Dealing With Fires -- Exodus 22:6

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-->“If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain or the standing grain or the field itself is consumed, he who started the fire shall surely make restitution.”

I remember as a very young boy setting a hydro field on fire when my cousin and I tried to smoke our first cigarette.  We were not adept with matchbooks, and needless to say the fire spread through the tall dry summer grass, well, like ‘wildfire’ – exactly what it was.  We were scared as the field started to be consumed.  Fortunately the wind was blowing towards the road where the fire came to a natural extinction and not towards the ravine in the opposite direction.

We had started the fire for sure.  I cannot remember whether it was my cousin or I that actually dropped the culprit match, but it did not matter.  We had to pay restitution.  While the fire engine came with sirens blaring and the firefighters made sure everything was safe, my father came with a broom and I assure you it was not to put the fire out.  He must have thought our rears were burning because he certainly did his best, alternating swats at the posteriors of each of us, until we foolishly believed death by natural burning might have been easier to take.

The point in this verse is simple: What we do foolishly or in ignorance may well have a drastic result or consequence for others – their livelihoods or even their lives.  We are therefore to live our life carefully thinking out our actions before we do them.

Let me give you an example, albeit an insignificant one, but I believe the point will be made. Our grandchildren eat breakfast at our kitchen island counter.  Recently our nine year old was enjoying a full bowl of cereal at one end while his eleven-year-old sister was doing the same thing at the other.  He was sniffling and his sister asked him to blow his nose for she could not stand the noise that made.  He ignored her until she finally got up, went and got a recently opened box of tissues (thus still heavy) and slide it at him across the island hitting his bowl and forcing him to block, like a goalie in hockey, the bowl from crashing onto the floor at which point the consequences would have been obvious, not to mention that I would have blown up even more than I did.

Our granddaughter was trying to be helpful and did what she thought was appropriate.  But the way in which she did it and perhaps her attitude were not worthy of praise.  The consequences could have been pretty drastic on a morning when time is limited and one needs to head off to school.

David Guzik says the following on this verse:

This translates into a proper concern for the property of others today. A Christian, if he backs into someone else's car, will certainly leave a note and make good the damage. A Christian will have proper insurance, guaranteeing they can compensate for someone else's loss. If someone gives you something to hold for them you are responsible for it as a faithful steward or manager. This includes what God gives us to manage or steward for Him.

Matthew Henry adds:

If the fire did mischief, he that kindled it must answer for it, though it could not be proved that he designed the mischief. Men must suffer for their carelessness, as well as for their malice. We must take heed of beginning strife; for, though it seem but little, we know not how great a matter it may kindle, the blame of which we must bear, if, with the madman, we cast fire-brands, arrows, and death, and pretend we mean no harm. It will make us very careful of ourselves, if we consider that we are accountable, not only for the hurt we do, but for the hurt we occasion through inadvertency.

For all of the above, let us be careful to consider in advance the impact of all our actions and while we are at it, our words.

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