Homiletic Monthly Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried… The wisdom, sovereignty, and power of the Supreme Ruler are nowhere more clearly and impressively set forth and illustrated than in the fundamental methods which mark His government of mankind. What these methods or principles are it is not difficult to determine from Scripture and providence. And the choice of methods and the disclosure of them are made for the purposes of instruction and moral discipline. Among these methods are the following — 1. Agencies wholly inadequate, seemingly, to accomplish purposes so grand and infinite. 2. Instruments, "weak" and "foolish" in themselves, chosen to "confound things that are mighty" —the wisdom, philosophy, pride, and wealth of the world. 3. God's method is one to compel faith — the whole structure of the Supernatural rests on faith. (1) It is true in regard to the Scriptures. From Genesis to Revelation we "see as through a glass, darkly." God gives light enough to discern duty, but not to satisfy a thousand anxieties. We must believe, trust, patiently wait, or perish. (2) Providence is a book full of painful mysteries. We cannot break the seals and interpret. Darkness that may be felt encompasses our path here. We are shut up to faith. 4. The Divine method is the method of severe discipline. By the way of the Cross to the Crown! Fellowship in suffering the condition of joint heirship in glory. "Whom He loves He rebukes and chastens." 5. God's method is one of slow growth and development. Light, grace, prosperity, favour, discipline, as we can bear it. 6. God's method of dealing has respect to that system of rewards and punishments which forms a part of His moral government. Sin and misery, virtue and happiness, obedience and reward, are so conjoined in this life that no man can mistake the will of God, or reasonably doubt that the law of eternal rectitude is bound ultimately to prevail. 7. Occasionally by "terrible acts of righteousness" God reveals Himself to the nations, "that all the earth may know there is a God in Israel." (Homiletic Monthly.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. |
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