In the Potter’s Hand

Derek Mattila | The Voice of Zion August 2025 - The Sabbath Word 2 Article --

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 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. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 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. At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 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. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 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 18:1–10

Jeremiah the prophet lived a time of great upheaval and uncertainty in the southern kingdom of Judah. After the death of King Josiah, there were apostate kings installed who rejected God and the prophets. Nebuchadnezzar eventually destroyed Jerusalem, and many from the land of Judah were taken into captivity.

God approached Jeremiah at a young age with these words, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:5). Often, we feel our own weakness and timidity when we are asked to serve in God’s kingdom; Jeremiah was no different. He said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am but a child.” God reminded Jeremiah that He was with him, He would deliver Jeremiah and Jeremiah would go where the Lord sent him, and the Lord would put words in the mouth of His servant.

In Jeremiah 18, Jeremiah is led by the Lord to the house of the potter. The potter in the house was working and had a clay vessel on the wheel. We can assume that this potter brought his wares to the market to sell to his customers and had standards for goods that he produced. He saw that this vessel he was making was not one that he was happy with, so he reworked it into another vessel. This is what Jeremiah was watching when God came to him again with these words, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand O house of Israel.”

We see, as Jeremiah did at this potter’s house, a picture of God’s omnipotence. Just as the potter has full control over the clay, so does God shape all individuals and nations according to His will. He blesses obedience and despises sin and disobedience. His promises are sure for those who live of faith in Him.

This text about the potter’s clay applies to each one of us in our places of watching. As the letter writer to the Hebrews states in 12:6, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Just as the children of Israel in these times endured trials that were often heavy, so can we today suffer afflictions of health, death of a loved one, and other trials of life. During trials it is easy for our minds to question God and wonder Why me? or Why us? Why would God allow me to be this way or why would He allow certain things to happen?

Apostle Paul writes in the ninth chapter of Romans, “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.” “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (14,19–21).

Through faith we have comfort even when experiencing heavy trials and difficulties. Our family lived this very personally when our daughter was taken from this life at a young age. Without faith it would seem impossible to bear the grief that comes with the death of a child. Although questions still come to our minds, at the same time we can see how God did not forget us. The beauty of His kingdom shone brightly when times were the most difficult.