The Potter’s House
Today we are going to walk with Jeremiah down to the potter’s house. Words alone are not sufficient, so God has asked us to go to the potter’s house and observe him. “There I will let you hear my words” (Jeremiah 18:2). So to the potter’s house we walk to hear with our eyes. Hopefully, Jeremiah can stop weeping long enough to hear clearly.
When we arrive at the potter’s house we find him working at his wheel. As the wheel turns the clay, his hands are busily shaping it into a vessel. He restricts the strength in his hands to so as to not destroy his creation. However, the vessel he was shaping was spoiled, so he began to make another vessel, “as it seemed good to the potter to do.” Our eyes have seen what was necessary for our ears to be able to hear want God wanted to communicate, so God spoke to Jeremiah.
“Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” – Jeremiah 18:5-6
God’s Sovereignty
God proceeded to tell Jeremiah of His ability to “pluck up and break down and destroy” any nation or kingdom. Rather intimidating. But such is the sovereignty of God. As Creator, God has control over His creation, hence the imagery of the potter and the clay. As God’s creation, you and I are in the same position as the house of Israel; like clay in the potter’s hand.
Jeremiah had a strong understanding of God’s sovereignty. Before he was even born God appointed him a prophet. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” Jeremiah 1:5. The Sovereign Potter formed Jeremiah to be a mighty prophet.
God’s Love
Like Jeremiah, God has a plan for you. Your existence is by design, not chance. “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). God is turning you on the wheel and shaping you like clay in His hands. But we don’t need to be intimidated by His sovereignty, it is balanced by His perfect love. This too, Jeremiah was acquainted with.
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Doubt the Love of God? Perhaps you need to take more walks in God’s word. Perhaps with John, who referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. It is helpful to hear God’s word through the eyes of others. That is why God appointed them to declare His word.
As God turns you on the wheel, submit to His authority. His plans are perfect, so humble yourself to His sovereignty. As He shapes you in His hands, look closely. The wounds in His palms are all the proof you need of His love for you. Our sovereign God can take dust from the ground, breath life into it, and transform it into the image of Christ. What hands would you rather be in?
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” – Isaiah 64:8