Jeremiah 18:10

_AND AT WHAT INSTANT I SHALL SPEAK CONCERNING A NATION, AND CONCERNING A KINGDOM, TO BUILD AND TO PLANT IT;_ NO JFB COMMENTARY ON THESE VERSES....

Now follows the opposite clause, _But if it will do evil before mine eyes, so as not to hear my voice_; that is, when a nation has been planted through my kindness, (for this is required by the context,) _then I will repent, _etc. By this denunciation is meant, that God would tread in the dust those whom he had favored with singular benefits, on account of the abuse made of them; although he had said, “When I promise bountifully and freely to a nation or a kingdom everything that can be wished, except my favor and goodness be rightly received, then I repent of the good done to it.” The meaning is, that the way of pardon is always open, when a sinner turns to God, and that it is in vain for men to boast of God’s promises, except, they in fear and obedience submit themselves to him. Both these things were necessary; that is, that the Jews should know that God would be entreated if they rep...

1-10 While Jeremiah looks upon the potter's work, God darts into his mind two great truths. God has authority, and power, to form and fashion kingdoms and nations as he pleases. He may dispose of us as he thinks fit; and it would be as absurd for us to dispute this, as for the clay to quarrel with the potter. But he always goes by fixed rules of justice and goodness. When God is coming against us in judgments, we may be sure it is for our sins; but sincere conversion from the evil of sin will prevent the evil of punishment, as to persons, and to families, and nations....

Verse Jeremiah 18:10. Jeremiah 18:7....

EXPOSITION This chapter is the introduction of a group of prophecies (extending to Jeremiah 25:1.) of various dates; their sequence has evidently not been determined by chronological considerations. The prophet's first object is, perhaps, to refute the scoffing inquiry (Jeremiah 17:15), "What has become of the [threatening] word of Jehovah?" and to justify the glorious premise given at the conclusion of the last chapter. The fulfillment of threatenings and promises alike is conditioned by the moral attitude of the people (comp. Ezekiel 33:11). God, as it were, holds them in either hand, and there is still time (contrast...

IF IT DO EVIL IN MY SIGHT,.... What is sinful, contrary to the law and will of God, openly and publicly, in a bold and daring manner: THAT IT OBEY NOT MY VOICE: in my word, and by my prophets, but turn a deaf ear to them, and slight and despise all instructions, admonitions, and reproofs: THEN I WILL REPENT OF THE GOOD WHEREWITH I SAID I WOULD BENEFIT THEM; or, "do them good" t; that is, withhold it from them, and not bestow it on them; but, on the contrary, correct or punish them according to their deserts. Thus, though God is a sovereign God, yet, in the dispensations of his providence towards kingdoms and nations, he deals with them in such a merciful and equitable manner, that there is no just reason to complain of him; and yet he maintains and keeps up his power and authority, such as the potter exercises over the clay. t להיטיב אותו "ad benefaciendum ei", Montanus; "ut benefacer...

CHAPTER 18 The Potter and the Clay _ 1. In the potter's house and the message (Jeremiah 18:1) _ 2. The plot against the prophet and his prayer (Jeremiah 18:18) Jeremiah 18:1. He was commanded to go to the house of a potter and watch his work. The vessel Jeremiah sees fashioned out of clay is marred; it did not turn out well. Then the clay was taken up again and made in another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it. Then came the message: “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 my hand, O house of Israel.” If the creature of the dust can do as he pleases with the clay, how much

THE POTTER AND THE CLAY. The potter (Jeremiah 18:1) moulding his clay on the upper stone, which he makes revolve by his feet resting on the connected lower stone, is compared with Yahweh in His control of Israel (Jeremiah 18:5). The point of the comparison, as worked out in Jeremiah 18:7 ff_.,_ is not predestination (contrast Romans 9-11), but the conditionality of Yahweh's treatment of a nation, according as it turns to good or to evil (_cf._ the story of Jonah and Nineveh, also Ezekiel's individualism, Jeremiah 18:20 ff.). Judah, however, will not repent (with...

See introd. note....

B. The Interpretation for the Prophet Jeremiah 18:5-10 TRANSLATION (5) And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (6) Am I not able to do to you as this potter (oracle of the LORD)? Behold, like clay in the hand of the potter, thus are you in My hands, O house of Israel. (7) One moment I may speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom to pluck up, to tear down and to destroy; (8) but if that nation repents of its evil on account of which I have spoken, then I will relent concerning the evil which I had thought to do unto it. (9) One instance I may speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom to build and to plant; (10) but if it does evil in My eyes that it not hearken to My voice, then I will relent concerning the good which I have spoken to benefit it. COMMENTS The nation of Israel is but clay in the hands of the divine Potter. He c