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.
8 But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; such that we all [are] the work of thy hands.
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2 Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.3 Then I went down to the potter's house; and, behold, he wrought a work upon [a] wheel.4 And the vessel that he made of clay was broken in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make [it].5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,6 O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay [is] in the potter's hand, so [are] ye in my hand, O house of Israel.
20 Rather, O man, who art thou to reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed [it], Why hast thou made me thus?21 Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour?
9 Woe unto him that strives with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashions it, What doth thou make; thy work [has] no form?
16 Surely your subversion shall be as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He did not make me? or shall the vessel say of him that made it, He did not understand?
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.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay, and likewise some to honour, and some to dishonour.21 If a man, therefore, purges himself from these things, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and profitable for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels that the excellency of the virtue may be of God, and not of us.
2 [Beth] The sons of Zion, precious and esteemed more than pure gold, how are they taken for earthen vessels, the work 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.
8 Thine hands have formed me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.9 Remember now that thou hast formed me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
34 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the dust], ye principals of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like an enticing vessel.