Refining
“To smelt, refine, test”
Summary
Refining was the process of purifying precious metals by fire, used throughout Scripture as a powerful metaphor for God's purifying work in the lives of His people.
☩The Process
Ancient refiners purified gold and silver by heating them in crucibles until impurities (dross) rose to the surface and could be skimmed away. The refiner watched carefully, maintaining the proper temperature and knowing the process was complete when he could see his reflection in the molten metal. This painstaking craft provided rich imagery for spiritual purification.
☩God as Refiner
Malachi portrays the coming Messiah as 'a refiner's fire' who will 'sit as a refiner and purifier of silver' and purify the sons of Levi. God uses trials and afflictions as His refining fire, burning away the dross of sin and worldliness from His people's lives. 'I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.'
☩Faith Tested by Fire
Peter describes trials as the testing of faith, which is 'much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire.' The purpose is that faith, when proved genuine through testing, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at Christ's appearing. What seems painful is actually God's loving work to produce pure, proven faith.
Related Verses10 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Refining," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Refine; Refiner; Refining," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Refiner," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).