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Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 22 - Verse 20

22:20
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.

Meaning

In this verse, the comparison is made between the process of refining metals in a furnace and God's judgment on His people. Just as metals such as silver, brass, iron, lead, and tin are gathered together in a furnace to be melted down and purified, so too will God gather His people in His anger and fury for judgment. The intense heat of the furnace represents the severity of God's wrath and the process of melting symbolizes the refining and purifying work that God will do in the lives of His people. This verse serves as a warning to those who have strayed from God's will and a call to repentance before facing His righteous judgment. It also highlights the transformative power of God's discipline, which ultimately leads to restoration and renewal for those who turn back to Him.

Theological Overview

In this verse, the imagery of a furnace is used to describe God's judgment and purification of his people. Just as different metals are gathered in a furnace and melted down to remove impurities, God will gather his people in his anger and fury to refine them. The process of melting down metals requires intense heat and represents the purging of sin and rebellion in the hearts of the people. This verse emphasizes God's righteous anger towards sin and his desire for his people to be purified and refined through trials and hardships. The imagery of the furnace also underscores the transformative nature of God's judgment, where his people are put through fire to bring out their true character and faith. Ultimately, this verse speaks to the redemptive and transformative power of God's judgment, as he works in the lives of his people to refine them and draw them closer to himself.

American Standard Version

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 wrath, and I will lay you there, and melt you.
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