Day 2 – Refined by Fire 

Theme 

“God purifies His people like gold.” 

Scripture Readings 

Malachi 3:2–3 – “For He will be like a refiner’s fire… He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.” 

1 Peter 1:7 – “…so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold… may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 

Isaiah 48:10 – “I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” 

Reflection 

The second candle of Hanukkah builds on the first, adding warmth and depth. It reminds us that light grows through process; not instant perfection. In the Hebrew year 5786, the second letter emphasis is Shin (ש), symbolizing fire and refining. 

Just as gold is purified in fire, so are we. The refining process is not punishment, it’s preparation. God removes what dims our light so we can shine with clarity and strength. Hanukkah’s miracle wasn’t just about light; it was about purified ...