There was a group of women in a Bible study the book of Malachi. When they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver ...."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of them offered to find out the process of refining silver for the next Bible study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him work. She did not mention the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process.
She was watching it. He took a piece of silver and over the fire, leaving him warm.
He explained that in refining silver, one has to hold it right in the center of the flame, where it is hot and burns the impurities.
The woman thought about God, that sometimes, holding us in such a hot spot again and thought in verse: 'And will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver ... "
She asked the silversmith if he really had to sit all the time in front of the fire while the silver was being refined.
He said yes, that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to also keep your eyes on it all the time she was in flames. If the silver was left a moment over the fire, would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment.
Then she asked: 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled and said:
'Oh, that's easy ... When I see my image in it. '
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God's eyes are upon you and that He will be taking care of you until He sees His image in you.
Whatever you are going for sure will come out 'refined (a)' at the end (:
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of them offered to find out the process of refining silver for the next Bible study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him work. She did not mention the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process.
She was watching it. He took a piece of silver and over the fire, leaving him warm.
He explained that in refining silver, one has to hold it right in the center of the flame, where it is hot and burns the impurities.
The woman thought about God, that sometimes, holding us in such a hot spot again and thought in verse: 'And will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver ... "
She asked the silversmith if he really had to sit all the time in front of the fire while the silver was being refined.
He said yes, that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to also keep your eyes on it all the time she was in flames. If the silver was left a moment over the fire, would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment.
Then she asked: 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled and said:
'Oh, that's easy ... When I see my image in it. '
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God's eyes are upon you and that He will be taking care of you until He sees His image in you.
Whatever you are going for sure will come out 'refined (a)' at the end (:
