Jeremiah - Chapter 18

Jeremiah 18.1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Jeremiah 18.2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Jeremiah 18.3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. Jeremiah 18.4 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. Jeremiah 18.5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jeremiah 18.6 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. Jeremiah 18.7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; Jeremiah 18.8 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. Jeremiah 18.9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; Jeremiah 18.10 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. Jeremiah 18.11 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. Jeremiah 18.12 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. Jeremiah 18.13 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. Jeremiah 18.14 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? Jeremiah 18.15 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; Jeremiah 18.16 To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. Jeremiah 18.17 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. Jeremiah 18.18 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. Jeremiah 18.19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me. Jeremiah 18.20 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. Jeremiah 18.21 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. Jeremiah 18.22 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. Jeremiah 18.23 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.

Jeremiah : Chapter 18

The Powerful Analogy of the Potter in Jeremiah 18

Chapter 18 of the book of Jeremiah offers us a profound reflection on how God shapes nations and individuals. Through the evocative image of the potter working with clay, this text invites us to meditate on divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Indeed, this chapter underscores the call to repentance and the possibility of change in God's plan.

The Rejection of the Divine Message

Jeremiah 18 also illustrates the sad reality of the people's rejection of the message. We invite you to explore five biblical passages that highlight the key themes of this revelatory chapter.

Related Bible Passages

Romans 9:20-21: "But who are you, O man, that you should question God? 'Can what is formed say to its former, "Why have you made me like this?"' Has not the potter the right to make one vessel out of the same clay for a noble use and another for a dishonorable use?" This passage directly relates to the metaphor of the potter in Jeremiah 18:1-11.

2 Timothy 2:20-21: "In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. If a person cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, useful to the Lord, and prepared for every good work." This verse echoes the metaphor of the potter and the possibility of change in Jeremiah 18:1-11.

Acts 5:38-39: "Therefore, in this case, I urge you: Leave these men alone and release them. If their purpose or activity is of human origin, they will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them, for you will find yourselves fighting against God." This passage reflects the principle that God can change His plans based on human actions, as shown in Jeremiah 18:7-10.

Psalms 2:1-4: "Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 'Let us tear their chains apart and cast off their fetters from us.' The Lord laughs from his throne in heaven; the Lord ridicules them." This verse addresses the people's rebellion against God and His prophet in Jeremiah 18:18-23.

2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness. But he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." This passage echoes the theme of God's patience and his willingness to see people repent, as seen in Jeremiah 18:7-11.