In potter’s house

Jeremiah 18, 1-11

Historical meaning of the text

Jeremiah noticed that potter had a precise plan.
The potter used his skillful hands and different instruments to give a particular shape to a pot. The pot was to serve the purpose that was in the mind of the potter.

• The potter chose the clay, not the clay chose a potter.

• The potter chose the clay he needed.

• The potter used pressure to make a shape.

The Great Potter has a plan for each of us (Jeremiah 1, 18; 2,11).

• Jeremiah saw God as the Potter and Israel as His clay.

• God had a plan for Israel.

• God gave a particular shape to Israel by sending many blessings.

• God gave a particular shape to Israel by extending judgment.

Spiritual meaning of the text

1. The potter found the clay.

• Psalm 40, 2-3.

• For others we were just a dirty clay, but God saw the pot.

• It is not that we have chosen God, but God chose us!

• 1 Corinthians 6, 9-11.

2. The potter mixed the clay with water in order to make a particular, preliminary shape.

• Ephesians 5, 26.

• Galatians 4, 19.

• Philippians 3,10.

• Romans 8, 29; 12, 2.

3. The potter used his feet to remove all little air bubbles that could cause the pot to break in the future.

• Ephesians 1,20-22.

• ‘Leaking’ Christians.

4. The potter has placed the clay on the his wheel for the final shaping.

• Turning around on the wheel.

• Remaining on the wheel as long as is needed.

• The potter is still using His fingers to remove some ‘foreign’ parts (1 Peter 5, 6).

5. The potter dried the pot in the sunshine.

• This process was much needed but not final and not satisfactory. If the potter stopped here, the pot would not be used very long. The potter’s plans go further and deeper.

6. The potter has to put the pot into the furnace.

• a. A fire removed all rubbish.

• b. After this process the pot is more stable.

• c. 1 Peter 4, 12-14.

7. The potter decorated the pot.

• The pot was to be not only good, but attractive looking (Romans 12, 2).