Thoroughly Tested

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Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
Psalm 119:140 (NIV)

The Hebraic word for test is tsaraph (Strong # 6884). It means to fuse metals, i.e. refine literally or figuratively; cast, melt, purify, purge away, try.

Refining metal was an ancient skill that was well developed long before the time of Abraham. The first metalsmith mentioned in the Bible was Tubal-Cain, a descendant of Cain (Gen. 4:22). He was an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. Bronze was formed by mixing copper with tin, and brass was formed by mixing copper with zinc. Iron and other metals such as gold and silver were often hammered or forged into desired shapes by skilled metalsmiths. By the time of Abraham, about 2000 BC, bellows were used to increase the heat of their furnaces, which in turn melted and separated the pure metals from the dross. The refining process there and then was able to produce high quality of gold, silver and other precious metals.

Ancient metalsmiths were skilled in making ornamental objects of precious metals. But Israel was relatively ignorant of metalworking skills until the time of David, about 1000 BC. Recognizing the importance of metalworking, David conquered the surrounding nations and their precious metal mines (2 Sam. 8:11-14). His son, Solomon brought Israel into a greater era of metalworking by importing experts from other more advanced nations (1 Kings 7:13-14).

The Lord describes the process of testing and purifying His people as the melting and refining process in which pure metals are being separated from the impurities in the ores. These tests, instituted by God, are to determine the purity of His holy people and the quality of their godly character. In fact, the Greek word for church is ekklesia – the called out ones.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Pet 2:9-10

This calling of the Church is the same original calling God gave to Israel in Exodus 19:5-6:

'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.

And Israel failed badly in the test given by God, and their result slips were disclosed to the prophet Jeremiah:

"Jeremiah, I have made you an assayer of metals that you may test this My people and determine their value. Listen to what they are saying and watch what they are doing. Are they not the worst of rebels, full of evil talk against the Lord? They are insolent as brass, hard and cruel as iron. The bellows blow fiercely; the refining fire grows hotter, but it can never cleanse them, for there is no pureness in them to bring out. Why continue the process longer? All is dross. No matter how hot the fire, they continue in their wicked ways. I must label them 'Impure, Rejected Silver,' and I have discarded them." Jer 6:27-30 (TLB)

The process of melting and refining are inseparable. As the metal melts, it is being refined. The heat purifies the metal; the dross becomes separated from the purified metal. Depending on their relative densities, the lighter one will float, and the heavier one will sink. If there is no pure metal, all will be just dross – waste metal.

In the story of Gideon, 10,000 were being tested and only 300 were qualified and chosen to fight against the Midianites.

But the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' the same shall not go." Judges 7:4

By what standard and criteria does God test us? In Psalm 105:19, Joseph was tested by the Word of the LORD. The very promise God gave to him was the very test he went through. To believe or not believe God becomes the constant battleground for the soul of man. The Word of God is thoroughly tested and certified Truth. Abraham was tested the same manner.

Let’s take a look at some scriptures to see how God tested His people and also how His people tested Him:

When God put us to the test, His Word is being tested. He goes to the test with us.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:1-2

When we pass the test, He rejoices; and when we fail, He grieves. No parents like to see their children fail in school tests. So does our Heavenly Father. He desires to see our result slips marked with excellence and distinctions! The 3 Hebrew children passed the test with flying colours in the fiery furnace at Babylon (Daniel 3).

The tests of God are true blessings in disguise - to purify us and transform us into His likeness, day by day, from glory to glory. Like our school tests, no pass no promotion. Until we pass the present tests, we will not be promoted to do the next level. Jesus passed all the tests at the Mount of Temptation before He began His ministry. It is a journey we must travel on the Way to His Holiness.

Christlikeness is a process we must go through thoroughly, anything less will be an incomplete product. And the Holy Fire of God is burning bright!

Source:
Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary