But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Do you remember the definitions I gave you in the last Gem, especially those concerning clay?
Strong’ s Definition – ὀστράκινος [ostrakinos] a tile, that is, terra cotta); earthen ware, that is, clayey; by implication frail: – of earth, earthen.
Thayer Definition: 1) earthen, clay 1a) with the added suggestion of frailty
Ostraca is a very special term
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (ISBE)
Ostraca
os´tra-ka: The word ostracon (“potsherd,” Hebrew ḥeres) occurs in Job 2:8 Earthen vessels were in universal use in antiquity (they are twice mentioned in the New Testament: (2 Cor 4:7; 2 Tim 2:20), and the broken fragments of them, which could be picked up almost anywhere, were made to serve various purposes. Upon the smoothest of these pieces of unglazed pottery the poorest might write in ink his memoranda, receipts, letters or texts.
1. Hebrew Ostraca: A fortunate discovery at Samaria (1910), made among the ruins of Ahab’s palace, has brought to light 75 Hebrew ostraca inscribed with ink, in the Phoenician character, with accounts and memoranda relating to private matters and dating probably from the time of Ahab. Their historical contribution, aside from the mention of many names of persons and places, is slender, but for ancient Hebrew writing and to a less extent for Hebrew words and forms they are of value, while the fact that in them we possess documents actually penned in Israel in the 9th century BC gives them extraordinary interest. The nature of ostraca tends to their preservation under conditions which would quickly destroy parchment, skin or papyrus, and this discovery in Palestine encourages the hope of further and more significant finds.
2. Greek Ostraca: Greek ostraca in large quantities have been found in Egypt, preserving documents of many kinds, chiefly tax receipts. The texts of some 2,000 of these have been published, and serve to illustrate in unexpected ways the everyday Greek speech of the common people of Egypt. Like the papyri, they help to throw light on New Testament syntax and lexicography, as well as on ancient life in general.
3. New Testament Ostraca: It is said that Cleanthes the Stoic, being too poor to buy papyrus, used to write on ostraca, but no remains of classical literature have been found on the ostraca thus far discovered. In some instances, however, Christian literary texts are preserved upon ostraca. Some years ago Bouriant bought in Upper Egypt 20 ostraca, probably of the 7th century, inscribed with the Greek text of parts of the Gospels. The ostraca are of different sizes, and preserve among others one long continuous passage (Lk 22:40-71), which runs over 10 of the pieces.
Commentaries:
Barnes: This refers to the apostles and ministers of religion, as weak and feeble; as having bodies decaying and dying; as fragile, and liable to various accidents, and as being altogether unworthy to hold a treasure so invaluable; as if valuable diamonds and gold were placed in vessels of earth of coarse composition, easily broken, and liable to decay. . . . The word rendered “earthen,” (ὀστρακίνοις ostrakinois) means that which is made of shells (from ὄστρακινον ostrakinon), and then burnt clay, probably because vessels were at first made of burnt shells. It is suited well to represent the human body; frail, fragile, and easily reduced again to dust.
Clarke: The original, οστρακινοις σκευεσιν, signifies, more literally, vessels made of shells, which are very brittle; and as the shell is the outward part of a fish. Dr. Hammond observes, it is fitting to resemble our bodies in which our souls dwell. There are two kinds of ostraca – an earthen vessel which has been burnt in the kiln and earthen vessels or pottery in general. The difference between “earthen ware and “the potter’s vessel” The latter implies the vessel as it comes out of the hands of the potter before it is burnt. The former is the vessel after it has passed through the kiln. St. Chrysostom, speaking of this difference, observes that the vessels once baked in the kiln, if broken, are incapable of being restored, because of the hardness once gotten by fire. Whereas the others are of clay unbaken, if they be spoiled they may easily, by the skill of the potter, be restored to some second form.
Gill: The allusion is either to the earth itself, in which treasure lies, or is hid, and out of which it is dug; or to pots and vessels made of earth, into which treasure has been used to be put; or to earthen pitchers, in which lights or lamps were carried (Jdg 7:16) where Gideon’s 300 men had empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. One Jewish commentator observed in like manner the Gospel put into earthen vessels is a glorious light to some, whilst it is hidden to others. Yea, even lamps themselves were no other than earthen vessels, in which light was put;
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown: This very fact is one of the most marvelous proofs of God’s power, that an earthen vessel could bear such splendor and keep such a treasure” Chrysostom – [Homilies, 8.496, A]. The treasure or “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” The fragile “earthen vessel” is the body, the “outward man” (2 Cor 4:16; compare 2 Cor 4:10), liable to afflictions and death. So the light in Gideon’s pitchers, the type (Jdg 7:16-20, Jdg 7:22). The ancients often kept their treasures in jars or vessels of earthenware. “There are earthen vessels which yet may be clean; whereas a golden vessel may be filthy” .
All of the above is available to you on E-Sword. I have simply cut and pasted it all out of E-Sword for you. You just have to know where to look.
There is more to come but ponder this first. Catch you here in the next Gem, same place, same time. The cloud hasn’t moved on yet so at least one more day out here in the wilderness. Relax and enjoy it. Besides the baked beans haven’t run out. The vegemite has because you seem to like it so much.
God will mend a broken heart if you give Him all the pieces.
Aesop
God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume.
Vance Havner
Afflictions sent by providence melt the constancy of the noble minded, but confirm the obduracy of the vile, as the same furnace that liquefies the gold, hardens the clay.
Charles Caleb Colton