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My 8 year old grandson was so excited to show me, at a recent visit, his latest find while fossil hunting Sheol Creek south of Centerville. This creek runs through their farm and he and his sister love to fossil hunt while their dad or grandfather is doing field work. They have quite a collection and each item has a special story: day, location, who found it, etc. On this day, my grandson wanted to show me a shiny rock. He was positive it was gold; it looked like gold so it must be gold! My response was, “Yes, it is beautiful, but there is a good chance that it is iron pyrite or fool’s gold.” I know, I burst his bubble, but no need to continue the lie.
Let’s look at and compare the two. In the sun or under shallow, flowing water they look very similar. But when we take a closer look, gold (Au) glistens and iron pyrite (FeS2) shines, but superficially resembles gold. Gold has soft edges, is malleable and can be shaped without breaking or cracking. Iron pyrite creates sparks when struck. In the Greek, pyrite means “of fire or in fire.” Gold is a heavy precious metal (19.30g/cm3), resists corrosion and is non-toxic, non-irritating if ingested and is a good conductor of electricity and heat. Iron pyrite is the most common sulfide mineral and is very light in comparison to gold (4.8-5g/cm3). It tarnishes dark and iridescent and is paramagnetic. Today the value of gold per ounce is $1137.00 and iron pyrite per ounce is $1.00.
Let us now compare gold, Jesus, and iron pyrite, satan. If there is a veil over our eyes because of sin, the two look very similar. But we must take a closer look by reading the Bible, which is the living Word of God. Isaiah 14:12 refers to satan as “sun of the morning” or “day star.” The false light, just as fool’s gold shines but does not glisten. Revelation 22:16 tells us that Jesus is “the Bright and Morning Star.” John 8:12 says that “Jesus is the Light of the World,” the precious Son of God.
Father, Thank You for Your truth, the Word of God. Help us to be aware through Your Word, that satan is out to steal, kill and destroy the light of Jesus, and to recognize the “day star” as a false light, and only accept the true “Light of the World.” Thank You for my precious grandchildren and the lessons they teach me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.