Random Word – Heat the Furnace

Random Word Heat the Furnace

Today’s random word is אזה ‘azah’ which means to heat.  This word is used in only one portion of Scripture referring to the heating of the furnace by Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego because of their refusal to bow down to his idol (Daniel 3:19, 22).
It was through this trial that Jesus was revealed in their lives.
Dan 3:25  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

This is a theme that runs throughout Scripture.  Messiah, who Himself suffered for our sakes (1 Peter 3:18), is revealed in our lives through our sufferings and trials (2 Corinthians 1:5; 4:10-11; Philippians 3:10-11).  YHWH revealed Himself through the redemption of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 9:16), but first Israel had to go through the fiery furnace (Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51).
Scripture speaks of the Word of YHWH being purified through the fiery furnace (Psalm 12:6).  This purifying of the Word happens within believers as well (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Peter 5:10; Matthew 13:21; Zechariah 13:9; Psalm 66:10).
Going through the furnace of affliction is needed that we might be obedient to Him (Jeremiah 11:4; Hebrews 5:6-10; Psalm 119:71).   Many times when God’s grace is upon our lives we will suffer affliction (1 Peter 2:19-21).  As He is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), the closer we draw to Him the more intense the fire will become as our sinful nature is destroyed by His holiness (Hebrews 12:6-10) and we are changed into His glory (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:13; Hebrews 2:10-18; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10; Philippians 3:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:11-13).

1Pe 4:1  Therefore, Christ having suffered for us in the flesh, also you arm yourselves with the same thought, because he having suffered in the flesh has been made to rest from sin,
1Pe 4:2  for him no longer to live in the lusts of men, but to live the remaining time in the flesh in the will of God.

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