There is also great debate of the powers of prophets in the scriptures. They considered the prophet's powers to be the works of miracles. This includes the personal miracles of Elijah, in which there are not witnesses. Later in time we begin to see the authority of the prophets challenged by the people. The people begin to see natural phenomena as being associated with divine activity.
Miracles are the concentration of human relations in the political realm.
Fire is a persistent element of miracles of the Mesopotamian Empires, especially Babylonia and Persia. This is seen in the story of Daniel, whose friends survive being thrown into a furnace and being rescued by and unidentified being. We also see the end of the prophets being associated with the death of God. By this time there is no more communication between god and the prophets, but is replaced by dreams and visions. The prophet Jeremiah declares from now on God will only make himself known through miracles, and will hide his face from us.