Exhortation Station

Here’s a nugget from a passage I read in Jeremiah a few days ago:

Jeremiah 18:1-10 —

“The word which came to Jeremiah from YHWH saying, ² ‘Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.’ ³ Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. ⁴ But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

⁵ Then the word of YHWH came to me saying, ⁶ ‘Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?’ declares YHWH. ‘Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. ⁷ At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; ⁸ if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. ⁹ Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; ¹⁰ if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. ¹¹ So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, “Thus says YHWH, ‘Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds.'”

Here, Yahweh uses an analogy of a potter who has complete freedom in fashioning the clay to illustrate that He is able to do whatever He pleases with a nation. Though the children of Israel had calamity coming their way, He was willing to “remake” them into a pleasing vessel if they would repent. I think these verses exemplify Yah’s mercy, justice, and sovereignty.

Though Yah’s words here are directed specifically to Israel, it’s cool that Yahweh refers to “a nation” generically. Yahweh does not show partiality. If any nation will turn from its wickedness to serve Him, Yahweh will welcome it. Just think of Nineveh. How cool that Yahweh cared about Nineveh enough, wicked as it was, that He sent a prophet, Jonah, on a distant journey to call Nineveh to repentance. In fact, He cared so much about Nineveh hearing the message that He chastised Jonah by letting him spend some time inside a fish when he didn’t go! Nineveh did repent, and Yah relented. Sadly, Nineveh later reverted back to wickedness, and Yahweh justly punished them for it (Nahum chapter 2). Sounds pretty consistent with Jeremiah 18 if you ask me.

Yahweh can remake a ruined vessel into a pleasing one. Though these verses are speaking about nations, I think the principle has application on an individual level as well. Yahweh is eager to receive and renew the prodigal who turns to Him. From every nation, He welcomes the man who fears Him.

Acts 10:34,35 —

“Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.'”

We ought also be sober and not rely on past victories to secure Yah’s continued blessing. He wants our hearts all the time, every day, right now.

If you’ve resisted His workmanship in any capacity, now is the time to surrender. Soften your heart. Let Him remake you into another vessel. Maybe an ugly chunk needs to be removed. Maybe a couple small places need smoothing out. Maybe there’s a defect on the inside which, though not apparent to an outside observer, is hindering the usefulness of the vessel. Whatever the case, may we not harden ourselves to any of His crafting.

(Bible passages NASB 1995; Hebrew transl. added by me.)