The Potter and the Clay

Jeremiah 18:1-6

God instructed Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house where Jeremiah would hear God’s words. When Jeremiah went to the potter’s house, he saw the potter working at his wheels. When the potter’s vessel became marred the potter made it again another vessel. The word of the Lord then came to Jeremiah, "O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? Saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hands, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:6).

Jeremiah saw God as the potter and the nation of Judah as the clay marred in his hands. God was willing, even after years of rebellion, to reshape Judah into a useful vessel if they would repent.

While God used this illustration to teach a lesson concerning Judah, there are also applications that can be made to individuals today. First, the vessel was a product of the potter. We are products of God. We are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). As the clay is under the control of the potter, we are under God’s control (although, unlike the lifeless clay that cannot decide to submit to the will of the potter, we must willingly submit to God).

Second, the potter’s patience permitted him to reform the vessel when it became marred. Rather than discard the clay, the potter crushed it and then reshaped it and made it another vessel. We are born into this world innocent, free from sin. When we become marred by sin, God does not discard us, but rather allows to us be born again or anew (John 3:3). Through our obedience to the gospel, we rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4) and become new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17).

Third, the potter’s vessel was not just ornamental. It was functional and designed to serve a purpose. As Christians, we become vessels of honor or vessels of dishonor (II Timothy 2:19-21). We ought to strive to be vessels of honor so that we may bring glory to God.