But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us (NIV)
2 Corinthians 4:7
What an amazing verse. This truly is a Gem. This kind of verse is the reason I began Bible Gems. It is truly a shining sparkling precious gem stone in the midst of a sea of gems. The Jewish Rabbis say the Scripture (well they actually say the Torah) is like a gem with all of the facets of gem stones. The preciousness of a precious stone is found in the clarity with which it reflects the light. The more angles from which we look at it the more we see. Especially when the stone is cut by a master craftsman to reveal the beauty within. The rabbis say a gem / verse of the Torah has 70 facets. Seventy different angles from which to look at it. Each one taking us deeper than before. No wonder we can look at a verse of Scripture one time we study it and get X out of it. The next time we look at it we see Y. That is what it is like, isn’t it? Does that happen for you? If not, you are not studying the Bible thoroughly enough.
You know what I am going to say, don’t you? You can feel me building up to it. Those of you who have been with Bible Gems long enough know what’s coming.
This is an amazing verse. It would be one of my favourite verses in the Bible for a number of reasons. There is significant depth in the verse. It is remarkable how it connects to the passage. It is remarkable how it continues the theme and it is remarkable for what it is saying. You can tell we are going to camp here for a few days. Sorry we have left Gaius’s house for the moment. Did you forget we were staying there? (see Gem 303) We are on the trail now. Moving through the Judean wilderness. The pillar of cloud has stopped here, so break out the bed rolls, the billy cans, the stuff you brought with you and prepare to stay a while.
Now you go to it and do all that you can with this one verse. Apply all the things you know to do from following Bible Gems. Let’s see what you can come up with. (See you were waiting for that Gemmers, weren’t you? At least I didn’t disappoint you.)
Ok, I will leave you to it. I have to take a journey to Kadesh Barnea in Paran. See you back here tomorrow under the broom tree for breakfast. Fried eggs and bacon. Waffles and maple syrup. Vegemite on toast. Have what you like – as long as you brought it in your pack.
Your life is a piece of clay, don’t let anyone else mould it for you.
Ian Vail
” . . . Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ . . .
Isaiah 45:9