Tried in Chains

“…and his soul entered into the iron … until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.” 

These words are from Psalm 105:18-19. In this chapter, the psalmist is recounting God’s faithfulness and, specifically, His faithfulness to His word. 

Verse 8 reads, “He is [earnestly] mindful of His covenant and forever it is imprinted on His heart, the word which He commanded and established to a thousand generations.” And again near the close of the chapter, we read, “For He [earnestly] remembered His holy word and promise to Abraham His servant” (v. 42).

But it’s verses 18-19 that struck me. In listing examples of God’s faithfulness, the psalmist arrives at Joseph. Beginning in verse 16, we read, “Moreover, He [God] called for a famine upon the land [of Egypt]; He cut off every source of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold as a servant. His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron, Until his word [to his cruel brothers] came true, until the word of the Lord tried and tested him” (v.16-19).

“his soul entered into the iron … until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.” 

In the King James Version, this first phrase is rendered simply as, “he was laid in iron.” But the word translated “he” is nephesh, which is also used in Scripture to mean “soul” or the “seat of emotions and passions.” The word translated “iron” is barzel. In addition to literally meaning “iron”, it’s also used in Scripture figuratively to mean “harshness, strength, oppression”. 

When Joseph was imprisoned in Egypt, his trial was not simply a physical one—being in chains—but also an emotional one. A trial of the soul. 

But with a purpose and for a time.

Until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.

The word translated “tried” is tsaraph, and it means “to fuse” as in metal, “i.e. to refine (literally or figuratively)”. 

Psalm 12:6 tells us that the words and promises of God are pure—like silver refined seven times. But not only is God’s word itself pure—it also refines and purifies us, testing us and examining us to see our substance. 

Joseph could have rejected God’s word and promises while in prison—accused of a crime he did not commit. But instead, Joseph served his fellow prisoners (Genesis 40:1-4) and remained willing to be used by God (v.5-8). And Scripture tells us that throughout Joseph’s enslavement and imprisonment, the Lord was with him (Genesis 39:2 and 21).

Whatever our trial, whatever the “irons” we face, not only is God with us, but He is also faithful to His word and His promises. That Word may try us, refine us, and seem to take us to the melting point sometimes, but it is never for our destruction but rather for our deliverance.

Indeed, in Psalm 105:20-21, the story continues: The king released Joseph, let him go free, and made him ruler over his household.  

But this would not have happened unless and until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.