Refining Silver

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures, and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One lady's opinion was that is was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject.

She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her. "But Sir" she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes, madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that the only way that he knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver....

--Author Unknown

We are as Silver

Mal 3:3

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.

The Bible counts us liken to silver. Wow, what is that so? I did some reading on silver and found out that:

1. Silver is a precious metal. It is rare. It is even used as currencies, not so long ago. :) So we are precious and rare to God.

2. Silver is extremely useful. It is being use in electronics, in photography, in medicines, in chemical process, in ornaments, as a currency, and even as food and clothing in some places. Ha, ha, So we are actually very very useful indeed. Mmmm...

3. Silver is beautiful. It has a beautiful bright white shine. It is used as ornaments. Hey, we are beautiful. :)

4. Silver exists in an ore state, compounded with other elements such as copper, chloride, sulfur, etc. So much impurities. Not much of good use or any beauty in this state. :(

5. It requires refining with fire to bring it out in its pure form. Only the pure form is good. Yeeks! Fire, that sounds real hard and painful. :( Here, the Lord is as in Malachi 3:3, the very skilled silversmith who refine his silver. The silver is with impurities. The impurities brings down the value of the precious silver. These impurities makes the silver less useful and take away its beauty. The silversmith has to burn away all these unwanted impurities. He does so by putting the silver right into the middle of a fire. While doing so, the silversmith holds the silver in his hand and keep his eyes on the silver. He will never leave the silver unguarded even for a moment on the fire, as the silver can be destroyed by the fire.

This speaks a very comforting message to me. The Lord wills that we, silver-ore, and with all our impurities or sin, is to be refined and to be made pure for a better purpose. He does so through fire or trials in our life. However, His presence is with us. His hands and eyes are on us all the time. Awesome !

6. Refined pure silver is soft, very ductile and malleable. Only soft, ductile and malleable silver can be shaped and worked. Are we soft enough for the Lord for His shaping and working? And hence to be made into something of even higher value, something more useful or something even more beautiful?

7. The silversmith has an idea of the end product even before he fashion the silver. This reminds me that the Lord does has a purpose prepared before hand for each and everyone of us. And that we should put our hope in this purpose as in Jeremiah 29:11.

8. While refining the silver on fire, the silversmith knows that the silver is ready and is pure as it become bright, clear, beautiful and reflects the silversmith's image. Yes, in our refined state we can reflect our dear Lord, Christlikeness. For we are indeed made in His image.