Clay in the Potter’s Hand – Part 1

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.”  So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Then the Lord gave me this message:  “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand….” Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NLT)

In these Scripture verses from the Book of Jeremiah, GOD gives the prophet instructions to go to the house of the village potter and observe how he works.

Jeremiah saw that the potter designed a lump of clay to form whatever shape he liked and if one shape proved unsatisfactory, he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. The Scriptures do not say this, but it is easy to imagine that the potter might repeat this process as often as he liked until he was completely satisfied with the final product. It is also safe to say, that the potter chose how he would use what he created.

Jeremiah by observation of the potter at work understood GOD’s relationship with Nations as well as individuals; that GOD’s authority is indisputable and whatever He decides regarding Nations or individuals, cannot be disputed. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

GOD is the potter and we are the clay. (“…can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay?”)

In the Scripture narrative, the clay never questions the potter about its design or use. Neither should we question GOD about what He is doing or has done in our lives. But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" Romans 9:20

GOD does not owe us anything and He is not accountable to us and it would be as absurd for us to dispute this as for the clay to quarrel with the potter. (Matthew Henry’s commentary on Jeremiah 18)

Just as the potter controls the shaping and remaking of the clay to suit his purpose, GOD has the right to make whatever changes with His children He pleases. To complain or to resist GOD’s authority over our lives is to attempt to reverse our roles so we become the potter and  GOD a lump of molded clay. GOD doing what we want, instead of we obeying GOD.

GOD does not share His glory with anyone, His children included. He is never going to throw up His hands and let us take over,  ignore His authority and do whatever we want. “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” Psalm 24:1

But GOD will certainly do with us what is just and fair.

Early in the Bible GOD made a covenant with Israel, they are the people He chose for Himself from among all other Nations. However, over time Israel turned from obeying GOD’s law to worshiping idols. Jeremiah 18 recounts the warning message GOD gave the prophet to pass on to Israel:  “I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’” Jeremiah 18:11

GOD is a merciful Father! Even when we act foolishly, attempt to usurp His authority and take His glory, GOD gives us an out – an opportunity to turn from our evil ways, obey His will, restore the relationship and be blessed. But too often, we do what the Israelites did when Jeremiah relayed GOD’s message to them. We refuse to listen!

But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires.” Jeremiah 18:12

We forget that our times are in GOD’s Mighty Hand, that we do not control our own destiny, and it is a losing battle for us to strive with GOD.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD, our good and faithful Father in Heaven. We thank and praise YOU, that in YOUR wisdom YOU have designed a great plan for us and in YOUR wisdom, YOU will shape us and remake us as many times as YOU need to so we are fit for our Master’s use. Thank YOU that YOU created us as YOUR masterpiece for YOUR good purpose. YOU are the Potter! We trust that every day YOU shape our circumstances and guide our steps to fulfill YOUR plan. Be patient with us as we learn how to enjoy our special place in YOUR Kingdom, that YOU are in control and that YOUR plans for us are never going to change. We praise YOU, Father, and give honor to JESUS CHRIST, our perfect example of one who was crushed and remade into a vessel of lesser value that He deserved…for our sakes. Our Redeemer in WHOSE NAME we pray.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile