Assaying, in biblical terms, refers to the process of testing or evaluating the quality, purity, or value of something, often in a metaphorical or spiritual sense. The concept is rooted in the practice of refining metals, particularly gold and silver, to determine their purity and worth. This process serves as a powerful metaphor throughout Scripture for God's testing and refining of human hearts and faith.

Biblical References:

1. Testing of Faith and Character:
The Bible frequently uses the imagery of assaying to describe God's examination of human hearts and the testing of faith. In the book of Job, we see a profound example of this testing. Job declares, "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). Here, Job acknowledges that God's testing is akin to the refining process, intended to purify and strengthen his faith.

2. Refining as a Metaphor for Purification:
The prophet Malachi speaks of the coming of the Lord as a refiner and purifier: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver" (Malachi 3:3). This passage illustrates the divine purpose behind assaying, emphasizing the purification and sanctification of God's people.

3. Divine Judgment and Discernment:
Assaying is also associated with divine judgment and discernment. In Jeremiah, God declares, "I have made you a tester of metals among My people, that you may know and test their way" (Jeremiah 6:27). This indicates that God appoints individuals to discern and evaluate the spiritual condition of His people, much like a metallurgist tests metals.

4. Spiritual Growth and Maturity:
The New Testament continues this theme, with the apostle Peter encouraging believers to view trials as a means of spiritual growth: "So that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7). Here, the refining process is likened to the development of a mature and steadfast faith.

Theological Implications:

Assaying, as depicted in the Bible, underscores the importance of spiritual integrity and the transformative power of divine testing. It reflects the belief that God, as the ultimate refiner, seeks to purify His people, removing impurities and strengthening their faith. This process is not merely punitive but is intended to produce a deeper, more genuine relationship with God.

The concept also highlights the necessity of discernment and self-examination in the Christian life. Believers are called to submit to God's refining work, trusting that the trials and tests they endure are part of His sovereign plan to mold them into vessels of honor and righteousness. Through this process, they are assured of emerging as refined and valuable, ready to fulfill their divine purpose.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Assay.

2. (n.) The act or process of testing, esp. of analyzing or examining metals and ores, to determine the proportion of pure metal.

3984. peira -- a trial, an experiment
... trial. From the base of peran (through the idea of piercing); a test, ie Attempt,
experience -- assaying, trial. see GREEK peran. (peiran) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3984.htm - 6k

Hebrews xi. 28-31
... touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land; which
the Egyptians assaying to do, were drowned. [3309] By ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvii hebrews xi 28-31.htm

The Water-Mark of John's Gospel.
... There's no life without the blood. There's no belief without trust. And the word
witness is the same pure-gold sort of nugget, assaying full weight. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the water-mark of johns gospel.htm

And Thou Sentest Thine Hand from Above, and Drewest My Soul Out of ...
... For almost nine years passed, in which I wallowed in the mire of that deep pit,
and the darkness of falsehood, often assaying to rise, but dashed down the more ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xi and thou sentest.htm

The True Gold and Its Testing
... The one is to test them, and the other is to cleanse them, or, to use technical
words, one is for the purpose of assaying them, and the other is for the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the true gold and its.htm

A Desperate Case --How to Meet It
... them up"put them in an iron cage: and so they are beyond the reach of help, going
on in their sin, rejecting the gospel of Christ, while assaying to be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a desperate casehow to meet.htm

His Name --The Counsellor
... world, would have been better employed if they had foretold the end of their own
books, and had not imposed on the public by predictions, assaying to interpret ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namethe counsellor.htm

we have not only so high a pattern, but so excellent a motive
... eternal, uninterrupted unity and fellowship? Should we not be assaying here
how that glorious garment suits us? And truly there is ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter ii i .htm

Confessio Augustana.
... power, who driveth men forward into divers sins, into profane opinions, and into
heinous crimes; as was to be seen in the philosophers, who, assaying to live ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/confessio augustana.htm

Assaying (1 Occurrence)
...Assaying (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea
as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (KJV ASV). ...
/a/assaying.htm - 6k

Drowned (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV NIV). Hebrews 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea
as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. ...
/d/drowned.htm - 9k

Assayer (1 Occurrence)

/a/assayer.htm - 6k

Ass-colts (2 Occurrences)
Ass-colts. Assaying, Ass-colts. Assemblage . Multi-Version Concordance
Ass-colts (2 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Assaying, Ass-colts. Assemblage . Reference
/a/ass-colts.htm - 7k

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