Bricks and Refining

Fireplace bricks protects the house and radiate heat into the room. Why is brick effective?

Bricks were made from suitable earth, formed into the proper shape and sun-dried. Then the bricks were fired using either wood or charcoal. If 100% clay was used, it would crack in the intense heat. A sandy mixture would fall apart. The proper mixture of earth, clay and sand was critical for the strength of the brick. Before testing, the material had to be thoroughly mixed. In the old days this was accomplished by smashing the mixture with their feet. The only way they knew the brick had the right mixture, was if it passed the fire test.

In the firing process, bricks were laid side by side leaving a space wide enough for charcoal. Mud was smeared over the stack, and vent holes were place on the leeward side. The charcoal was lit and it burned till all was consumed. After a number of days, it would be cool enough to dismantle and remove the finished bricks. The process of burning took a week or more.

The firing process is a good analogy for Christians. We don't learn by doing something we know, we learn by trying to do something we don't know. Just as bricks become effective after they have been treated with fire, so Christians are effective when they are tested with harder and harder tests. We don't know how we have grown in the Spirit until God allows the tests to come. Our reliance on Jesus allows us to overcome the tests set before us. Our growth is not so much knowledge but readiness to turn to God and reliance on Him in the trial.

Just as the bricks need the right mixture of clay, earth and sand so Christians need the right mix of the Bible, prayer and the action for faith. Reading and studying the Scriptures in prayer gives us faith to rely on God in the hard times. God shows us the meaning of the Scripture when we are close to Him. Look to God to lead you in your daily life. Being close to God will enable you to flow according to His will. Let Him direct you to where you should go.

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like refiners fire and like fullers' soap. And He will sit as smelter and purifier of sliver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like good and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.” Malachi 3:2,3 NASB