Jeremiah 18:1-11 The Potter And The Clay.
Jeremiah is told by the LORD to go to the Potter’s house, where he would hear His words (vv. 1-2). Here Jeremiah sees the potter reject a blob of clay, which did not come out as he intended so that he started over, making the vessel as seemed good to him (vv. 3-4). We then learn that this is something like how the LORD relates to individuals within the nation of Israel, as with all nations (vv. 5-6 Cf. Is. 64:8; II Tim. 2:20). As with the nations, so with the apostates within the covenant community, some vessels are for honour, and some are for dishonour, which was the same point made by Paul (Rom. 9:20-21 Cf. Prov. 16:4). Idolatry, beginning with the fall, seeks to reverse this order (Is. 29:16). Fallen and apostate humanity want to fashion a god of their own design, whom they may choose to reject at any time they want a different design. This plucking up, tearing down, and destruction refer back to Jeremiah’s call (vv. 7-8 Cf. 1:10). The same holds for building and planting of nations and individuals (v. 9 Cf. Ezek. 18:21; 33:11), who will also be plucked up and torn down if they rebel (v. 10). Given this wide scope, including all nations and peoples, Jeremiah is to point out to Judah that the same principle applies to them, including among those within the capital city of Jerusalem, and the temple (v. 11 Cf. 7:3-7; 26:3; II Kgs. 17:13).
