The Parable, vv. 1-17
A. God Is the Potter
- God has a plan for the clay.
- God patiently works and remolds the clay.
B. Judah Is the Clay
- God molds and remakes the clay according to His will.
- If the clay does not respond, God breaks and remolds.
C. God’s Plan for Judah
- God is framing (Heb. potter) evil for Judah; God is devising (Hebrew, weaving) a curious work (device) against Judah.
- Judah is to be remade through Exile.
- If Judah repents, God will relent.
- Judah decides to do it their way, v. 12.
D. God’s Response to Judah’s Decision
- Even the Gentiles know better.
- Who would leave snow water (pure, clean) for forsaken water (muddy cess pool)?
- Why would they leave safe highways for unsafe paths?
- As a result of Judah’s decision, God will make them a hissing astonishment of pagans and wagging of heads at Judah’s destruction and stupidity.
- God will scatter them like the east wind before an enemy.
- God will not make His face to shine on them in their calamity, cf. Numbers 6:24-26.
The Plot, v. 18
A. Jeremiah had condemned three classes of leaders:
- Priests
- Sages
- Prophets
B. Judah’s three classes of leaders believed:
- Since priests have the law, they are right.
- Since sages have wisdom, they have good counsel.
- Since prophets speak for God, they have the word of God.
C. Judah’s leaders plan to attack Jeremiah with lies.
The Prayers, vv. 19-23
A. Compare my words against their words and decide who is right.
B. Remember that Jeremiah prayed for them, and they repaid his good with evil.
C. Jeremiah adjusts his prayers for Judah’s leaders:
- Deliver their children to famine
- Pour out their blood
- Let their wives be widows
- Let their houses be destroyed
- Do not forget their iniquity
- Punish them for their evil against me (Jeremiah)