1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make [it].
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay [is] in the potter’s hand, so [are] ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
7 [At what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy [it];
8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
9 And [at what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant [it];
10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
11 Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
12 And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.
13 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.
14 Will [a man] leave the snow of Lebanon [which cometh] from the rock of the field? [or] shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?
15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;
16 To make their land desolate, [and] a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.
17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, [and] to turn away thy wrath from them.
21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their [blood] by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and [be] widows; and let their men be put to death; [let] their young men [be] slain by the sword in battle.
22 Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.
23 Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay [me]: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal [thus] with them in the time of thine anger.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 18
Jeremiah 18 presents a powerful metaphor through the imagery of a potter and clay, illustrating God’s sovereignty, the potential for repentance, and the consequences of disobedience. The chapter emphasizes the relationship between God and Israel, highlighting themes of judgment, mercy, and the possibility of change.
The Potter’s House (Verses 1-6)
In the opening verses, God instructs Jeremiah to visit a potter’s house, where he observes the potter at work. This scene serves as a vivid metaphor for God’s creative power and authority over nations and individuals.
- Divine Instruction: God tells Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house, symbolizing the call to witness God’s craftsmanship.
- Observation of Craft: Jeremiah sees the potter shaping clay, which becomes marred, leading him to reshape it into another vessel.
- God’s Sovereignty: God explains that just as the potter has power over the clay, He has authority over Israel, indicating His ability to mold and reshape nations according to His will.
The Message of Repentance (Verses 7-10)
God communicates the conditional nature of His judgment, emphasizing that He is willing to relent from disaster if a nation repents.
- Judgment and Mercy: If God declares judgment against a nation and they turn from their evil, He will not bring the disaster He intended.
- Conversely: If a nation that God intends to bless turns to evil, He will reconsider the good He planned for them.
The People’s Rebellion (Verses 11-12)
Jeremiah is instructed to convey God’s message to the people of Judah, who have hardened their hearts and rejected God’s call to repentance.
- Stubbornness: The people respond with defiance, claiming they will continue in their own ways, illustrating a rejection of divine guidance.
- Implications of Rebellion: Their refusal to listen signifies a deep-seated rebellion against God, leading to inevitable consequences.
God’s Judgment and the Consequences (Verses 13-17)
God laments the people’s unfaithfulness and outlines the consequences of their actions.
- Call to the Nations: God calls upon the nations to witness the folly of His people, emphasizing their abandonment of righteousness.
- Consequences of Idolatry: The people have turned to worthless idols, leading to spiritual and moral decay.
- Destruction of Heritage: God warns that their land will become desolate, and they will be scattered among the nations.
The Plot Against Jeremiah (Verses 18-23)
The chapter concludes with the people’s conspiracy against Jeremiah, showcasing the hostility faced by prophets who deliver God’s messages.
- Conspiracy: The people plot to silence Jeremiah, viewing him as a threat to their way of life.
- Jeremiah’s Plea: He calls upon God to take action against his enemies, expressing his anguish and desire for justice.
Thematic Analysis
Jeremiah 18 encapsulates several key themes that resonate throughout the book and the Bible as a whole.
- Sovereignty of God: The potter-clay metaphor underscores God’s ultimate authority over creation and His ability to shape destinies.
- Repentance and Hope: The conditional nature of God’s judgment offers hope for redemption, emphasizing that change is possible.
- Human Rebellion: The chapter highlights the tendency of humanity to resist divine guidance, leading to dire consequences.
- Persecution of Prophets: Jeremiah’s experience reflects the broader theme of the struggles faced by those who speak truth to power.
Conclusion
Jeremiah 18 serves as a poignant reminder of God’s desire for His people to turn back to Him, the reality of judgment for disobedience, and the unwavering commitment of prophets to deliver God’s messages, even in the face of hostility. The chapter invites reflection on the nature of repentance, the consequences of choices, and the hope found in God’s mercy.
