Refined in the Furnace 
 
If you have read the last few articles on this web site* in chronological order you could not help noticing that passages from the Psalms have been freely used. You will also have seen that a book written by Derek Prince called "Chords From David's Harp" - studies from the Psalms - was also quoted from. This may seem to be by coincidence, but it's now apparent that this is not so, but by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, as you shall shortly agree. 
 
In the article "Thy Sword" we saw that the Lord God's sword was the knowledge given to David that his soul could be delivered from the wicked; which in the New Covenant was accomplished when Jesus Christ rose from the dead and removed the power that death holds, for those who believe in Him and His resurrection. 
 
In the New Covenant the Bible is God's sword in the hands of believers. (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 6:17) 
 
Please bear in mind that in the time of David he was under the law as written by Moses. This meant that much of the Bible as we know it was not yet written. In fact, the happenings and writings of David and his seed form much of the Old Covenant. 
David had much less holy writings to go on than we and yet the Psalms have a special place in every Christian's heart. David was one of the few people written about in the Old Covenant who knew the Holy Spirit, and in his righteousness wrote down what God taught him. 
 
In the article "Out of the Mouths of Babes" something was written about man's spiritual reluctance to read Scripture, especially the "old fashioned" English of the Authorised version. 
The following extract from Derek Prince's book supernaturally links these two articles and clarifies doubts that may have occurred in your mind concerning Bible versions - God's sword. 
 
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. 
(Psalm 12:6) 
 
These are the words that are brought to us in Scripture. They are flawless - without error - totally and absolutely reliable. Do you perhaps wonder at that statement, knowing that these words have come to us through human agents, men who were weak and fallible, and who made many mistakes? (Often, in fact, their mistakes were actually recorded in Scripture.) How then can it be that the Bible's message is absolutely infallible and authoritative? 
To answer this question, David presents us with a vivid picture - a picture of silver being purified in an oven of clay. (Such clay ovens are still used among the peoples of the Middle East today.) In David's picture there are three main elements: the furnace of clay; the silver that is to be purified; and the purifying fire. 
The furnace of clay represents the human instruments through whom the message of Scripture is brought. The silver represents the message itself. The purifying fire represents the work of the Holy Spirit. The silver is purified "seven times." In Scripture the number seven is particularly associated with the Holy Spirit. In his vision on Patmos, for example, John saw the Holy Spirit as "seven lamps of fire" (Revelation 4:5 KJV). Secondarily, the number seven suggests completeness or perfection. 
As the words of Scripture come to us through the furnace of human clay, they have been completely purified by the fire of the Holy Spirit. The "dross" of human error has been fully purged. Thus they are flawless. 
"For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:21). 
 
Faith's response 
 
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold (Psalm 119:72). 
 
 
Many words have been printed about the pros and cons of the Authorised version (KJV) of the Bible, some men even bending the truth to show that this version (and it is a version) is God's unadulterated word. This writer has found inconsistencies in this Bible version - made by men who saw through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13). However, by the prompting of the Holy Spirit and by doing a little research it was revealed that the inconsistencies came about as the result of the writer's and translators' genuine attempts to tell it as it was. 
Research that anyone can do will also show that the "modern" versions have input from persons who do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit and persons who are the tools of Satan. 
 
Many New Covenant writers warned us that this would come about. (1 John 4:1) 
 
So, this writing is for you who are seeking the truth but are using one of these new versions as an aid. 
It is hoped that you will repress your rejection of these statements and do a little righteous research - after all, knowing the truth and your earnestness in seeking it is a virtue that is constantly encouraged by God. (Proverbs 2 :1-15) 
Should you be satisfied that the Bible version from which you are reading is now the best available, do not think that it shall be difficult to understand, because the indwelling Holy Spirit can show you truths that were hidden by Satan's smoke screens before. 
If Satan has tampered with God's written word, how can I learn God's will? 
 
At this moment you may be confused, thinking "what on earth is this man talking about; I got saved by reading just one Scripture passage from one of the new versions?" 
My friend, we are not talking about being converted, but staying converted: by learning what God expects of us. 
If it's true that Satan has been able to tamper with the word of God (His Sword), how can one expect to learn God's will? 
 
