Potter and Clay
Jeremiah 18, verse 1. The word that came from the Lord to Jeremiah, saying, Jeremiah 18, verse 2. “Arise and go down to the potter's house. There you shall hear My words.” Jeremiah 18, verse 3. Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he was forming something of wet clay upon the stones. Jeremiah 18, verse 4. The vessel he formed in his hands failed. So he again made himself another vessel as it pleased him to do. Jeremiah 18, verse 5. Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Jeremiah 18, verse 6. “Surely as this potter, am I not able to form you, O house of Israel? Behold, you are as the clay of the potter in My hands. Jeremiah 18, verse 7. I shall declare a decree concerning a nation or a kingdom, to remove and destroy them. Jeremiah 18, verse 8. But if this nation turns away from all their evils, then I will repent concerning the calamities I considered to do to them. Jeremiah 18, verse 9. If I shall declare a decree concerning a nation or a kingdom to rebuild and to plant it, Jeremiah 18, verse 10. but they do evils in My sight so as not to hear My voice, then I will repent concerning the good I spoke to do for them. Jeremiah 18, verse 11. “Therefore now, speak to the men of Judah and those inhabiting Jerusalem for Me, saying, ‘Behold, I form calamities and devise a plan against you. Therefore, let each turn away from his way of evil and do good in your practices.’”
God's Warning Is Spurned
Jeremiah 18, verse 12. But they said, “We will act like men and walk after our inclinations, and each one of us will do the evils pleasing to his heart.” Jeremiah 18, verse 13. Therefore thus says the Lord: “Ask now of the Gentiles, ‘Who has heard of such exceedingly horrible things as what the virgin of Israel did?’ Jeremiah 18, verse 14. Will nourishing streams of water not flow from rocks or snow from Lebanon? Will water turn aside when violently pushed by the wind? Jeremiah 18, verse 15. For My people have forgotten Me. They offer incense in vain and are sick in their ways, leaving the ancient ways to embark on impassable paths, Jeremiah 18, verse 16. so as to appoint their land for destruction and a perpetual hissing. All who pass through it shall be amazed and shake their head. Jeremiah 18, verse 17. I will scatter them like a burning wind before the face of their enemies. I will show them the day of their destruction.”
Jeremiah Is Ridiculed
Jeremiah 18, verse 18. Then they said, “Come and let us devise a plan against Jeremiah, for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the intelligent, nor a word from the prophet. Come and let us strike him down with the tongue, and we will hear all his words.” Jeremiah 18, verse 19. O Lord, hear me, and give ear to the voice of my plea for what is right. Jeremiah 18, verse 20. Surely evil things are repaid for good things; for they spoke words against my soul and concealed punishment meant for me. But remember, I stood before You to speak good things for them, so as to turn away Your wrath from them. Jeremiah 18, verse 21. Therefore give their sons to the famine and gather them to the power of the sword. Let their wives become childless and widowed, and let their men be put to death. In war, let their young men fall by the sword. Jeremiah 18, verse 22. Let a cry be heard in their houses, for You shall bring robbers upon them suddenly, because they formed a plan to take me and hid snares against me. Jeremiah 18, verse 23. O Lord, You know all their counsel against me so as to put me to death. Do not let their wrongdoings go unpunished, nor blot out their sins from before Your face. Let their weakness come before You, and in the time of Your anger deal with them.