Vaso
A metáfora do vaso é uma das mais belas da Bíblia. Assim como o oleiro molda o barro, Deus nos forma segundo seus propósitos, fazendo de nós vasos úteis para sua glória.
Nas mãos do oleiro
Deus é o Oleiro e nós somos o barro. Ele tem autoridade e sabedoria para nos moldar conforme sua vontade perfeita, e não devemos questionar sua obra.
Be not very wroth with us, and remember not our sins for ever; but now look on us, for we are all thy people.
The word that came from the Lord to Jeremias, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there thou shalt hear my words. So I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he was making a vessel on the stones. And the vessel which he was making with his hands fell: so he made it again another vessel, as it seemed good to him to make it. And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
Shall I not be able, O house of Israel, to do to you as this potter? behold, as the clay of the potter are ye in my hands.
What excellent thing have I prepared as clay of the potter? Will the ploughman plough the earth all day? shall the clay say to the potter, What art thou doing that thou dost not work, nor hast hands? shall the thing formed answer him that formed it?
Shall ye not be counted as clay of the potter? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Thou didst not form me? or the work to the maker, Thou hast not made me wisely?
Vasos para honra
O cristão é chamado a ser um vaso de honra, purificado e preparado para toda boa obra. Nosso valor está em quem nos formou e no que carregamos.
Beth. The precious sons of Zion, who were equalled in value with gold, how are they counted as earthen vessels, the works of the hands of the potter!
Moldados pela graça
Mesmo quando nos sentimos frágeis e imperfeitos, o poder de Deus se aperfeiçoa em nossa fraqueza. Ele nos restaura e nos renova continuamente.
Thy hands have formed me and made me; afterwards thou didst change thy mind, and smite me. Remember that thou hast made me as clay, and thou dost turn me again to earth.
Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.