Jeremiah 18:10
and if it does evil in My sight and does not listen to My voice, then I will relent of the good I had intended for it.
and if it does evil
The phrase "does evil" in Hebrew is "עָשָׂה רַע" (asah ra). The word "asah" means to do or to make, indicating an active choice or action. "Ra" means evil or wickedness, suggesting a moral deviation from God's standards. In the context of ancient Israel, this phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience was expected, and deviation was considered a breach of that covenant. The historical context reveals that Israel often struggled with idolatry and injustice, which were seen as doing evil in God's sight.

in My sight
The Hebrew phrase "בְּעֵינַי" (be'enai) translates to "in My sight" or "before My eyes." This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience and His personal involvement in the affairs of His people. It suggests that nothing is hidden from God, and He is fully aware of the actions and intentions of individuals and nations. This is a reminder of the personal nature of God's relationship with His people, where He observes and evaluates their actions.

by not obeying My voice
The phrase "not obeying My voice" in Hebrew is "לְבִלְתִּי שְׁמֹעַ בְּקוֹלִי" (levilti shemoa beqoli). "Shemoa" means to hear or listen, and "beqoli" means "in My voice." This phrase highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, which were often delivered through prophets like Jeremiah. In the biblical context, hearing God's voice was synonymous with receiving His guidance and commandments. The failure to obey signifies a rejection of divine authority and wisdom, which was a serious offense in the covenantal relationship.

then I will reconsider
The Hebrew word for "reconsider" is "וְנִחַמְתִּי" (venichamti), which can also mean to relent or change one's mind. This reflects the dynamic nature of God's interactions with humanity, where He responds to human actions. It shows God's willingness to adjust His plans based on the moral and spiritual state of His people. This is not a sign of weakness but rather an expression of His justice and mercy, balancing His righteous standards with His desire for repentance and restoration.

the good I had intended to do for it
The phrase "the good I had intended to do for it" underscores God's benevolent plans for His people. The Hebrew word "טוֹבָה" (tovah) means good, welfare, or prosperity. God's intentions are always for the well-being and flourishing of His people, contingent upon their faithfulness to Him. This reflects the biblical theme that God's blessings are often conditional upon obedience. Historically, this was evident in the blessings and curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant, where obedience led to prosperity and disobedience to judgment.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. God
The sovereign Lord who communicates His will and intentions through His prophets.

3. The Nation of Israel
The primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecies, representing God's chosen people who are often warned about their disobedience.

4. The Potter's House
The setting for the object lesson in Jeremiah 18, where God illustrates His sovereignty over nations and individuals.

5. The Covenant
The agreement between God and Israel, which includes blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
God is sovereign and has the authority to shape nations and individuals according to His will. However, human response to His voice plays a crucial role in determining the outcome.

The Conditional Nature of God's Promises
God's promises of good are often conditional upon obedience. Disobedience can lead to the withdrawal of intended blessings.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's voice is crucial for receiving His blessings. Disobedience not only forfeits blessings but can also invite judgment.

Repentance and Divine Relenting
Genuine repentance can lead to God relenting from intended judgment. This highlights God's mercy and willingness to forgive.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah serve as God's messengers, calling people to repentance and warning them of the consequences of disobedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the potter and clay in Jeremiah 18 help us understand God's sovereignty over our lives?

2. In what ways does Jeremiah 18:10 challenge us to examine our own obedience to God's voice?

3. How can the account of Nineveh in Jonah 3 inspire us to seek repentance and transformation in our communities?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are living in obedience to God's commands as outlined in Deuteronomy 28?

5. How does understanding the conditional nature of God's promises affect our relationship with Him and our daily decision-making?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, echoing the conditional nature of God's promises seen in Jeremiah 18:10.

Jonah 3
The account of Nineveh's repentance and God's relenting from disaster parallels the conditional aspect of God's intentions based on human response.

2 Chronicles 7:14
This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, prayer, and turning from wicked ways to receive God's favor, similar to the message in Jeremiah 18.

Romans 9:21
Paul uses the potter and clay analogy to discuss God's sovereignty, reflecting the imagery in Jeremiah 18.

Ezekiel 18:21-32
This passage discusses God's desire for repentance and life rather than punishment, aligning with the themes of Jeremiah 18.
A Shattered Life RestoredJeremiah 18:1-10
A Visit to the Potter's HouseH. J. Boris.Jeremiah 18:1-10
Man in the Hands of GodHomilistJeremiah 18:1-10
On the Potter's WheelF. B. Meyer, B. A.Jeremiah 18:1-10
PotteryE. A. Stuart, M. A.Jeremiah 18:1-10
Restored ManhoodJ. D. Jones, M. A.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Answer is Yes -- and NoJ. Parker, D. D.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Blessed Parable of the Potter and the ClayS. Conway Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Clay in the Potter's HandD. Young Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Divine PotterJ. Parker, D. D.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Potter and His ClayF. James.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Potter and the ClayDean Plumptre.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Potter and the ClayA.F. Muir Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Potter and the DayJeremiah 18:1-10
The Potter and the DayA. Macleod, D. D.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Potter's WheelLeighton Parks.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Relation of the Will to Character and DestinyR. W. Moss.Jeremiah 18:1-10
The Teaching of the PotterD. J. Hamer.Jeremiah 18:1-10
A Never-To-Be-Forgotten Principle of InterpretationS. Conway Jeremiah 18:8-12
People
Jeremiah
Places
Jerusalem, Lebanon, Sirion
Topics
Benefit, Better, Bless, Changed, Evil, Hearken, Intended, Listening, Minute, Obey, Obeying, Orders, Promised, Purpose, Reconsider, Repent, Repented, Sight, Spoken, Voice, Wherewith
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 18:1-10

     5212   arts and crafts

Jeremiah 18:1-12

     6639   election, to salvation

Jeremiah 18:5-10

     5036   mind, of God

Jeremiah 18:5-12

     5917   plans

Jeremiah 18:6-10

     1130   God, sovereignty

Jeremiah 18:7-10

     4029   world, human beings in

Jeremiah 18:8-10

     1075   God, justice of

Jeremiah 18:9-10

     6195   impenitence, results

Library
The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious Pastor.
In any wise remember, if conveniently it may be, to send for some godly and religious pastor, not only to pray for thee at thy death--for God in such a case hath promised to hear the prayers of the righteous prophets, and elders of the church (Gen. xx. 7; Jer. xviii. 20; xv. 1; 1 Sam. xii. 19, 23; James v. 14, 15, 16)--but also upon thy unfeigned repentance to declare to thee the absolution of thy sins. For as Christ hath given him a calling to baptize thee unto repentance for the remission of thy
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Hindrances to Mourning
What shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame? Do two things. Take heed of those things which will stop these channels of mourning; put yourselves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears. There are nine hindrances of mourning. 1 The love of sin. The love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water. The love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin bewitches the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians at the Table of the Lord;
COMPRISING I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE; II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation.
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Of the Decrees of God.
Eph. i. 11.--"Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."--Job xxiii. 13. "He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." Having spoken something before of God, in his nature and being and properties, we come, in the next place, to consider his glorious majesty, as he stands in some nearer relation to his creatures, the work of his hands. For we must conceive the first rise of all things in the world to be in this self-being, the first conception
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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