4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and out comes material for the silversmith;
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
11 A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Context: It says to remove the "dross" meaning waste, worthless, impurity from silver before the silversmith (God) can use his craftsmanship to mould and build the silver into a fine product of beauty and glory. Only when we ask forgiveness does this process begin. Because lies, deceptions, and sin in our lives will not build holiness and righteousness in our character. We can not be changed unless we want to and ask God to help us. So when we are corrected by God's word, we should be delighted that God wants to speaks to his children to make them stronger and better. His words are like treasured apples of gold that is worthy and precious in the grounds of silver. Although hard at times, but it is to remove the dross in our hearts.
Passage Haggai 2:8-9:
8 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."
Context: Haggai speaks on rebuilding the temple of Judah after the return from Babylon which they were held captive under the Persian king Cyrus for many years. The promise that glory of the new House will be greater than the old. The promise of Jesus coming, the claim of Gods wealth in the universe being used to build the new house; its all his and he will make his present house greater than the glory of the former house where he will grant it peace. This is a promise that God will restore our lives, he will help us along the way when we face trouble just as Judah faced opposition in the 16 years they tried building the temple. God will forgive us when we ask him, he will teach and guide us, he will use us to bring him glory through our life transformation when we come, when we come and seek help from him.
Passage 1 Corinthians 3:12-15:
12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Context: Paul writes to strengthen the church on division, mature levels of spiritual babies and solid food, and how God is the one that makes things grow. It is by Gods foundation laid by Jesus that we stand, but if we were to build by other materials such as gold, silver, etc when the day comes, the fire will reveal if it will with stand the heat. If its pure, if its true, if its solid, any material that passed through fire it will stand firm but those that are impure will be sifted like wheat. Paul encourages us to come to repentance of our pride, of our possession and of self so that God can work in our lives, so that our foundation is solid on the day of judgment.
New International Version (NIV)
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Context: Peter shares about Jesus being the corner stone and believers as the living stone of a building, the church. That believers ought to bring themselves as pleasing sacrifices through Jesus. That is to be made holy and cleanse before God. These called are the chosen people of God who used to walk in darkness but now walk in truth and mercy. Hence, there needs to be sanctification in our lives with the remembrance that Jesus died for us once and for all.
