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 Jehovah, You [are] our Father; we [are] the clay, and You [are] our Former; and we all [are] the work of Your hand.
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 you to hear My words.3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he was working a work on the wheel.4 And the vessel that he made in clay was ruined 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? says the LORD. Behold, As the clay in the potter's hands, [so are] you in My hand, O house of Israel.
20 No, but, O man, who are you who replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him who formed [it], Why have you made me this way?21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor?
9 Woe to him who fights with the One who formed him, a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to its former, What are you making? Or your work, He [has] no hands?
16 O your perversity! Shall the former be counted as the potter's clay; for shall the work say of him who made it, He did not make me? Or shall the thing formed say to him who formed it, He had no understanding?
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 earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.21 Therefore if anyone purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us;
2 The precious sons of Zion are weighed against pure gold; how they are counted as earthen vessels, the work of a potter's hand!
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 Your hands have made me and shaped me, together all around; yet You destroy me.9 Remember, I beseech You, that You have formed me as the clay; and will You bring me into the dust again?
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a broken piece of pottery with silver waste.
34 Howl, shepherds, and cry; and roll, leaders of the flock! For the days of your slaughter and of your scatterings are fulfilled; and you shall fall like a desirable vessel.