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.

priceless masterpiece.

Next, my vision also adds the idea of brewing.  Think about the process of making coffee or tea for a minute.  You start with clear, clean, fresh water.  You turn on the fire to heat things up; when you reach the right temperature the coffee or tea is added.  Once you add the coffee or tea, the brewing process has begun.  The coffee begins to spread through the water changing every last drop – Permanently.  After you begin this process, the coffee or tea can not be removed from the water.  This is what we want to happen with God on our battleground.  Through the process of refinement and brewing with His refining fire, we want it to have a Godly permanent change in our heart – a change that can not be undone.

The Refining Fire

God’s refining fire is the very essence of life as a child of God.  It explains so much about life and why it can be so hard at times.  Also, it explains a lot about our relationship with our creator.  Let’s change our perspective and view our Brewing Ground through the biblical lens of God’s refining fire.  The Bible references God and His refining fire multiple times throughout the scriptures.  Through this series we will take a look at the actual process of refining silver and how it’s used in the Bible to illustrate how we are refined by God.

The Work Begins

Before any silver can be refined it must first be found and mined or taken from the earth.  The book of Job talks about the process of finding and mining ore, the particular rock which contains various precious metals.

“28 Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.  ² Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.  ³ He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.  ⁴ The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.  ⁵ As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.  ⁶ The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.  ⁷ There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:  ⁸ The lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.  ⁹ He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.  ¹⁰ He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.  ¹¹ He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.”  Job 28:1-11 KJV

^“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31 KJV

And they shall mine and have strength to continue on.  Your unique masterpiece is one worth mining and Waiting for.

Let’s Brew!