Vessels of Honour

One of the interesting aspects of shows like Antique Roadshow or American Pickers is when experts provide insight into the history of a painter, item, car or brand.  They explain how to tell the real deal from fakes and supply a valuation based upon what they believe the item is worth or what it could sell for at auction.  I am often impressed at their historical knowledge, the meaning behind makers marks on ceramics, art pieces and jewelry, and attention to details I never would have known to look for.

While the experts know a lot about the history or current market value of an item, one thing they never talk about is to predict what will happen to that watch, vase or painting 70 years from now.  They can suggest an amount to ensure an antique for, but they are not in the business of providing prophecies about where a set of silver flatware or a gold trinket will be stored.  No expert can claim to have this knowledge, but God does.  God used the vessels and dishes of the temple as an object lesson to demonstrate His all-knowing wisdom, and at the same time expose false prophets for their folly.

Jeremiah 27:19-22 says, "For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, concerning the Sea, concerning the carts, and concerning the remainder of the vessels that remain in this city, ²⁰ which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem--²¹ yes, thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem: ²² 'They shall be carried to Babylon, and there they shall be until the day that I visit them,' says the LORD. 'Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.'"  In the following chapter Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet claimed the vessels already taken by Nebuchadnezzar would be returned within two years.  Hananiah's word was proved false when they were not returned, and they remained in Babylon until the empire was overthrown by the Medes and Persians.  Then the remnant of Israel was sent back with the vessels of the sanctuary according to the word of the LORD.

How wonderful it is to have a God who is omniscient, who cannot be tricked or deceived by lies!  I am reminded of the teaching of Jesus how sparrows were of small monetary value but not one falls without God taking note of it.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:31, "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."  The implication is if God knows where dishes will be taken and stored, if He knows when a sparrow falls, He knows precisely what is happening in our lives and where He will lead us.  He cares about us much more than vessels of brass, silver and gold; He loves us more than birds He created beautiful that fly and sing.  In 70 years who knows where my dishes will end up, but praise the LORD disciples of Jesus have assurance where we are going because He is preparing a place for us to be with Him forever.  By God's grace we are His treasures beyond price, purchased with the blood of Jesus.