The American Wisdom Series

Presents Pamphlet #1175  Ezek kc 41

The following is a message from the Lord GOD to whole the House of Israel.
That would be we Christians
since the House of Israel has been scattered throughout the Western world.

Ezekiel 22:17
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

[18] Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.

"Silver is usually found combined with other elements...
in minerals and ores.
Silver occurs as a constituent of lead, copper, and zinc ores,
and half the world's production of silver
is obtained as a by-product in the processing of such ores."
Funk & Wagnall's Encyclopedia, 1986, vol. 23, pg. 425.

The refining process that is used to separate the base metals and the impurities,
called slag or dross,
from gold or silver is called "smelting".

The silver ore is heated to a molten state
in a high temperature blast furnace
and the base metals and the worthless slag separate
from the silver.
Silver melts at 1764 degrees Fahrenheit and boils at about 4014 degrees F.

So, our Father has liken the House of Israel
to that of the base metals and the worthless slag of silver.

In today's language we would just say they are a bunch of "Scumbags"!

[19] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
Do you get the feeling this is not going to be a party or a gala wedding affair?
[20] As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
Uh, oh!
It's going to be a hot time in the old town tonight!
Ezekiel 22:21 Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof.
You know that our Father is not going to literally melt people!
He's simply going to test them in the furnace of judgment.
That which is bad shall be consumed while
that which is good will be separated and purified.
You see, it is written in Hebrews 12:29
"For our God is a consuming fire."
[22] As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.
IF you are "gold" or "silver"
then the fire will not harm you.

If you are "stubble", i.e. straw,
you'll be sent up in smoke in big hurry.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abedneggo,
the three friends of Daniel,
were actually tossed into a literal fire (by the king of Babylon)
and they were not so much as singed or even hickory smoked.

That was done so that we could see that if we are one of God's children
in this final generation, then the fiery darts of Satan (Eph. 6)
and the spiritual blast furnace of verse 22 will not harm us!

Of course Daniel didn't get tossed into the fiery furnace
with his friends, but he was still tried (by fire, figuratively).

He was tossed into a den of ravenous,
hungry lions (see verse 25 to find out who they represent).

From this example we learn that even man eating lions
are as pussy cats when the angel of the Lord is with you.

This concept of being "tried by fire"
has been used by Paul, Peter and even Jesus Christ.
Here are some examples from the New Testament:

1 Cor. 3:11-13
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

If you are gold, silver, or a precious stone
you have nothing to worry about.

If you are wood, hay, or stubble
then the fire will consume you!

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
We are made strong and purified through trials and tribulations.
It gets rid of the slag.

Jesus also had some advice for those of the church of Laodicea,
the types who are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold.

Rev. 3:18 and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
So come on baby, light my fire!

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

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