The Refiner

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3 which says, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…”

This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement means about the character and nature of God. They also wondered what it meant to be refined like silver. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week, the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver refining beyond her own curiosity about the process. As she watched the silversmith, he explained about the process of refining silver. He placed the silver in a crucible, and lit a fire underneath it. He explained that the silver has to be melted at high temperature, and that temperature has to be maintained for a long time so that the impurities that are bonded to the silver are drawn out and can then be separated from the precious metal and cast away.

The woman thought again about Malachi 3:3. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the crucible the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered yes, and that he not only had to sit there, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the crucible. He explained that if the silver was left even a moment too long in the crucible, or the fire became too hot, the silver would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. The she asked the silversmith “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” The silversmith smiled and answered, “Oh, that's easy. When I see my image reflected in it.”

                        Author Unknown

These days, refining silver is for the most part a much more technical process involving 21 st century processes that would boggle the minds of refiners from ages past. The process has changed, but the end result is still the same. The goal is to separate the silver from the dross, or impurities, so the silver can be made into something useful and beautiful. It is still a labor-intensive process. It requires the time, patience, attention, and care of the refiner. And because silver is very soft when the impurities have been removed from it (99.9% pure), the refiner can work and form a single sheet or piece of silver at room temperature as it is being hammered, shaped, and formed into the thing the refiner envisions it to be; the thing he purposes it to be.

As I thought about the story of the refiner, and how it is a picture of God as the Refiner, and us as the silver, I wanted to go deeper in understanding the process of refining silver. I wanted to understand the nature of silver from something mined from the earth to something useful to man. I wanted to understand the many uses of silver, why it has always been so sought after. I wanted to get inside the head of a refiner of silver, like the lady from our story, so I could better understand why he does what he does with the silver. I wanted to see just what exactly is the deeper truth held in all the scriptures that refer to silver and the refining of it, so I could better understand the meaning the Author is wanting to convey to us. Along the way, I discovered many things that we as Christians can apply to our lives and our relationship to the Father. Please allow me to share some of this with you.

Mining silver is expensive. God's investment in us is also very expensive. It required the life of His Son Jesus. Silver, like Christians, can be found all over the world. Like Christians, there are locations where silver is more abundant, but it still must be drawn out of its natural environment in order to be useful, just like Christians. If you leave it buried in the deep darkness, it is of no use. It must be brought out into the daylight for the process of refining to begin.

In Biblical times, a conical furnace with a forced air draught conduit underneath it was used to refine metals. In Proverbs 17:3 and 27:21 we read, “The crucible for silver…”. A clay crucible containing the silver to be refined rested on a bed of coals or charcoal. The smoke and flames were exhausted through the chimney at the apex of the cone. Silver has a melting point of 1762 ° F. This is the temperature the silver has to be brought to under the careful and attentive watch of the refiner. He cannot allow his attention to be distracted away from the silver once the refining has begun. Our Refiner understands that He must also not allow the heat to exceed the safety margin for the silver; otherwise it will be damaged or destroyed. If he allows the temperature to drop below this point, then the silver will begin to solidify, and the process of removing the impurities has to begin all over again.

The Refiner has total and complete understanding and knowledge of the properties of the silver He is subjecting to this purification process. He also knows and understands that this is necessary if the silver is going to be of use to him, or anyone else. He has to change the form which the silver currently exists in, into a completely different form, so the impurities can be removed. This can only be achieved through high temperatures for a predetermined period of time.

When the Lord places us in our crucible of affliction, He is only too aware of how much heat we can withstand. He also knows that it is for our own good that we must go through the process of change, from one form, which for the most part looks like any other lump, into something that will shine and dazzle, giving beauty, pleasure, and purpose to the Refiner. Our Refiner sits in front of the crucible He has placed us in, skimming off the dross, until he can see only His reflection in us. Since He is present with the silver, He also feels the heat of the crucible, although not to the extent the silver does. But He does understand just how hot it is; hot enough to change the object of His affection and attention from a solid into a molten liquid. Our Refiner must get the crucible hot enough to cause us to let go of the dross that may be separating us from fulfilling His purposes in our lives. If you ever wondered where God is when you are in a crucible, He is right there with you, paying close attention, removing the dross from your life, so He can move you to the next season of growth where He will actually begin to shape you for use in His kingdom. Remember, the silver must be melted before the dross can be removed and we can reflect the image of the Refiner.

