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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 222

"Arise and go down to the potter's house"

Text: Jeremiah 18:2

IN A POTTER’S WORKSHOP

There were many ways in which the Lord taught the prophet Jeremiah. In this instance, Jeremiah was sent to a potter’s workshop to observe how he worked.

“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying:
‘Arise and go down to the potter’s house,
and there I will cause you to hear My words.’
Then I went down to the potter’s house,
and there he was, making something at the wheel.
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter;
so he made it again into another vessel,
as it seemed good to the potter to make.”
Jeremiah 18:1-4

1. “The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying”

a) God spoke to His prophet first.
b) He would choose the lessons that He wants His servant to learn.
c) He would also choose the place where He would teach His word.

2. “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words”

a) God could teach His word:
i) In any given place.
ii) At any given time.
b) Going to a potter’s house:
i) Jeremiah’s part was to learn.
ii) He must give heed to whatever God said to him.
iii) God would speak to him at the potter’s house (his workshop).

3. “Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel”

a) Jeremiah heeded the Lord’s word.
b) He observed the potter at work.

4. “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter;
so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make”

a) The potter was making a vessel of clay.
b) But along the way the vessel was marred.
i) The clay could have had a flaw.
ii) Something had gotten mixed into the clay.
iii) The original design had to be changed.
c) “Another vessel”
i) The wise potter knew he had to destroy that lump of clay.
ii) He had to remove whatever was spoiling his work.
iii) He then re-designed the vessel.
d) “The potter”
i) He may change the design of the vessel.
ii) He has the skill to make the necessary changes.
iii) He changes as he thinks fit.
iv) The clay could not form itself but is totally dependent upon the potter.

These were obvious lessons. But what was God trying to teach Jeremiah?