And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
There came a fire out from before the Lord - a flame emanating from that resplendent light that filled the holy place, flashed upon the brasen altar, and kindled the sacrifices. This miraculous fire-for the descent of which the people had probably been prepared, and which the priests were enjoined never to let out (Leviticus 6:13) - was a sign, not only of the acceptance of the offerings and of the establishment of Aaron's authority, but of God's actual residence in that chosen dwelling-place. The moment the solemn though welcome spectacle was seen, a simultaneous shout of joy and gratitude burst from the assembled congregation, and in the attitude of profoundest reverence they worshipped 'a present Deity.'