Sabbath: Seeing the Goldsmith’s Face
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Matthew 5:16, 1 Corinthians 4:9, Ephesians 3:10, Job 23:1-10, Matthew 25:1-12, Daniel 12:1-10, Ephesians 4:11-16.
Memory Text: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV).
Amy Carmichael took a group of children to a traditional goldsmith in India. In the middle of a charcoal fire was a curved roof tile. On the tile was a mixture of salt, tamarind fruit, and brick dust. Embedded in this mixture was gold. As the fire devoured the mixture, the gold became purer. The goldsmith took the gold out with tongs and, if it were not pure enough, he replaced it in the fire with a new mixture. But each time the gold was replaced, the heat was increased. The group asked, “How do you know when the gold is purified?” He replied, “When I can see my face in it.” — Amy Carmichael, Learning of God (Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1989), p. 50.
God is seeking to purify us, to refine us like gold, to transform us into His image. That’s an astonishing goal, and it seems even more astonishing that a Christlike character is developed in us only as we pass through life’s crucibles.
The Week at a Glance: What role does suffering have in the purifying process? How do we understand all this in the context of the great controversy?
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 23.
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You would have to be completely out of touch with the news if you have not noticed the excitement in the scientific community about the James Webb Telescope. The deep space images that have been published in the last couple of weeks have been outstanding in their clarity and detail. Many of us have appreciated the images produced by the Hubble Telescope over the last 30 years, but the image quality of the James Webb Telescope has just raised the bar significantly. Not only are the images so much clearer, but the amount of information collected has also multiplied enormously.
The success of the James Webb Telescope is based largely on the huge 18-segment reflector. It is made of gold-coated beryllium. We usually think of gold as the shiny stuff that we make jewellery out of, but gold is a seriously important industrial strength reflector. If you want to see the universe in all its glory you need gold. It is the "go-to" metal when you want perfect reflection.
Jesus wants us to be perfect reflectors of him. The gold metaphor makes sense when we think of gold, not just as the metal to make pretty things, but as a figure of speech for industrial strength Christian reflection.
Just something to reflect on as we study this week's lesson.
In addition to the role of suffering in fostering a purifying (of character), this week's lesson also looks at the importance of Christlike character (re)development.
Stepping back to consider the 'big picture' behind the issues of the Great Controversy (ie, two opposing portrayals of reality, one of which is truth, the other error), what is the basis of the importance of Christlike character development? For example, is it merely the standard that God, as Soverign, has set because He can? Or does it arise from what is inherently necessary for the reality of the abundant/inherent life that God wants us to share in? Or is there some other reason?
Let's see what we find, and why, as we explore this week's lesson...
Your Question asked:
what is the basis of the importance of Christlike character development?
For example, is it merely the standard that God, as Sovereign, has set because He can?
Or does it arise from what is inherently necessary for the reality of the abundant/inherent life that God wants us to share in? Or is there some other reason?
God has made many kingdoms/environments and maybe many other creations that we don't know off.
e.g. we know about animals, sea
creatures, flying creatures above us, and Angels in their habitat.
A scripture comes to mind for God's desire to have a family and become a Father as follows:
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the SON HIS LOVE.
Colossians 1:13
Sometimes I think Angels are like SPOKE from Star Trek, logical and unemotional, whereas a Family is infused with loving care and sharing and pure unity, oneness !
God has desired this side of himself for mankind, as a loving Father.
Romans 8:
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh,
13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.
15 You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Abba, Father! ”
16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children
17and if children, also heirs — heirs of God and coheirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
From Groans to Glory.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us!
19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to futility — not willingly, but because of him who subjected it — in the hope
21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.
23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits — we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?
25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.
Shalom brother in Christ
🙏
This message feels like an important End- of-Time message to me also. Here’s why.
Luke 21:34-35: "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.”
Jesus includes getting bogged down with anxieties and cares of this life in with drunkenness and carousing as things to watch out for to avoid as we prepare for the more heated battles towards the end of the Great Controversy! How is filling our minds with worries comparable to drunkenness and carousing?
Revelation 3:15-21 describes it this way: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ’I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’-- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (NKJ).
So how do we buy gold tried in the fire?
Back to Luke 21, verse 36: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Luke 22:46 says, “Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."
Pray. Always.
1 Thess. 5:5-6 says, “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
Watch Jesus.
The apostle Peter described faith (the substance of things not seen), strengthened in and purified by the test of fire, as much more valuable than gold (1 Peter 1:7).
How do we watch the Goldsmith’s Face?
Was it not for #every time period# since the fall of Adam and Eve to be judged of what was in their hearts and minds?
Aka Godly Motivation or Satan's?
Hebrews 9:
25 He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another.
26 Otherwise, #he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world.#
But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment —
Shalom sister in Christ !
🙏
Your question: How do we watch the Goldsmith’s Face?
Is it not that the Goldsmith aka Jesus is looking in OUR hearts and minds, in the fire of our life, for the potential of our sonship / daughter in his image of divine attributes and godly character.
