Dross

Eze 22:18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.

Jerusalem was the city of silver, where the LORD's likeness was to be seen in his people. He is the master refiner and purifier of his people.

dross... moving back or away, being impure, mixed ...

1. Waste or impure matter: discarded the dross after recycling the wood pulp.

2. The scum that forms on the surface of molten metal as a result of oxidation.

3. Worthless, commonplace, or trivial matter

all are as brass...copper alloy, lust, harlotry, judgement of sin. 80% copper, 20% tin

2Ch_1:6 And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

and tin...alloy, dross, impure part of the silver. Used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion. Bronze,or brass is an alloy of tin and copper. Pewter is about 90% tin with copper, antimony and lead.

The Tin man in the Wizard of Oz, lamented that he had no heart. He is not alone, many have hearts hardened by sin that are not useful to the LORD.

Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

and lead...melts at lower temperature, heavy, dense

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

silver...money, refiners image seen in it. Also used for religious ornaments and vessels.

Pro 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

2Ti 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 

2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 

Our goal is to be refined in Christ, coming forth from the fire as pure gold or silver; to be the best vessel we can be for the Master's use. Jerusalem was about to be purged of it's people because of their sins. Jesus has purged our sins on the cross. We are to believe in him and to be useful to God as his dear children, reflecting his glorious image in an evil world. Take your dross to the cross.