Tear Bottles in the Bible:
Introduction
Tear bottles or lachrymatory tear bottles are small, tear-shaped glass bottles used in ancient times to collect and preserve tears shed during mourning or as a symbol of grief.
They were commonly used in the Mediterranean region, especially in ancient Greece and Egypt, and were made of glass, pottery, or other materials.
The tradition of using tear bottles was to collect tears during a funeral or mourning ceremony, and the bottles were often placed in tombs as a symbol of remembrance.
The idea behind collecting tears was to preserve the sadness and sorrow of the mourners, as well as to show respect for the dead.
Today, lachrymatory tear bottles are considered collectible antiques and can be found in museums and private collections.
They are a fascinating example of the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding death and mourning in ancient times.
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Tear Bottles in the Bible
The tear bottle is not a central idea in the Bible. However, David wrote about God putting his tears in His bottle in Psalm 56:8, “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”
In this passage of the Bible, David acknowledged God’s concern for His sorrow and pain to the extent that God is taking count of David’s tears and storing them in His bottle.
What message is David trying to put across here? Is He saying God has a bottle where He stores people’s tears?
Not likely. David used this imagery to illustrate God’s interest in every challenge and pain we go through.
The reality is that the path of a Christian is not free of hurdles and potholes.
We will undoubtedly go through challenges and problems in life.
Jesus confirmed this in John 16:33, when He said we will have tribulations in this world. Therefore, pain and tears are inevitable.
But we are not left without help.
We’re not left to suffer this pain and hardship alone.
Jesus, still speaking in John 16:33, said He has overcome the world, so we should cheer up.
So, although things may be rough, victory is sure for those called by God. God is not absent in our situation.
He is very interested and willing to make a way of escape for us. Therefore, God keeping our tears in His bottle means He is aware of everything we are going through; He feels our pain and will never forget to intervene.
Our sorrows might seem overwhelming, but God has a record of it all.
Now you might wonder, why doesn’t He deliver me since He knows and sees my pain?
The answer is simple. God’s thoughts and ways are different from yours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
He has His timing for everything, and sometimes He wants us to learn a lesson, so He steps back and watches us as we learn to navigate our way out of our pain and sorrow.
However, He intervenes on many occasions by carrying us through the fire so we are not burned and water so we do not drown.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
It is good to know that God never forgets. He keeps the records of everything we go through so that He can give us our rewards in full when the time comes.
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God owes no one.
He is a rewarder and answers prayers.
So, all the tears you shed are not for nothing.
They are in an unbreakable bottle with God, who will ensure that your tears are not in vain.
Here is what He will do in response to every drop of tears He has collected from your eyes.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
David expressed his confidence in the deliverance power of God.
He said God’s presence was always with him when he cried, and it chased his enemies away (Psalm 56:9).
So, the tears God collects steer Him up to fight every battle, causing us to cry.
Henceforth, when you cry, know that your tears are not falling down your eyes and drying up, but God is storing them in a bottle and keeping them close to His heart as a record of what He will do for you.
So, even when you feel lonely and feel like no one else understands your pain, God is right there watching over you, sharing in your pain and working for your good.
Do not act like others who allow their sorrow and pain to overpower them because they lack hope.
Instead, remember that you always have hope in God, who has also promised hope and a future because He has a good plan for you.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.