WASHING DISHES by Mrs. S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 18, 1901

WASHING DISHES.

By Mrs. S. N. Haskell

MRS. S. N. HASKELL.

Perhaps there is no work that becomes more monotonous than dish washing. Over and over again the same dishes are taken from the shelves, soiled, washed, and returned. Several times a day for three hundred and sixty-five days in a year the work is repeated.

The Saviour knows the daily lives of His people; and that the busy housewife in her daily routine of dish washing might not forget Him as she washes her dishes, He has bound that every-day work inseparably with the truths of His written word. He designs that while the hands are engaged in work, the mind shall revert to sublime truth.

The dishes of the earthly sanctuary were made after a heavenly design; for after giving the directions to make them, the Lord adds: “Look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount.” God recognizes them as essential articles.

Jael, whom the Lord said was blessed above women, served food to her guest in a “lordly dish.” The dish itself was such as to attract attention, showing that when food is served, the dishes in which it is served, as well as the food, should receive attention. This does not necessitate that they be expensive. The Saviour gives the key to this in His words to the scribes and Pharisees, the last time He visited the temple: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

The washing of dishes is a test of Christian character. If the dishes are poorly washed, with food left adhering to the inside, they represent a hypocritical character; while on the other hand, if the inside of the cups and platters are thoroughly washed, the outside will be clean also. Dishes properly washed represent true Christians. If the heart is pure, the words and actions will correspond; “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

The Saviour noticed even the washing of dishes, and the manner in which they were washed. He is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” He is with us always, and is by our side as we wash our dishes. We to-day can learn lessons from the words He spoke to them of old time.

The Lord thus illustrates the thorough and complete destruction that will come upon the wicked: “I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down.” 2 Kings 21:13. This represents good dish washing, “wiping it, and turning it upside down,” so that no dust can lodge in it.

God is willing to remove the sin and save the sinner; He will cleanse us and place us where we shall not fall under temptation. As the dish is turned upside down to keep it free from dirt, so we shall be kept in time of trial if we give ourselves wholly into the Master’s hands.

Instruct your children in the spiritual truths while you are teaching them practical lessons in dish washing. Teach them that untidy work in even as common work as dish washing does not escape the eye of the Saviour, and that He is pleased with work that is done in such a manner as to represent the light of the Christian.

Let your light shine in your homes, in your dish washing. Remember that grimy, half-washed dishes represent the hypocrite; while clear glass and bright, shining dishes represent the true-hearted Christian.