After a few years of daily Bible readings, first from various of the new versions, and then from the Authorised version after feeling a lack of spiritual guidance, I started searching and was shown that if man's input is added or words or punctuation marks are removed or shoved around in the sentence, God's Holy Spirit is hampered. 
This writer has read the Bible, particularly the New Covenant, many times and yet there are numerous occasions when the Holy Spirit reveals a secret in a verse or passage that was hidden on previous readings. It was needed for that occasion. 
Take for example, the above test passage. 
In Mr Prince's book it reads as follows: 
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. 
(Psalm 12:6)
 
In the AV it is written so:
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 
(Psalms 12:6)
 
At first glance it's much clearer in the first example; and here the intention is not to denigrate Mr Prince's reputation or ministry in any way as he is undoubtedly blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life, but he is fishing for the Lord, trying to get sinners converted and uses any legal bait that he can. 
You who are reading this is already a prisoner of the Lord or you would have given up reading this article long ago, so let's research what is "hidden" from casual eyes. 
The most obvious difference seems to be the word "tried" not so? 
On first reading, the new version seems clearer and you "understand" what the translator is getting at. Here is the problem, the translator "simplified" the meaning as he or she saw it, but perhaps not as God wanted it. We are cautioned in the Proverbs chapter two passage mentioned earlier to seek the truth as hidden treasure, as silver. This therefore confirms Mr Prince's comments about the dross of human error. 
When reading the test passage in context - the whole Psalm - (which we shall study later on) we are inclined to gloss over the meaning of the word "tried" as one of those old fashioned words that we don't understand. However, and here is a secret of God, when the Holy Spirit prompts you to know what the word meanings are, your research will clear the matter up, for God's glory. Always for God's glory. 
 
The purifying fire represents the work of the Holy Spirit and this fire is used seven times. I'm pretty sure that this simile refers to the actual refining of silver in David's time. The silver metal actually had to be refined seven times to be pure enough to be used for the purposes in mind and this was used as an example the people could identify with. 
Why not just once?
 
Without going into great detail:
The first fire was used to burn away the combustibles in the silver bearing rock. 
Then the ore container (the clay pot) was sealed from the air, first having some material added, such as charcoal, that would chemically remove the oxygen from the silver oxide. This would result in silver metal flowing to the bottom of the container with the molten rock (the slag) above it. This was repeated a few times so that all the reclaimable silver was removed from the valuable ore. The next problem that had to be solved was to remove the impurities such as copper, arsenic etc. in the silver and because they have different melting temperatures, they had to be carefully removed in fires of different temperatures. Also, because not much coal or coke was available, wood had to be used and this first had to be converted into charcoal to remove its impurities because any smoke resulting from say the wax or oil in the wood that reached the molten metal would cause further impurities in the metal. etc. 
Fluxes, such as beeswax were also discovered, which in certain circumstances formed a film over the surface of the molten metal, also causing impurities to separate and float to the surface. 
Further, a blast of air had to be forced through the burning charcoal with the aid of bellows so that the fire would burn hot enough. 
 
We see here that the refining of silver was a fairly complex process - seven fires probably had to be used. Further, this process was learned over a period of many generations of metalworkers and silversmiths. If the wrong process was used, the resultant metal could have been copper instead of silver. Also, if the fire was not hot enough because of the laziness of the silversmith in using the bellows, impure silver would have resulted. 
Many experiments were tried and the resultant silver was the reward of those tries. So, "tried", although not as clear a word initially, is probably better than "refined". 
Further, the ancient Hebrew word had various meanings and this depended on the context of the sentence wherein the word was placed. 
 
Now, let's look at the entire Psalm to place the passage concerned into context. 
*To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.* 
Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. 
(Psalms 12:1-8 AV)
 
We see here that David is asking for God's help from the wicked (lips) and this in itself puts a slightly different emphasis on the test passage, not so. Perhaps the wicked were twisting the meaning of some of God's words? 
 
From the above, we can see that as the silver is refined, so must the word of God have the dross removed and it must be done by the silversmith (you and I). However, the Holy Spirit can kick-start the process as He wills if God's "attention getters" are in place. If this was not so, why is Satan going to all the trouble of continually bringing out new versions? 
 
To further emphasise the matter, here is how the Holy Spirit also works, for the glory of God. 
These words formed part of today's routine, consecutive daily reading from God's word. I hope that you can perceive the spiritual confirmation of what has been written above. 
*A Psalm of David.*
Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 
(Psalms 25:1-14)
 
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 
(1 John 3:1-10)
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 
(1 John 3:16-24)
 
 
These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 
(1 John 2:26-29)
 
 
*www.hosanna.org.za