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, LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay and you our potter.
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 making something on the wheels. 4 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 LORD’s word came to me, saying, 6 "House of Israel, can’t I do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Behold, as the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.
20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?" 21 Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honour, and another for dishonour?
9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker—
a clay pot amongst the clay pots of the earth!
Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’
or your work, ‘He has no hands?’
16 You turn things upside down! Should the potter be thought to be like clay, that the thing made should say about 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 large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honour and some for dishonour. 21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
7 But we have this treasure in clay 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 they are 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 altogether,
yet you destroy me.
9 Remember, I beg you, that you have fashioned me as clay.
Will you bring me into dust again?
23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
34 Wail, you shepherds, and cry.
Wallow in dust, you leader of the flock;
for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have fully come,
and you will fall like fine pottery.