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 Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and all of us are the work of your hand.
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, 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, look, he was making a work on the wheels.4 And when the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.5 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,6 O house of Israel, can't I do with you{} as this potter? says Yahweh. Look, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are you{} in my hand, O house of Israel.
20 On the contrary, O man, who are you that reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, Why did you make me thus?21 Or has not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel to honor, and another to shame?
9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker! A potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Will the clay say to him who fashions it, What do you make? Or your work, He has no hands?
16 You{} turn things upside down! Will the potter be esteemed as clay; that the thing made should say of him who made it, He didn't 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 Now 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 shame.21 If a man therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel to honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared to every good work.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, 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 Your hands have framed me and fashioned me, Together round about; yet you destroy me.9 Remember, I urge you, that you have fashioned me as clay; And will you bring me into dust again?
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
34 Wail, you{} shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], you{} principal of the flock; for the days of your{} slaughter and of your{} dispersions have fully come, and you{} will fall like a goodly vessel.