Part 13: When the Fire Goes Out – Spiritual Numbness, False Peace, and the Call to Burn Again
Bible Study | Ecclesiastes Wilderness Series
A Prophetic Warning from Ecclesiastes and the Condition of the Modern Church
Part 13: When the Fire Goes Out – Spiritual Numbness, False Peace, and the Call to Burn Again
Solomon didn’t rage—he faded. This post explores the quiet death of spiritual fire and warns of the numbness creeping into the Church. The fire must not go out.
INTRODUCTION
Solomon once watched fire fall from heaven.
“And the fire came down from the heavens and consumed the burnt offering…”
— 2 Chronicles 7:1
But by the time he wrote Ecclesiastes, the fire was gone.
Not from the altar—but from his heart.
He became numb.
Detached. Analytical. Cynical.
He started to observe life instead of engaging it.
And worse, he called it wisdom.
Ecclesiastes Is the Sound of a Cold Spirit
“So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly…” — Ecclesiastes 2:12
“There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil…” — Ecclesiastes 2:24
“The wise dies just like the fool.” — Ecclesiastes 2:16
Solomon didn’t lose his knowledge.
He lost his fire.
This is spiritual numbness—
when the soul still speaks, but no longer burns.
When the voice is clever, but no longer convicted.
When the eyes see, but no longer weep.
He no longer felt the weight of sin or the glory of Yahweh’s presence.
He began to speak like one removed from covenant, instead of a man carried by it.
This is false peace—calm on the outside, but lifeless inside.
The Church Today Is Echoing Ecclesiastes
We quote Scripture, but don’t tremble.
We build stages, but not altars.
We celebrate growth, but not holiness.
We preach about freedom, but feel nothing.
We call passivity “maturity,” and fire “legalism.”
This is not wisdom.
This is not balance.
This is the fire going out—and no one crying about the smoke.
The Fire Was Never Meant to Go Out
“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it shall not go out.”
— Leviticus 6:13
Solomon forgot that.
He watched the fire fall… but didn’t tend it.
He built the altar… but didn’t guard it.
He gave his heart to many… and let the flame die quietly.
The same happens to us when we:
Tolerate idols
Ignore conviction
Downplay holiness
Justify compromise
Prioritize relevance over reverence
And we wonder why we feel empty.
When the Fire Goes Out, False Peace Moves In
Solomon wasn’t angry.
He wasn’t rebellious.
He was… tired.
“What has been is what will be… and there is nothing new under the sun.” — Ecclesiastes 1:9
This is the language of burnout.
Of disappointment.
Of spiritual disconnection dressed up in poetic insight.
But Yahweh doesn’t call us to numb survival.
He calls us to burn.
“He makes His servants flames of fire.” — Psalm 104:4
Let the Fire Fall Again—On a Rebuilt Altar
Yahweh is calling the Bride to rebuild the altar and cry out again.
Not for success, but for holiness.
Not for balance, but for boldness.
Not for entertainment, but for eternal truth.
Solomon gives us the picture of what happens when fire fades.
Yahushua shows us what happens when fire returns:
“Did not our hearts burn within us… as He opened the Scriptures to us?” — Luke 24:32
The fire can return.
But the altar must be ready.
Jesus enters Jerusalem, c1630
| Nicolas Poussin
ROOTED IN THE WORD
“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” — Leviticus 6:13
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Master.” — Romans 12:11
“I know your works… you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other.” — Revelation 3:15
“He makes His ministers a flame of fire.” — Psalm 104:4
“Do not quench the Spirit.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19
GRACE METHOD Reflection
G – Grounded in Scripture
Ecclesiastes 1–2, Leviticus 6, Revelation 3, Psalm 104, Romans 12
R – Reflecting on Context
Solomon’s numbness was not wisdom—it was the result of a fire untended and a heart divided. The Church today faces the same danger. But Yahweh has not changed. The fire can fall again—if we rebuild the altar.
A – Applying to Your Life
Has my heart grown numb? Have I traded fire for routine? Have I allowed false peace to take the place of holy conviction?
C – Communing with God
Yahweh, reignite my heart. Burn away everything cold, passive, and numb. Make me a flame of fire for Your Name again. I don’t want to reason—I want to burn.
E – Exalting God
You are a consuming fire. I exalt You, not with cold lips but with a burning heart. Let my life be an altar, and my obedience the wood. Come and light me up again.
PERSONAL DECLARATION
I will not be numb.
I will not call confusion wisdom.
I will not live without fire.
I rebuild the altar. I cry out for more.
Let the fire fall again.
In Yahushua’s Name, Amein.
SHARE YOUR FAITH
False peace is killing the Bride’s fire.
Share this post with someone who’s grown cold—but doesn’t want to stay that way.
Let the fire fall again. It’s not too late.
