Posted on 08/25/2019 5:26:38 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer” (Proverbs 25:4).
We see this also in 17:3, “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts” (Proverbs 17:3).
The dross is the scum of molten metal, or the impurity in silver or gold. He said, “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.” In other words, something that can be made of value, “a vessel for the finer” to be refined, to be finished. He's the one who finishes the job.
A purifying process for Israel and of course, in the passage, God’s going to teach us that he purifies people and vessels. We are said to be vessels in Second Corinthians. We have this earthen treasure, we have this treasure, in earthen vessel. God purifiers His people in various ways.
Israel's purification takes place in the Tribulation: “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:9).
For the Christian, Second Timothy 2:21, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” The Christian purges, or purifies, himself.
For the church: “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7). It is purified by purging out the old leaven.
Israel will be purged, the Christian is purged by confession and forsaking wicked ways, ungodly ways, worldly ways, carnal ways for God's ways. The church is purged, or purified, by disciplining its members. Of course, the individual disciplines himself to attain a Christian character so there's discipline in all of them. God's going to discipline his people, Israel, in the tribulation.
“Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer,” and so you see what God’s doing with you and I. God is purifying us so there will be a vessel for the finer. One of these days, He'll finish us, He will do the job He's wanted to do all along. He will conform us to the image of his son. That’s really what He wants to do. That's what you are predestined for.
Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!
If anyone would like to be added to the ping list, please let me know either by post or by p.m.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.