Art Reading Scripture

Unnamed Painting seen at Castlewood House (B&B) Dingle Ireland, by Rendall

There the angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Exodus 3:2

I have found art in ordinary places as well as museum galleries. I saw this unnamed piece in the dining area of a inn in Dingle. It was likely put there for decorative purposes, but I saw it and was drawn to it. I do not know the artist, simply signed Rendall, or what was intended, but I saw the enormous fire, a figure standing deep in the midst of the fire, and thought of scriptures like the story of Moses and the burning bush or the fire of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit. The image evokes, recalls the story, as fire invokes, calls the Spirit of God to our spirits.

In the story Moses turned aside to see the bush that did not burn. As he approached it God spoke from the bush saying, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place you are standing is holy ground." From the story one might think of a small bush before which Moses was humbled and overawed. I like instead the way the painting puts the figure in the midst of the conflagration. The fire encompasses the person, yet the person still stands in the heart of the fire. The person appears to have her back to the fire, looking into it and up to it, being met in it or instructed by it. Some might see a hellish scene, but the person shows no sign of torment or agony. In the presence of the fire of God there is wonder and praise. In the presence of the fire of God there is a calling and a work into which one is sent. The fire consumes and refines, even as it does not destroy or leave nothing behind but ashes. "For he is like a refiners fire and like washers' soap, he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver until the present offerings to the LORD in righteousness." Malachi 3:2-3

Moses stood on Holy ground before the fire. He objected strenuously to the call of God that sent him to be the messenger of God. He offered every reason he could to avoid responding to God's call. The fire refined him as God overcame him, his reluctance, fears and objections. When called, Isaiah also found himself enveloped by the fiery, smokey glory of God and objected, "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." The seraph touched his lips with a burning coal and he was made clean. He could no longer object to the call of God. Likewise is the story of Peter when called by Christ. Many a believer voices and feels similar reluctance, objection or inadequacy in the presence of God's call and God's word. . One might be willing to stand in the presence of holiness and the fire, as long as it does not require refinement and call that makes one new and different for the life ahead. A poem based on 12th mystic Meister Eckhart's writings by Jon Sweeny and Mark Burrows speaks to the tension. "You are the light that fire-flames me and I am the darkness that still blames me. You are the love that help-holds me and I am the hate that still scolds me. You are the song that pure-molds me, reminding me of the love that enfolds me. You are the gift that new-names me and shines as a light that enflames me." The tongues of fire that hovered over the disciples at Pentecost made them Apostles, ones who were sent to live and proclaim the good news of God's love in Christ. The fire was the Holy Spirit that refined them and sent them. We are called to faith by this Spirit, and sent despite our reluctance or objections, and in spite of schedules and distractions.

Elizabeth Barret Browning wrote a poem, "Aurora Leigh" that is often connected to the story of Moses and the burning bush. A portion of it says, "Earth's crammed with heaven, And every bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off his shoes. The rest sit around and pluck blackberries." I seek to look at art with eyes to see. Some art is just decorative. But sometimes the decorative calls out a second look and a pause to see. God calls us from a fire, even into a fire, and sends a fire to enflame us. It is the Spirit of God. The fire does not destroy the world, or turn it to ashes in a kind of wrath and vengeance, a holy righteousness of judgment. The fire refines us who are called away from such things, and fills us instead with the presence of God whose compassion and mercy sends us to those who are in need of freedom, hope and love.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer