Jeremiah 18:1-4
God used an object lesson, or an illustrated sermon of sorts to teach the prophet Jeremiah an important lesson about His nature. He sent him to a local potter’s house to watch the potter work on the wheels. The lesson regards Israel as a nation; and no matter how bad that they had become through sin and disobedience, God could make them a new vessel again.
It is not in the nature of God to simply destroy and start over. If God were destructive, He would have wiped Adam and Eve off of the earth and started fresh. Even the destruction of the earth and the inhabitants thereof in the time of Noah was done to keep the seed pure for the coming Messiah, not for the judgment of sins (Romans 5:13). God’s default position in dealing with man has always been, and always will be, mercy.
When the potter works with clay to form a lovely finished product, he must observe a few important rules. First, choosing good, pliable clay is a must. The product with which he is working has a large role to play in the final vessel. In us, God has placed His very breath, so when He deals with humanity, He has chosen clay that has the qualities of God already inside. He will not save the world through angels or animals, but only through us. What an honor!
The potter must also have a ready supply of water on hand as he makes the clay moist and usable. This water is the water of the Word, which Jesus uses to wash His church (Ephesians 5:26). Jesus said that we are made clean by His Words (John 15:3). When He speaks to us, He speaks words of beauty and love, washing the dross and filth off of us so that we are usable.
It is also important that the clay remain in the center of the wheel. As the potter spins the wheel, the clay may have a tendency to lean to one side or the other. The further from the center that the clay is, the more difficult that it is to create a vessel without any flaws. The very center of God’s WILL is the center of the Potter’s WHEEL. The essence of Christianity is wrapped up in this knowledge, which Jesus said is life eternal, “that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent” (John 17:4).
If an imperfection is to arise in the clay, causing it to become marred and unusable, the potter can simply remove it and toss it aside. The potter that Jeremiah watches has such an imperfection arise, but instead of tossing the clay out, he “made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it” (Jeremiah 18:4). When you and I are marred and imperfect in our actions and our lifestyle, the Father does not toss us out but rather He continues to fashion us into who He wants us to be. When God chose you, He predestinated you “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). He is fashioning you to look like Jesus!
Do you see problem areas in your life? Are there things that appear to be imperfections in your spirit man? Do not fear, your Father is a great Potter, and He has a finished product in mind. Be still, know that He is God, and you will be “meet for the master’s use” (2 Timothy 2:21).
God used an object lesson, or an illustrated sermon of sorts to teach the prophet Jeremiah an important lesson about His nature. He sent him to a local potter’s house to watch the potter work on the wheels. The lesson regards Israel as a nation; and no matter how bad that they had become through sin and disobedience, God could make them a new vessel again.
It is not in the nature of God to simply destroy and start over. If God were destructive, He would have wiped Adam and Eve off of the earth and started fresh. Even the destruction of the earth and the inhabitants thereof in the time of Noah was done to keep the seed pure for the coming Messiah, not for the judgment of sins (Romans 5:13). God’s default position in dealing with man has always been, and always will be, mercy.
When the potter works with clay to form a lovely finished product, he must observe a few important rules. First, choosing good, pliable clay is a must. The product with which he is working has a large role to play in the final vessel. In us, God has placed His very breath, so when He deals with humanity, He has chosen clay that has the qualities of God already inside. He will not save the world through angels or animals, but only through us. What an honor!
The potter must also have a ready supply of water on hand as he makes the clay moist and usable. This water is the water of the Word, which Jesus uses to wash His church (Ephesians 5:26). Jesus said that we are made clean by His Words (John 15:3). When He speaks to us, He speaks words of beauty and love, washing the dross and filth off of us so that we are usable.
It is also important that the clay remain in the center of the wheel. As the potter spins the wheel, the clay may have a tendency to lean to one side or the other. The further from the center that the clay is, the more difficult that it is to create a vessel without any flaws. The very center of God’s WILL is the center of the Potter’s WHEEL. The essence of Christianity is wrapped up in this knowledge, which Jesus said is life eternal, “that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent” (John 17:4).
If an imperfection is to arise in the clay, causing it to become marred and unusable, the potter can simply remove it and toss it aside. The potter that Jeremiah watches has such an imperfection arise, but instead of tossing the clay out, he “made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it” (Jeremiah 18:4). When you and I are marred and imperfect in our actions and our lifestyle, the Father does not toss us out but rather He continues to fashion us into who He wants us to be. When God chose you, He predestinated you “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). He is fashioning you to look like Jesus!
Do you see problem areas in your life? Are there things that appear to be imperfections in your spirit man? Do not fear, your Father is a great Potter, and He has a finished product in mind. Be still, know that He is God, and you will be “meet for the master’s use” (2 Timothy 2:21).
