“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.” – Malachi 3:2-4 (NIV)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”
– Isaiah 43:2
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”
In the passage above, Prophet Malachi paints a picture of the coming of Jesus, which was still several hundred years ahead at the time of the prophecy. When Jesus came to the world, His aim was to establish the New Covenant, which essentially means a new relationship with God; one based on perfect love, mercy, and sacrifice. Just as Malachi prophesied, Jesus’ impact on the world can be likened to a refiner’s work on gold or silver. He came to purify us with His blood; to make us perfect and blameless before God. He works on us as a goldsmith or silversmith works on gold or silver. He is patient, diligent, and wise.
Malachi 3:3 talks about the messenger sitting like a purifier of silver. Some Bible students found this verse and how it ties into the character of Jesus puzzling, so one of them volunteered to find a silversmith and watch him at work and then report what they observed.
Below are the findings and important spiritual lessons we can learn from the craft of silversmithing:
Purification takes place in the hottest point of the fire
To get a clean, lustrous end product, the silversmith will take the ore and put it in the hottest part of the fire, where the flame is pure blue. This is to ensure the ore receives enough heat to burn out the impurities.
The truth is, we’re not strengthened by our easiest days but by the toughest ones. The real test of faith comes after receiving salvation. Like the silversmith, God allows us to go through some difficult situations because He knows we will come out purer and stronger on the other side.
The silversmith patiently sits in front of the fire while the silver is being refined
He doesn’t leave the silver to go grab a cup of coffee or take a nap, he sits there with it the entire time. He has to be there to keep his eyes on the process so it wouldn’t be ruined. If the silver stays too long in the flames, it will get spoilt.
Likewise, though God allows us to go through difficulties, He keeps His eyes on us and makes sure the fire doesn’t destroy us. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).
The silver is fully refined when the silversmith can see his reflection on it
The silversmith was asked how he knows the silver is fully purified and he answered, “Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.” Likewise, we’re fully purified when our lives begin to reflect Jesus; when people look at us and they can see Him.
Becoming like Jesus isn’t instant. It is a process, but if we submit to Him and persevere till the end, we will receive our crowns. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
Conclusion
The silversmith’s fire is not meant to destroy you but to purify you. The challenge you face, be it in your health, business, or relationships, aren’t meant to break you but to strengthen you. The fire may be hot, but you can trust the hands of God. the master silversmith. While you’re
in the fire you may not understand it, but when you come out of it you’ll see that it was all meant for your good. Trust in Him.
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