When I first think of an earthen vessel, a clay pot or vase usually comes to my mind. I’ve not made a pottery item but have purchased one and painted it and then had to wait for the shop owner to fire the item to seal and set it. I have watched a person working with clay and noticed that as long as the clay was kept moist, they could mold and shape the clay anyway they wanted. But for it to be able to hold its shape, the newly formed clay item had to be fired in a really hot furnace to harden it.

According the Webster’s Dictionary the word clay means an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired; also refers to the mortal human body. This plastic reference gives a meaning of being pliable. The word plastic here holds the understanding that the material, or the clay, is not only pliable, but capable of being molded or processed so it can be formed into a rigid object. The idea of something being rigid is that it doesn’t bend easily but is strong its stance. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are to be strong in our stance of our faith in Him.

Second Corinthians 4:6-8 is the basis for this week’s post, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

What we learn from this one Scripture is that we are light. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14 that we are the light of the world. Light always dispels darkness. (Darkness always refers to sin, wickedness, and evilness.) We have been called out of darkness (a sinful life) into His glorious and marvelous light (Salvation in Jesus). (1 Peter 2:9) God has chosen us, earthen vessels, preach the knowledge of the glory of God to the world; teaching them how to live according to His Word. We should purpose to walk worthy of His calling that He has called us to. (Ephesians 4:1) We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, and we can be confident that He is well able to complete it until the day of Jesus. (Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6)

Let’s look at some characteristics of clay, and then how it resembles us humans. First, clay is made from the earth. We are made from the dust of the earth. (Genesis 2:7) Secondly, the potter decides what kind of vessel the clay should be. Our Potter, Jesus, is the one who decides what He wants us to be. Thirdly, as mentioned above, when the clay is kept moist, it is pliable and can be molded into whatever shape the potter desires, and that clay doesn’t have any choice in the matter. However, it is only when the children of God choose to keep themselves “watered” with the Word of God that we remain pliable so He can change us into the image of Jesus; from glory to glory. Even though God wants to change us into His image, He will not force His will over our will. Fourthly, the clay item only becomes a solid form, a vessel, or a container, for any good use when the potter fires it in a very hot furnace so it will hold its shape. Likewise, the rough times of trials, tests, and temptations that we experience are like the hot furnace for the clay because it’s during those times we learn to hold onto our likeness of Jesus with a solid firm foundation of the Word of God in our hearts and make quality decisions live by them; and thereby our faith and trust is strengthen in God.

I found it interesting to find in Jeremiah 18:6 where God is talking to the house of Israel (which now also refers to believers today), “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand.” Isaiah 64:8 says, “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and You, our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” Turn this into a confession and declare that God is your Father, your Potter, and your Lord; and that you are the clay in His hands, molding you into His image.  We Christians are the earthen vessels that house the Holy Spirit, for we are told in First Corinthians 3:16 that we are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in us.  This is an awesome revelation to understand: that God is not only with us at all times but that He lives in us.

I do pray that this teaching is an encouragement to you as you seek God’s purpose for your life and to endeavor to walk by faith until He completes His calling in you.