20160804 Thursday, August 4 2016
2 Corinthians 04: Living Earthenware

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand ... The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life ... I also am formed out of the clay"

Clay is a natural, fine-grained mineral substance of the Earth. It provides a vital part of soil fertility that all plant and animal life depend upon. It has been used in purified form since ancient times for the production of a great variety and amount of brick, tile, porcelain and "earthenware." These two uses for clay - life from the soil, and vessels - have a direct and profound significance to humanity.

The original Hebrew word that is translated as the "dust" that Adam was created from actually means clay, making God the first "potter," as was well-known by the ancients:

"64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." (Isaiah 64:8 KJV)

"33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 33:5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 33:6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay." (Job 33:4,6 KJV)

So too, the apostle Paul in describing how the original physical creation of man ("Adam" is from the Hebrew word that means the species of man; see also Who Did God Call Adam?) is a container for the Holy Spirit that will provide eternal life in due time: "we have this treasure in earthen vessels."

" 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:1-18 KJV)

Fact Finder: What is the "dust" of the Bible?
See Life From The Dust - Past And Future