INTRODUCTION
The Bible uses symbolism to deepen the message God has
for His people. One such symbol is that of potter and clay. The most detailed
example is found in Jeremiah 18. God instructed the prophet Jeremiah to go to a
potter’s house where God would illustrate His relationship with Israel. Verses
2–6 say, “So I went down to the
potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping
from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another
pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He
said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord.
‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
Although
God allows human beings freedom to make moral choices, He demonstrates often
that He is still sovereign and in control of His universe. He does whatever He
wills with His creation (Psalm 135:6; 155:3; Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 46:9–11). We
need frequent reminders that God is over all and can do as He pleases whether
we understand His actions or not (Romans 9:20–21). He owes us nothing yet
chooses to extend to us the utmost patience, kindness, and compassion (Jeremiah
9:24; Psalm 36:10; 103:4, 17). The potter working with the clay reminds us that
God is at work in us “for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Isaiah 45:9
says, “Woe to those who quarrel with
their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the
ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work
say, ‘The potter has no hands’?”
God has
created each of us the way He wants us (Psalm 139:13–16; Exodus 4:11). It is
our responsibility to take what He has given us and use it for His glory and
pleasure. In doing so, we find our ultimate fulfillment. Rather than live with
disappointment and dissatisfaction with what God has or has not given us, we
can choose to thank Him in everything (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15). Just
as the clay finds its highest purpose when it remains pliable in the hands of
the potter, so our lives fulfill their highest purpose when we let our Potter
have His way with us.
The
Potter and the Clay
I ask
you, brethren and sisters, if you expect to go into heaven, if you do not do
His will on earth as it is done in heaven? Can those persons who pursue a
course of carelessness, neglect of duty, and disobedience, when they depart
from this life, expect that their spirits will associate with the spirits of
the righteous in the spirit world? I do not expect it, and when you depart from
this state of existence, you will find it out for yourselves. …That man or
woman who will not learn the principle of subjection, and become like clay in
the hands of the potter, will be led astray. …
The
Saints are receiving their endowment, and preparing for that which is in the
future; to dwell in the heavens, and sit upon thrones, and reign over kingdoms
and dominions, principalities and powers; and as this work progresses, the
works of Satan will increase, and he will continue to present one thing after
another, following up the work of God, and increasing means of deception, to
lead astray such men and women, and take them captive. As the work of God
increases in power and extent upon the earth, so will the works of Satan
increase. I expect that tribulation will be upon the wicked, and continue from
this time until they are swept off from the earth. I just as much expect these
things as I do to see the sun rise and set tomorrow.
I would
like to see all this people do right, and keep the commandments of God. I would
like to see them fulfill their covenants, and live up to their vows and
promises, and fulfill their obligations, for they have obligated themselves
before God, and before angels, and before earthly witnesses, that they would do
this. …
Comparing
us to clay that is in the hands of the potter, if that clay is passive, I have
power as a potter to mould it and make it into a vessel unto honor. Who is to
mould these vessels? Is it God Himself in person, or is it His servants, His
potters, or journeymen, in company with those He has placed to oversee the
work? The Great Master Potter dictates His servants, and it is for them to
carry out His purposes, and make vessels according to His designs; and when
they have done the work, they deliver it up to the Master for His acceptance;
and if their works are not good, He does not accept them; the only works He
accepts, are those that are prepared according to the design He gave. God will
not be trifled with; neither will His servants; their words have got to be
fulfilled, and they are the men that are to mould you, and tell you what shape
to move in. …
Now
suppose I subject myself enough, in the hands of the potter, to be shaped
according as he was dictated by the Great Master potter, that rules over all
things in heaven and on earth, He would make me into a vessel of honor.
There are
many vessels that are destroyed after they have been moulded and shaped. Why?
Because they are not contented with the shape the potter has given them, but
straight way put themselves into a shape to please themselves; therefore they
are beyond understanding what God designs, and they destroy themselves by the
power of their own agency, for this is given to every man and woman, to do just
as they please.