Shalom in Christ 🙏
Thank you for sharing, brother Larry.
Here’s a little story from this past week. Someone I know suggested I should smoke cannabis with him because in his eyes that would make me a more easy-going relaxed fun person. I calmly answered that I didn’t want to become addicted or do anything to dull my mind. He escalated very quickly in anger and accusations, beginning by labeling me very judgmental and expanding it to saying that I was white supremacist because brown tribal people smoke, and ranging it out to that I was arrogant because I believe Jesus is the only God and not Shiva or other named to gods. I walked away because that kind of out-of-control raging can’t be in my home, but it triggered him more saying that I never listen. So I sat and looked into his face for about three hours while he raged and screamed at me. (God is maturing my faith, praise Him! Even a year ago, I would have been trying to defend myself or to defend God, but I wasn’t this time. In addition to prayers for this person and myself and all in the room, I was also praying gratitude that I was having some kind of peace in the storm even though my heart was beating fast and I felt stressed.)
Afterwards, I needed strengthening. I went for a walk. For an hour I listened to the gospel while I walked. I started at Matthew chapter 5. What a beautiful promise is Matthew 5:11-16! Jesus’s words as I listened healed my heart and restored inner peace.
David prayed that God “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Ps. 17:8) A reference says “The phrase ‘apple of my eye’ comes from a Hebrew expression that literally means 'little man of the eye.' It refers to the tiny reflection of yourself that you can see in other people's pupils. To be the apple of someone's eye clearly means that you are being focused on and watched closely by that person.”
When I look right at Jesus, listening to his words and reflecting on his actions, I see him looking at me. I receive promises that are just right for me in that moment. Jesus quoted Scripture in temptation, and I don’t have everything memorized so I just play it on my phone. I think also of Matthew 11:28-30… Learning of Jesus right in the middle of a trial does bring rest.
Consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. (Leading up to that event, the Babylonian wise men were jealous of Daniel and his friends because of the attention they got. And interestingly to my situation, they refused to cloud their bodies with the king’s food and drink.) They spoke boldly of their faith (Daniel 3:17-18). And when they were in the furnace that was so hot that it killed the guards, the pagan king saw Jesus walking with them in the fire! (Daniel 3:24-25)
These faith-filled men were looking at “the substance of things not seen” with physical eyes, and because of their faith Jesus WAS seen by physical eyes! When we’re in the fire, we can see our reflection in Jesus’s eyes, ie His tremendous focused love for us (so we don’t get burned or even have the smell of smoke -Dan 3:27), and others can see His reflection in ours! Jesus becomes real to others when we walk with Him in the fiery trials. Just Wow! 🙏✝️
Question: Is what the lesson states true - "that a Christlike character is developed in us only as we pass through life's crucibles?" If so, does that mean if we are going through a relatively good period (as most of us do from time to time), that we are not becoming more like Christ? Or that those suffering most need the most refining?
I don't really think the answers to these questions are yes, just because I have never seen suffering evenly distributed. Some do suffer more than others, though I guess it can be hard to compare. We all do suffer as part of a sinful world, but I doubt we can ever say everyone suffers equally. If suffering was the only thing that could cause character development, wouldn't God make sure we all suffered equally?
I realize that we can't really fully answer these questions, but they leave me troubled. I really wish this quarter was over. Every day it knocks me down and leaves me reeling.
Your observation is a valid one, Christina. I remember one person praying earnestly for persecution so she could be sure she was on the right track. And I remember thinking that somehow she had got the wrong message. Some of us have a relatively pleasant time and if we think about it handling the good times has its own challenges. Just as we are admonished to bear one another's burdens, we are also encouraged to share our blessings with others.
One aspect of this series of lessons that I like to consider is what can I do to support and encourage those faced with life's crucibles. Are we like Job's friends, full of words and philosophies about their predicament, or are we genuinely helpful and supportive.
Maurice, I agree wholeheartedly with what you said to Christina. I have found when life for me seems to be going well, I have to fight the hardest to continue to rely on God. My temptation is that I'm doing good by myself. I become self-reliant. There is something to be learned and gained in your Christian walk regardless of where or how life is progressing at the moment. Peter thought he was all that and refused to accept that he would deny his Lord until he did exactly that.
I often ask myself, what can I learn from or more during any phase of life I am in.
Hi sister Christina.
God knows what each individual can bear and with his Spirit guiding them, can succeed in their integrity.
First century Christians were burned on stakes to light up Nero's drive way ! Image that!
It had been mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15, that in the resurrection of transformed immortal bodies, there are different degrees of glory as compared to different degrees of light from the sun, moon and stars in the context for comparison.
Each will be given a body that God chooses, all will be in unity and harmony with God forever!
The scripture says that if our faith was strong enough we could move mountains. I believe that many times there may be something in our lives that we cannot see so because God loves each one of us so much that he puts us thru crucibles to the extent that is needed to purify us. So keep your faith regardless and continue to trust Jesus regardless of the fire being hot or cold