Sunday, December 7, 2008

The Silversmith

And he shall sit as a refiner

and purifier of silver:

and he shall purify the sons of Levi,
and purge them as gold and silver,
that they may offer unto the LORD
an offering in righteousness.
Malachi 3:3

A Sunday School class began studying this passage of scripture. One of the ladies belonging to the class offered to go to a silversmith and ask him to explain to her the process of refining silver so that the class would have a better understanding of the passage.

She made arrangements to meet the silversmith, but chose not to reveal the purpose of her trip to him. He agreed to show her the process. He put the silver over a fire and sat and watched it.

As he began working, she noticed that he never took his eyes off his work. She asked, “Do you have to watch it every second?

“Oh, yes,” he replied, “If you leave it on too long it will damage the silver. On the other hand, if you take it off too soon, it will not be purified.”

The woman could not help but to draw the parallel between the silversmith and God. God leaves us in the middle of trials for as long as he needs to leave us, and it is for our own good; to purify us.

The woman watched as the dross (impurities) would rise to the top of the silver, and the silversmith would skim it off and dispose of it.

Finally, the silversmith removed the silver from the fire. The woman asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is refined and ready to be used."

“I know it is finished when I see my reflection in it!”

Author Unknown


1 comment:

Rachel said...

Hi! I found your blog through Clara's blog. I am a caregiver too, for my husband who has had 2 strokes.

Great story!!