Just because the dross has been removed from the silver, that does not mean the Refiner is finished with it. He is only getting started. Next comes the process of molding and shaping. Because of the nature and properties of silver, the Refiner can work the silver at room temperature, unlike steel, iron, or lead, which must be extremely hot in order to be shaped.

Our refiner has many tools with which He will use on His precious silver. He will use perhaps a hammer, a rolling mill, an anvil, ring pins, and stakes. He does have a variety of other tools at the ready, and will use whatever He needs to form us for the specific purpose He has in mind.

One of the properties of purest silver is it tends to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, just like salt! Hippocrates wrote that silver had beneficial healing and anti-disease properties. Silver and silver compounds have been used throughout the ages in medicine. Before antibiotics came into wide use, silver compounds were used to prevent infection. It also reduces odor in clothing when applied to the threads. The ancient Phoenicians stored water, wine, and vinegar in silver bottles to prevent spoiling. Highly polished silver has been used for centuries for its reflective properties, and is still used today in the same manner when applied to a surface in a process called silvering. Silver also has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal, except gold. It is the solder in your computer and circuit boards. Perhaps the connectors in the back of your electronic equipment are silver. Silver is used in specialized optic coatings. So you see, when our Refiner sets you in the crucible, He already has a specific purpose in mind for you once He has removed the dross.

And just as our Refiner takes special care with us when He is refining us, He also applies the same care when molding and shaping. Each blow from His hammer is gently and carefully placed, so as not to damage us, but to shape us. He may use many different hammers and other tools to achieve His goal. But he is careful; His touch is tender and loving.

Sometimes the silver He is shaping may becomes brittle, almost to the breaking point. In order to preserve its integrity, he will heat the silver up to red hot and then plunge it into an acid bath. This may seem cruel, but it actually helps to make the silver easier to work with, and in the end, stronger and more durable.

Malachi 3:2b – 3a reads like this,

For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.

The LORD God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are both Refiner's Fire and Refiner, separating the dross from the silver. They are also the launderer's soap, removing the spots and blemishes. Jesus came to separate the vile from that which is precious. He brings division not peace (Luke 12:51-53). The gospel of Jesus shall purify and reform His people.

Titus 2:14 tells us Jesus “…gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness (dross) and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” Parenthesis add is mine.

We as Christians are the spiritual sons of Levi. The tribe of Levi was holy and sanctified to serve Yahweh in the temple. We are also called to serve Him. Just as the tribe of Levi served Yahweh in the temple, we now serve Yahweh through our relationship with Jesus His Son, who has sanctified us with His blood. We are holy and set apart, a holy priesthood.

And we serve a High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, because He was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He remained sinless (Heb. 4:15).

We have been baptized by the Holy Spirit and fire, because the Holy Spirit works in us like fire, purifying us. The Holy Spirit purifies us inwardly, removing the dross, which rendered us useless vessels to Him. Having been purified in the crucible of our afflictions, we are now a precious possession, both useful and valuable to Him.

Finally, the word of God is also useful for drawing out the dross in our lives. Hebrews 4:12-13 tells us,

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Your Bible is the only collection of books you will ever read that actually reads you. Through it, God allows us to see ourselves for who we are, and God for who He is. Just like when Isaiah had his vision of God at the beginning of chapter 6 in the book of Isaiah, or when Paul had his Damascus road encounter with Jesus as recorded in Acts chapter 9. Both men began to undergo a purification process. And as we read and study God's word, it becomes in us the sword described in Hebrews. Do not struggle against it. Allow it to do its job, what it was designed for. You will find freedom and peace.

Bob's Bio:

Bob Kemp is an ordained Deacon, helps to teach two Sunday School classes, and serves on two additional committees at his church. He has been heavily involved in ministry since he accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1992. He has served as a Youth Pastor, and also pastored young men at a correctional facility for juvenile offenders, where he led many to Christ. Bob enjoys reading, writing, and sharing the gospel with others. He has written a Christian book for young readers and hopes to someday see it published and used as a tool to reach children with the love and good news of Jesus Christ. He is married to a lady he calls his love gift from God, has a grown son, and two grown step-sons. He works at Praise Ministries in Lindale , Texas . Your comments are greatly appreciated. You can contact Bob Kemp directly with your feedback and/or comments at bob.kemp@att.net . You may also leave your comments and/or feedback at feedback@heartbeatthemagazine.com .

The New International Version , ( Grand Rapids , MI : Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.