The Potter and the Clay

Jeremiah 18:1-6

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:

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

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

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.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the Lord. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!

I want to take this Biblical picture out of context for a moment. I know the story of the clay in the hand of the Potter concerns Israel and how the Lord would form them in His hand…but it is such a beautiful picture of How the Lord deals with us and forms Himself in us

Paul spoke to the Galatians about how Christ was being formed in them. I love this picture of our loving Father forming us into vessels of honor just as a potter forms clay. The First picture we have of God being like a Potter was when He formed us from the earth (Gen. 2:7):

God breathed on clay and it became man

Now He breathes on man and calls us to be clay

Is. 64:8 But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

Just a few thoughts about the clay:

• Before the Potter begins, the clay has no resemblance to the finished work.

Phil. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

 • Fine potters choose clay with a finished work in mind – He knows what He is doing in our lives. He knows the end from the beginning.

Jer. 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

• The potter will soak the clay in water before beginning – He soaks us in the Word so that we are ready for His hand to form Christ in us.

Eph. 5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

• The potter pounds the clay to make it soft – The Lord is not the author of suffering, but He is able to use the trials of our lives to make our hearts soft.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

• The potter has to make sure that the clay is centered on the wheel in order to be formed correctly. Our center is Christ

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being…

• The potter sometimes rests the clay to make it ready for what is to come.

Matt. 11: 28-29 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

• The shape of the pot is determined as much by the hand of the potter on the inside as the outside.

Jer. 18:4 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.

• The potter's hands become "one" with the clay - the color and grime of the clay are all over the potter's hands

Is. 49:2 ...In the shadow of His hand He has hidden me...

• The Potter places the vessel in a safe place to dry. This is a time when the vessel can be damaged if it is not protected. Our Potter hides us and keeps us safe – we are precious to Him.

Ps. 17:8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,

• The potter puts the vessel in the fire. This process produces the greatest change. If the vessel is to carry water (the Word) then it is sometimes fired twice, glazed and then fired again in an even hotter fire. This speaks of the strengthening God does in us as we walk with Him through trouble.

Is. 43:1-2 1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

• The Potter desires to create something beautiful in us. When the vessel is finished – if it is approved, a stamp is placed on the bottom to indicate that this vessel is approved and ready for use – it has gone through the fire without cracking. This word “approved” in Greek is dokimos. This is the same word as “tested” or “tried.” When we go through trials, the Lord is looking to perfect us and approve of us. He is looking for integrity in us. He wants to place His mark of approval (His anointing) on His faithful servants – those who do not need the approval of man but who are approved by God. See: 1Thess. 2:4; 2Tim. 2:15; James 1:12

The clay can never be shaped without pressure, or finished without fire