Proverbs 17:3 (NASBStr)
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.
Proverbs 17:3 (ESV)
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the LORD tests hearts.
Everyone in life will go through multiple examines. Some will be in the arena of the mental. Some in the arena of the physical. Some will be in the arena of the spiritual. That is what Solomon is talking about in the above proverb. He is telling us that just like silver and gold is made better in a furnace so, too, God will put us through a test to improve our relationship with Him. God is in the business of conforming His children to the image of His Son. He uses "examines" to make that happen. The word in the second line above is "tests". The first time the word is used in the Old Testament was when Joseph saw his brothers. He sent them back to their (his) father while keeping one of their brothers captive. Note how the word us used below:
Genesis 42:15
... by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here!
God puts us in similar situations in life to assure that we are refined to God's will for our lives. God wants us to come forth as gold does in the refining fire. Note how Peter states the same truth:
1 Peter 1:7
... so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
We can rest assured, however, that God is in charge of refining process. Because we can rest assured that God is in charge of the process we can have peace, no matter the heat of the fire. We can relax and even embrace the fire because we know who has the temperature gage in His hand.
Taking a test is typically a frightful thing for people. Yes, there are those who embrace having their knowledge or skill measured, but most people don't. It is not that we don't like the test but we don't like seeing the results. In this Proverb we read that not only that God tests our hearts (the measurement is that we are to love the Lord with "all" our hearts, souls and minds) but that the testing of our hearts is as natural as a refining pot is for silver and a furnace for gold. To really appreciate this proverb and to embrace the truth of it we have to remember what a furnace and a refining pot do for gold and silver ... they make it what it is supposed to be. Without the fire and without the furnace the silver and gold are only dull rocks. God's testing of us is not like a pop-quiz from a history teacher. God is testing us for the purpose of refining us. He is burning off the chaff to make us shine as gold and silver. Embrace the test today - you'll look better tomorrow.
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