God’s Refining Fire – Part 2

Part 1

Part 1 of the series focused on getting the ore.   The ore is the particular rock which contains valuable, precious metals which hold an unlimited amount of potential for creating beautifully, unique, priceless masterpieces.  In fact, there are different kinds of ore; all which contain multiple types of metals.  Refinement is the only way to isolate a particular precious metal and remove all the other metals and impurities in order to find the treasure within.  Before you can begin the refinement process, you must first find the ore, mine it, and then crush it and break down into a workable state.

Finding Treasure

The McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia talks about the process of refining silver from lead sulfide ore in biblical times.  It states:

“The lumps of ore were first pounded, and then sifted through sieves into water. The sediment was again pounded, and again filtered, and after this process had been repeated five times the water was drawn off. The remainder of the ore is then melted, the lead poured away, and the silver left pure.” (McClintock, Strong; Mine)

Did you catch that?  The ore is washed in order to be ready for the furnace.  After the water is removed, the ore is now ready for the fining pot, also known as a crucible or melting-pot.  These pots were designed to withstand extreme temperatures in order to be placed directly into the fire.

Refining

^“3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.”  Psalm 12:6 KJV

After the crucible is placed into the fire, the refiner watches the silver very carefully.  The McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia provides an illustration of Malachi 3:2-3 which talks about this very process.  Let’s start by looking at the verse.

^“2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:  ³ And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”  Malachi 3:2-3 KJV

The illustration of these verses describe what the molten ore looks like as it is under the watchful care of the refiner.  The McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia states:

“Mr. Napier (Metals of the Bible, page 24) deduces a striking illustration of Mal 3:2-3, He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver,” etc. “When the alloy is melted upon a cupel, and the air blown upon it, the surface of the melted metals has a deep orange-red color, with a kind of flickering wave constantly passing over the surface. As the process proceeds, the heat is increased and in a little time the color of the fused metal becomes lighter. At this stage the refiner watches the operation, either standing or sitting, with the greatest earnestness, until all the orange color and shading disappears.”.(McClintock, Strong; Mine)

Let’s review the refinement steps discussed so far.

1. First, the ore must be found, mined, and broken down into a workable state.
2. The ore is then washed and filtered.  What was filtered is broken down more and washed again.  This continues until the ore has been washed and filtered 5 times.
3. The water is removed and the ore is then placed in the fining pot, or crucible.
4. The refiner places the crucible directly in the fire while keeping a very watchful eye.  This is critical; if the molten ore is not watched carefully and kept at the correct temperature, the silver may become unworkable.

Epiphany

As I was researching the process to refine silver and the biblical references to it, I had an epiphany.  (Epiphany – One of my favorite words!)  It all came together in an instance and reminded me of how Jesus saves.

1. First, Jesus finds and calls us.  He begins the mining process and breaks us down into a workable state.  This leads up to the moment in which you realize you need Jesus.  When you know He is calling you and you long for a change; a chance to live for Him.
2. Once you know, it is time to be filtered and washed.
   

   “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  1 John 1:7 KJV

   • You are washed and filtered by the blood of Jesus.  First, you must believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  Next, ask forgiveness for your sins. Decide to repent, change how you are living and turn from your sins.  Now the most important part –  give your life to God and ask Jesus to live in your heart.  This is how you are saved and cleansed of all sin by Jesus’ blood.  He washes us white as snow.  This is how you receive eternal life.  Thank you Jesus!
     

     “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6 KJV

   • Now, your first act of obedience is to be “washed” in baptism as a profession of your faith.
3. After being broken down, washed, and filtered – you are ready to be placed in your crucible to remove the impurities.
4. Your refiner, God, now places your crucible directly into His refining fire.  He is right there with you, holding you, and keeping a very watchful eye.  Welcome to your Brewing Ground.  Your treasure will be found!

The best is yet to come.  Join me next Monday for God’s Refining Fire – Part 3; we will delve into discovering the glorious conclusion of God’s Refining Fire.

Until Then – Let’s Brew!

References:

McClintock, J. & Strong, J. (1880). Mine. In McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/M/mine.html.