2 "Arise and go down to the potter's house , and there I will announce My words to you." 3 Then I went down to the potter's house , and there he was, making something on the wheel . 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter ; so he remade it into another vessel , as it pleased e the potter to make . 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying , 6 "Can I not, O house of Israel , deal with you as this potter does?" declares the Lord . "Behold , like the clay in the potter's hand , so are you in My hand , O house of Israel .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 18:2-6
Commentary on Jeremiah 18:1-10
(Read Jeremiah 18:1-10)
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.