Monday 26 December 2022

Refined by fire?

During the week someone posted a message on social media about a Malachi 3 message that seems to imply that we are being refined in the fire … God places us in situations that burn away the muck so that we can become more like Him!

Huh?

Really? After what Jesus did? Still?


It is always a good idea to get the context when reading, and especially when quoting verses in the Bible.


But here is the soppy social media story first:


[soppy social media story starts] There was once a group of women studying the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. As 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 the women, and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. 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 this 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 beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.


The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot – then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.


The man answered “Yes”, and explained that he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged.


The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”


He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. When I see my image in it.”


If today you are feeling the heat of this world’s fire, just remember that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ are refining you.  "You are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ." Amen. [soppy social media story ends]


Background check:


Who is Malachi?


Malachi is an old covenant prophet and the last (placed) book in the Old Testament of the Bible. Sadly, the book of Malachi is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood books. It is frequently quoted to condemn people or persuade them to tithe.


The name Malachi is derived from a Hebrew word that means messenger. Some are of the opinion that Malachi and Ezra are one and the same person, but it's best to read Malachi for who he is, a messenger. Yet, others are of the opinion that Malachi is a contemporary of the prophet Nehemiah, dating this book to around 450 BC.


What is Malachi’s agenda?


It is probably worth noting that Malachi is in great awe of the tribe of Judah whilst criticizing other tribes like Levi (the priests and scribes of the day). The book is full of how that the priests and scribes showed a certain disregard for the Law. Remember the only reason the law was given, was because the people asked for it when they were about to meet God standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, sending Moses up instead to tell God that whatever He will ask of them they will do - law.


The prophecy of Malachi at the time was against the nation of Israel that appears to have been in spiritual decline and their common disregard of the love of God. This is especially evident from his opening remarks in the book.


Malachi also rebukes the unholy practices of the day such as divorce (a shadow of their relationship with God), denial of justice (which they asked for), withholding of tithes (a requirement under the law) and marriage with idol worshiping women.


What is Malachi’s real agenda?


Most people miss the fact that the focus of the book is on the coming Messiah, the day of the Lord, the day of reckoning and the fulfillment of the Law.


In his last chapter, Malachi brings it all together when he concludes that it is all about Yah’shua. The appearance of Christ is on the date and time of ultimate judgment and he prophecies the victorious rising of the Righteous One.


Malachi in terms of the finished work of Christ


The spirit of the prophecy is Jesus. All that the messenger says has only this one Person in mind and what He accomplished in the great and awesome day of the Lord.

Back to our misinterpreted Malachi 3 message


Malachi talks about the coming messenger and how the way will be prepared. Suddenly God will be found in the temple (who is the temple? Check out this post). Who can endure His coming? Certainly not the enemy!


It even says against whom this prophecy of refinement in the fire is aimed. The sons of Levi. That is the priests, Pharisees and religious-minded.


The religious mind-set and lies claimed to be the truth, that which comes to steal, kill and destroy will be purged.


After all, what will the purpose be of refining you when you have been made holy, without blemish and righteous before God?


Refining you in the furnace will nullify the precious work of Yah’shua.


But, doesn’t Peter say that we’ll be refined in fire?


No. The enemy will want you to believe that so as to disarm you.


Look carefully at what Peter is saying.


That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7)


This verse is proceeding from the previous where Peter is explaining how that we have a Living Hope, a Certain Salvation - Jesus! He is our inheritance. He is our faith (see this post).


Gold is our own effort, which is put through fire because of our fickle minds, doubds and unbelief.


Peter is saying that in every season of our lives we have a sure Faith that can be applied. So, when our faith comes under trail and is put through the fire, we appropriate Jesus.


Soppy stories


Using some discernment when reading Malachi will help to understand us that we can rest assured in the finished work of Christ.


We do not have to come up with silly, stupid, untrue concoctions to persuade people to receive their free Gift.

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