Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Bible Study Notes in Jeremiah- Chapter 18


Jeremiah 18

 

-Now God instructs Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house where He will announce His words to the prophet. Jeremiah goes down to place God commanded and saw something being made on the wheel, but the vessel that was being made was spoiled in the hand of the potter. The potter remade it into another vessel as it pleased him, which was significant in God’s word to His prophet and people: “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does? Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it (Jeremiah 18:1-10).” God was telling Jeremiah that He was going to fashion calamity against Israel unless they turned back from their evil ways and reformed their ways and deeds (Jeremiah 18:11). God also predicated in His omniscience their response. They will say, “It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart (Jeremiah 18:12). In the LORD’s sight this is appalling because His people have forgotten Him and burned incense to worthless gods stumbling in their ways from the ancient paths of truth (Jeremiah 18:13-15). Therefore, the land will now become a desolation and object of disgrace. They will be scattered like the force of an east wind in the region. God will show them His back and not His face when they call for Him in their calamity (Jeremiah 18:16-17). *Application* God’s knowledge far exceeds ours. He knows the very essence of our heart and what our true agenda is. He cannot be fooled or outdone by anyone or anything. Allow your Maker to mold you as good clay into the vessel He desires and don’t resist (Isaiah 45:9; 64:8). He is good! Believe it and receive it. Don’t turn your own way.

-The horror of the people’s indignation now comes upon the prophet. They devise to strike at him with their tongue (talk negatively about him and denounce his word from God, rejection of his message). They decide that they will not take heed to what he says and actually dig a pit to put him in. They have deadly designs for the prophet of the LORD. Jeremiah cries out to the LORD because he had sought good on their behalf, but was truthful in what God gave him as a Word. As a result, Jeremiah now prays imprecatory prayers that they will be destroyed and overthrown by famine, the sword, and raiders (Jeremiah 18:19-23). Again we see the theme of the knowledge of God in each and every situation. He knows their every device and has given His wrath because of their corruption. *Application* Come clean before God because He knows you inside and out. Do you think evil of those who may be trying to correct you under the guidance of the Almighty? Be careful when you rebel against those who are prophetic and have heard from the LORD regarding you. This is pride and can cause God’s anger and wrath to be upon you just like He was against Israel during that time period. Repent and receive correction and Godly instruction. Have a humble heart.

 

Verse to Memorize: Jeremiah 18:8

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