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 Yet, O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou art our potter; we are all the work of thy hand.
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:2 "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words."3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.5 Then the word of the LORD came to me:6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? says the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
20 But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me thus?"21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?
9 "Woe to him who strives with his Maker, an earthen vessel with the potter! Does the clay say to him who fashions it, What are you making'? or Your work has no handles'?
16 You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay; that the thing made should say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has 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 In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble.21 If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.
2 The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are reckoned as earthen pots, the work of a potter's hands!
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 Thy hands fashioned and made me; and now thou dost turn about and destroy me.9 Remember that thou hast made me of clay; and wilt thou turn me to dust again?
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are smooth lips with an evil heart.
34 "Wail, you shepherds, and cry, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like choice rams.