Build a Stronger Marriage.

Part IV: 3 Common Misconceptions About God’s Presence 💡

Misconception 1: The Old Testament God is angry; the New Testament God is nice.

Correction: The God of Sinai is the same God of Acts. Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead in the New Testament church for lying to the Spirit. God’s holiness never changes; only our access to Him changes through the blood of Christ.

Misconception 2: We should be afraid of God.

Correction: We should have the Fear of the Lord (reverence/awe), not the spirit of fear (terror). Terror makes you run from Him; reverence makes you bow before Him.

Misconception 3: I can worship God however I want.

Correction: Nadab and Abihu offered “strange fire” and were consumed (Leviticus 10). We must worship God in Spirit and in Truth, on His terms, not ours.

Conclusion: Step Into the Flame 🌟

Why did God call a man into the fire?

To show us that the safest place in the universe is in the center of God’s will—even if it looks like an inferno. The world runs from the fire. But the believer runs to it.