Paul
the apostle asked the people in Rome,
“who
are you that reply against God? Shall the thing formed say to him
that formed it, Why have you made me thus?,
and
in
chapter nine and verse twenty-one of Romans,
Paul asked his readers, “has
not the potter power over the clay”
where
we read:
Has
not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one
vessel unto honor,
and
another unto dishonor?
The
verse begins, “Has
not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one
vessel unto honor,”
Paul
began with the word, “has
not the potter”
which means “doesn't the sculptor of pottery” “power”
or
“have the liberty, rule and authority of doing as he pleases”
“over
the clay” which
means “with the mud or wet clay”, “of
the same lump”
or “with the selfsame mass or substance mixed with water and
kneaded” “to
make”
or “to form, fashion and prepare” “one
vessel”
which means “a certain implement or utensil” “unto
honor”
or “toward deference or reverence”. Paul asked whether the person
who sculpts “pottery” is able to “form or fashion” some of
his pieces with high regard and “reverence”.
The
verse goes on to say, “and
another unto dishonor?”
Paul
continued with the words, “and
another”
which means “and an other piece of pottery” “unto
dishonor”
which means “toward ignominy and disgrace”. Paul shared how the
“potter”
is able to make other pieces “disgraceful”.
When
we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how the “potter”
is the one who decides the use of the pieces he creates. For
example, a potter could make an expensive bowl or vase with his “lump
of clay” or he could fashion a “sink or toilet”. The
expensive piece might be kept in a lighted cabinet and valued greatly
as a piece of art, however, the other piece might by used roughly and
with great disregard. Paul demonstrates how God is the one who
decides the different uses for His creation, and no one is able to
“dispute” or “contradict” Him successfully. God sent His Son
Jesus Christ to die for the sins of every person regardless of their
“honorable” or “dishonorable” status in life. In other words,
God “values” everyone, and the way He made them was by His own
regard. Those who are wise shall realize how valuable they are no
matter what their status may be, and this value was demonstrated by
the price God paid with His Son's own blood on the cross of Calvary.
Next
time we
see Paul tells his readers how God,
“endured
with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
