Taking Away the Dross - Proverbs 25:4

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse four of Proverbs Solomon shared what happens when you, “take away the dross from the silver” where we read,

Take away the dross from the silver, 

and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

The verse begins, “Take away the dross from the silver, ...” Solomon began with the words, “take away the dross” or “remove and carry away the scoria and refuse” “from the silver” which means “separate and apart from the silver metal”. Solomon gave instruction concerning removing the refuse from silver metal as though melting in a caldron. 

The verse goes on to say, “... and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.” Solomon continued with the words, “and there shall come forth” or “and there will proceed, arise and bring out” “a vessel” which means “an article, implement, object or utensil” “for the finer” or “for the founder, smelter or metalsmith”. Solomon said the result of removing the dross from silver metal would be the bringing out of an article or implement for the smelter. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn see how Solomon employed the example of a refiner removing the sediment from the top of a burning caldron of silver metal. As the “dross” is removed, the silver metal becomes more and more pure. This allows the refiner to make a pure object from the silver, and the same may be said of those who have a personal relationship with Jehovah God through His Son Jesus Christ who was crucified for the sins of the world. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and cleanse us from all impurities so we may be a “vessel of honor” unto Him. (See 1 John 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:4)

Next time Solomon shares what happens when you, “take away the wicked from before the king”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".