Vessels of Value

There are many different kinds of vessels. A vessel is something that carries something else, many times something of value. I think of the violin, or any instrument really, as a vessel of music. It contains the necessary space and shape/form to create beautiful music, organized in harmony and in time, penetrating the boundaries of the physical. We value the vessel, care for it, and make it beautiful. We also protect it, and feel a responsibility to use it and display it. When I play the harmonies of Bach, or the melodies of the great composers (or my own!), I realize the bow is a medium for pulling the “treasure” out of the “treasure chest”.

Daniel 1:1-2

"The Lord handed Nebuchadnezzar some of the vessels from the house of God from Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in the treasury of his god. "

The vessels are not described as to why they are valued. Their beauty is not described, nor are their contents. They could have been empty gold vases, studded with diamonds and emeralds. They could have been clay bowls carrying myrrh and rich spices and oils.

God valued them, because they lived in His house.

Therefore kings valued them.

Therefore little gods valued them, and probably the rest of the people around this situation (the majority of the world).

We are vessels of value. God values me, and therefore I have to value myself. This comes in the form of self care, self respect, and being subject to sanctification. I should also be willing and ready to use and display the Holy Spirit, because that is the valuable “item” (for lack of a better term) that I carry.

Likewise, we must view others the same way, especially other believers. If someone is watching the Lord’s hand at work and weighs situations and topics evenly, we should have no choice but to give them the respect a vessel of value deserves.