“‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 18:6). We see this metaphor throughout the Bible, God is the potter, we are the clay. Here it is fully formed in chapter 18 where God’s people refuse to change their ways, the clay tells the potter, “we will continue with our own plans” (18:12) and God’s response is predictably grim. I recall a line in a song from my youth group (now that was a long time ago), “when will we ever learn, when will we ever learn.” That sentiment runs through my mind as I tend to judge the Israelites. But wait! Have we learned and actually submitted to the Lord? I’m not so sure we have learned much. Thanks be to the Lord, the giver of all, the true potter. Lord shape me and mold me into the man you want me to be. Put me in the kiln and finish me with your glaze that makes the clay pot useful for your purposes. Unless I’m dried in the kiln and sealed with your glaze, I’m of little use, just a lump of clay. All praise, honor and glory be to you Lord.
“‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 18:6). We see this metaphor throughout the Bible, God is the potter, we are the clay. Here it is fully formed in chapter 18 where God’s people refuse to change their ways, the clay tells the potter, “we will continue with our own plans” (18:12) and God’s response is predictably grim. I recall a line in a song from my youth group (now that was a long time ago), “when will we ever learn, when will we ever learn.” That sentiment runs through my mind as I tend to judge the Israelites. But wait! Have we learned and actually submitted to the Lord? I’m not so sure we have learned much. Thanks be to the Lord, the giver of all, the true potter. Lord shape me and mold me into the man you want me to be. Put me in the kiln and finish me with your glaze that makes the clay pot useful for your purposes. Unless I’m dried in the kiln and sealed with your glaze, I’m of little use, just a lump of clay. All praise, honor and glory be to you Lord.