Malachi Series

September 25, 2021

We have arrived at the end of the Old Testament.

We know nothing about the man, “Malachi” or the specific dates of his ministry. We do, however, get some clues from the text:

The use of “governor” instead of “king” in Ch. 1:8 and references to the Temple being up and running in Ch. 1:7-10; 2:11; 3:1, lead us to the conclusion that Malachi’s ministry occurred after the Babylonian exiles returned to Judea and the rebuilding of the Temple was complete - pointing to a time after 515 BC.

After the exile, wholesale idolatry never again occurred. However, that does not mean that God’s People suddenly became the holy nation He had always intended for them to be:

• They were bringing imperfect sacrifices = 1:7-8

• The priesthood was corrupt = 2:7-9

• The men of Israel were marrying non-Israelite women who worshipped idols = 2:11-12

• They were withholding their tithes and offerings = 3:8-9

If truth be told, we’ve seen this before – new group, same story…..

Which brings us to My Favorite Thing About MALACHI – The Refiner and Purifier of Silver.

Malachi 3:3 - He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness…

This verse was directed to the religious representatives in Judea, but there is no question that this visual applies to all who call themselves Jesus Followers.

Silver…….

• Is the best conductor of heat and electricity.

• Is strong, can be molded {malleable} or made into wire {ductile}, and can endure extreme temperature ranges.

• Resists corrosion, doesn’t rust and is non-perishable.

• Has a remarkable ability to destroy bad bacteria while not causing harm to healthy bacteria.

• Makes antibiotics more effective.

• Is the best reflector of light. As a result, it was used in ancient times to make mirrors.

Story:

There was a group of ladies studying the book of Malachi.

When they came to, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver”

They wondered how this verse reflected the character and nature of God.

One of the ladies volunteered to go interview the town silversmith

She asked the silversmith many questions but did not mention the Bible verse or the reason for her visit.

As she watched him work, she noticed that he held the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were the hottest. He explained that he did this in order to burn away all the impurities.

She thought about the verse again and then asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit in front of the fire the entire time the silver was being refined.

He answered yes. Not only did he have to sit there the entire time, but he had to keep his eye on the silver the entire time because if it was left for a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

For a moment she did not speak, but then she asked, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”

He smiled and answered, “Oh, that part is easy – when I see my image reflected in it.”

I had quite the challenge zeroing in on the process of refining silver. There are actually several ways of doing it but the same is true for whichever process you choose.

Silver is generally found in a combined state in nature. A typical ore might contain 0.085 percent silver {a noble metal}, 0.5 percent lead, 0.5 percent copper, and 0.3 percent antimony or any other combination of what are known as base metals – also known as sulfides.

Because the base metals are “difficult and rebellious”, the ore is exposed to a very high temperature which separates the noble metal from the base metals. This occurs because noble metals and base metals do not melt at the same temperature. Lead, for instance, melts at 620.6° F, while silver melts at 1764° F.

Refining silver is a very precise and deliberate affair – known as Cupellation. It is not something you “wing”. You need the right space, the right material, the right tools, the right temperature and the right mold. It needs to be heated just so, cooled just long enough and dipped into water at just the right time in order to produce beautiful and reflective silver.

In order to avoid damage to the silver the refiner must watch this process carefully because silver can be damaged by a phenomenon called hot cracking. This occurs when the metal stays too hot for too long.

Every time I read our short story I am moved. Not because of the process but because of the results.