Why is fire God's choice punishment?

                                    

God destroying people by fire is a common theme throughout the Bible. I have read over it in several different places. It states in Isaiah 66:15-16 “For behold, the LORD will come in fire, And his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many.”

I cannot help but think of God’s promise to Noah. God said he would never again destroy the Earth with a flood or water again. Is fire more merciful? The article “The Fire of God’s Punishment” by Spotts (http://www.icr.org/article/21880/) gives a list of all the times God’s judgment by fire is listed. It doesn’t go on to explain why fire? Instead it talks about salvation through Jesus and preventing an eternity in Hell. Hell is God's final punishment and not relevant to my current question. I found this site to be less than helpful answering my question but I included it. I really liked the list of references to fire in the Bible and found them most useful.

The second source http://theblackcordelias.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/purifying-fire-or-judgement/ explains that fire can be used as punishment or pacification purposes from God. I liked this blog because it shows several different Bible references to “FIRE” and how God used it based on their interpretation. This gave me some insight on why God would choice his method of destruction by fire. God wants to purify the land that he destroyed. Fire would be a more effective way to accomplish this goal. Nothing can escape fire. Everything living will be destroyed by using fire as the weapon.

In Genesis God used a ring of fire to protect the tree of life from Adam and Eve after they took from the tree of knowledge. God also destroyed the city of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire. God made it rain fire as a plague on to Egypt. Also God made the Israelite destroy concurred lands with fire. During the Old Testament time period, Jews were to offer sacrifices to God through burnt offerings. Fire plays a very prominent role in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. But the Question of Why God use fire is still a mystery. Whether purification purposes or total destruction, we may never fully grasp the justifications of God’s actions. I think personally that is the point of the author’s of the Bible. God is God and He does what he does because He can. Job never received answers and was scolded for asking. Why should we expect more?