You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul. George Bernard Shaw -
Meaning of glass: In all cultures, glass, especially the mirror, has a special symbolism, far exceeding the simple function of reflection. It is a portal to another world and is used in art as an element with a strong mystical significance.
The word glass appears approximately 5 times in the Bible.
A glass by any other name is still glass or is it? Such a beautiful and yet functional work of art. My journey on the glass trail found “Glass was first made in the ancient world, but little is known about man’s first efforts to make glass. Amulets and solid beads were made in Mesopotamia as far back as 2500BC. Later, glass making was further developed in Egypt around 1500BC.”
It always surprises me when I think of the art and creations man developed with such rudimentary tools.
The most expensive piece of glass in the world is Darby, Banjo, Scott Deppe, + Clinton Roman’s The Throne – worth $1,000,000. This glass piece falls under drug Paraphernalia and due to the Controlled Substances Act, it’s illegal in most if not all states in the United States. In most states, the possession of paraphernalia is illegal as well. Even in states where cannabis has been legalized, paraphernalia remains punishable. It’s not a piece I would purchase even at a garage sale. It’s dark and does not resonate with my soul or my journey with God's light.
On my fact-finding mission, I found Glassblowing an interesting stop as well. I do remember standing for hours at a local theme park and being mesmerized by a glassblowers artistry. The ability to start with basic sand heating it to the perfect temperature then inflating molten glass into a bubble (or parison) with the aid of a blowpipe. Twist, inflate, heat, pull.. to create a beautiful harden art of glass when cooled.
I found that I also questioned the difference between glass and crystals. I landed on the most popular and beautiful crystal manufacturing company by the name of Swarovski. Swarovski crystals do not occur naturally. They are man-made gems manufactured in Austria and consist of 32 percent lead, which is a requirement when making the crystals. The use of lead allows for a material that can withstand cutting and engraving. The lead is the magic element that is added to the glass. It appears that it’s what gives it its brilliance and the hardness to cut it with such precision.
Now that I have a little better understanding of glass where is He leading me? Where and how does glass make its mark in the Bible?
There is little written about this precious man-made art. But is it truly manmade? Or is man-altered ...It is created by using a hydrogen/oxygen flame and also an arc welder to turn sand into glass. Again even this art points back to God's original Art sand. So as we look at scripture it is documented in Revelations “And before the throne, there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne”
I find it interesting how man claims to invent things in our world.. when indeed we are just discovering His art, His power, His genius... it’s in everything we see, touch, smell, taste, and hear everything points to Him. He is our miracle-maker, our inventor.. our love. To discover Him in the smallest grain of sand is a significant find of the soul... and like the beautiful crystal, His name is brilliantly engraved in our hearts.
It's Him, It's always Him!
Priceless!!
James 1:23 |
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”
Revelation 4:6 KJV
“Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?”
Job 37:18 KJV
Design & Written by Lori Garner
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Bible Verses From KJV / Sinner's Prayer
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