Zechariah 13:9

We are refined in our trials and tribulations here on earth. How we handle these will determine our growth in the Lord. Precept by precept we will be changed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Malachi 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.

He sits as a Refiner and Purifier of Silver

The story is told of a group of ladies who met together every week to study the Bible. When they got to the book of Malachi in the Old Testament, they came upon the third verse of the third chapter, which says that the Lord “will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. Curious about what this verse was saying about the character of God, one of the women volunteered to find out more about the process of refining silver before their next meeting.

Later in the week, this woman arranged with a local silversmith to go and watch him at work. She didn’t explain the reason for her interest, but merely said that she was interested in the process. As she watched the silversmith working on a particular piece, he explained that the only way to purify and refine silver is to hold it in the middle of the fire where the flames are the hottest so that all the impurities are burned away.

The woman thought back on Malachi 3:3, and remembered that it specifically mentioned that God sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was important for him to stay there the entire time the silver was being refined, or if he could walk away and come back later.

The silversmith told her that he not only had to stay there, he had to keep his eyes on the silver every second, because if it was left in the flames even a moment too long, it would be damaged.

Intrigued, the woman asked how he knew the exact moment the silver was fully refined.

The silversmith smiled knowingly and said “That’s easy. I know it’s refined when I see my image reflected in it.”

When we feel the heat of the Refiner’s fire throughout our day to day trials and heartaches, what a precious comfort it is to know that our God is still fully in control, His eyes never leave us, and there is purpose in the struggle. And what strength and confidence we gain from the knowledge that we are “predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son” (Romans 8:29).

Zechariah 13:9

9 I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ” The New King James Version

A covenant formula expressing the intimate relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Hosea uses this formulaic language to describe breaking as well as restoring the relationship. Faithlife Study Bible

The remnant that survives will be purged, purified, and reestablished in a covenant relationship with God. The smelting pot uses intense heat to separate the dross from pure metal. tested: Once refined, precious metal must be analyzed to determine its value. The expressions this is My people and the Lord is my God recall the covenant (Leviticus. 26:12) and speak here of a covenant renewal to a spiritually revitalized Israel. The NKJV Study Bible

Because of the sin of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ, and in opposing his gospel, the Romans would destroy the greater part. But a remnant would be saved. And if we are his people, we shall be refined as gold; he will be God, and the end of all our trials and sufferings will be praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Exodus 6:7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Leviticus 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Jeremiah 30:22 ‘You shall be My people,And I will be your God.’ ”