◄ Jeremiah 18:12 ►
But they will reply, 'It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.'"
Study Bible
But they will reply
This phrase indicates a response from the people to God's message delivered through Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "reply" is "עָנָה" (anah), which means to answer or respond. This response is not just verbal but reflects a deep-seated attitude of defiance. Historically, this reflects the period of Judah's rebellion against God's covenant, where the people consistently rejected prophetic warnings.

It is no use
The phrase conveys a sense of hopelessness or futility. The Hebrew word "יָאָשׁ" (ya'ash) implies giving up or despairing. This reflects a spiritual resignation, where the people see no point in changing their ways. In the broader scriptural context, this attitude is a tragic acknowledgment of their unwillingness to repent, despite knowing the consequences.

We will continue with our own plans
Here, the phrase underscores a deliberate choice to persist in self-determined paths. The Hebrew "מַחֲשָׁבוֹת" (machashavot) for "plans" suggests thoughts, intentions, or schemes. This highlights the people's preference for their wisdom over divine guidance. Historically, this reflects the era's cultural and religious syncretism, where God's commands were often sidelined for personal or political agendas.

each of us will follow
This phrase emphasizes individual responsibility and collective rebellion. The Hebrew "הָלַךְ" (halak) means to walk or follow a path. It signifies a conscious decision to pursue a particular lifestyle. Scripturally, this reflects the biblical theme of free will, where each person is accountable for their choices.

the stubbornness of his evil heart
The word "stubbornness" comes from the Hebrew "שְׁרִרוּת" (sherirut), meaning hardness or obstinacy. "Evil heart" uses "לֵב רַע" (lev ra), indicating a morally corrupt inner being. This phrase captures the essence of human rebellion against God, a recurring theme in the Bible. The heart, in Hebrew thought, is the center of will and emotion, and its corruption signifies a deep spiritual malaise. Historically, this reflects the period's moral decline, where idolatry and injustice were rampant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his lamentations and warnings of impending judgment due to the people's disobedience.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Jeremiah about their idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

3. The People of Judah
The recipients of Jeremiah's prophecies, who often responded with stubbornness and rebellion against God's commands.

4. God
The sovereign Lord who communicates His will through prophets and desires repentance and obedience from His people.

5. The Potter's House
A symbolic place used by God to illustrate His sovereignty and the malleability He desires in His people, as seen earlier in Jeremiah 18.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Stubbornness
Jeremiah 18:12 highlights the people's refusal to heed God's warning, choosing instead to follow their own plans. This serves as a caution against hardening our hearts and ignoring divine guidance.

The Call to Repentance
Despite the people's rebellion, God's message through Jeremiah is a call to repentance. We are reminded of God's patience and desire for us to turn back to Him.

God's Sovereignty and Our Response
The imagery of the potter and clay underscores God's authority over our lives. Our response should be one of humility and willingness to be shaped by His hands.

Consequences of Disobedience
The people's choice to follow their own plans leads to judgment. This serves as a reminder that disobedience to God has serious consequences.

The Importance of Listening to God
The passage challenges us to evaluate whether we are truly listening to God's voice or following our own desires. It encourages us to seek His will in all aspects of our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the potter and clay in Jeremiah 18:12 help us understand God's relationship with His people?

2. In what ways can we identify areas of stubbornness in our own lives, and how can we address them in light of this passage?

3. How does the message of Jeremiah 18:12 connect with the teachings of Romans 9:20-21 regarding God's sovereignty?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are listening to God's voice rather than following our own plans?

5. How can the warnings in Jeremiah 18:12 and Proverbs 29:1 guide us in making decisions that align with God's will?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 45:9
This verse also uses the imagery of the potter and clay, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the futility of resisting His will.

Romans 9:20-21
Paul references the potter and clay analogy to discuss God's authority over creation and His right to shape it according to His purposes.

Proverbs 29:1
This proverb warns of the consequences of stubbornness and hardening one's heart against God's correction.
Sermons
Despair, its Causes, Consequences, and CureS. Conway Jeremiah 18:12
Desperation DangerousT. Horton, D. D.Jeremiah 18:12
Hope, Yet no Hope -- no Hope, Yet HopeJeremiah 18:12
Hopelessness CondemnedJ. W. Cunningham, M. A.Jeremiah 18:12
Spiritual DesperationG. H. Chadwell.Jeremiah 18:12
The Despair of a Man Who Abandoned His Belief in GodThe Young ManJeremiah 18:12
The Sin, Danger, and Unreasonableness of DespairE. Payson, D. D.Jeremiah 18:12
The Terrors of a Despairing HeartJeremiah 18:12
A Never-To-Be-Forgotten Principle of InterpretationS. Conway Jeremiah 18:8-12
The Fatalism of the WickedA.F. Muir Jeremiah 18:11, 12
People
Jeremiah
Places
Jerusalem, Lebanon, Sirion
Topics
Act, Continue, Designs, Devices, Evil, Follow, Heart, Hope, Hopeless, Imagination, Incurable, It's, Moved, Plans, Pride, Stubbornness, Vain, Walk
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 18:12

     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     6178   hardness of heart
     6245   stubbornness
     8735   evil, origins of
     8760   fools, characteristics

Jeremiah 18:1-12

     6639   election, to salvation

Jeremiah 18:5-12

     5917   plans

Jeremiah 18:11-12

     8126   guidance, need for
     9614   hope, results of absence

Jeremiah 18:12-13

     6185   imagination, desires

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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