The Potter

Today we take so much for granted. Take for example a cup or mug for drinking tea or coffee from. We take it out of the cupboard without giving a thought as to how it was made.

But God in His Word the Bible, uses the theme of earthen vessels made by

the potter, as a way of teaching us about the relationship between the Creator and His Creation.

These days few potters prepare their own clay, but in times past they had to dig the clay and then prepare it. 

Isaiah writes of the potter treading the clay (41:25), which consisted of mixing it with water until it was of a consistency that could be shaped on a wheel. It had to be completely smooth and flexible, neither too dry nor too wet, and free of stones and gravel.

Jeremiah writes: 

"I went down to the potter's house, and there he was making something at the wheel" (18:3). 

It was a familiar sight in those days because all pots were made by hand. If you have ever tried your hand at making a pot on a wheel, you will know that what looks easy in the hands of a skilled potter, can play strange tricks in the hands of a novice of the art.

Jeremiah describes for us the potter at his work: first of all suitable clay is needed, then its preparation, then the potter's skilled hands, then the vessel slowly taking shape

—or maybe it is spoiled so that the work has to begin again, then ultimately the lump of clay is gradually formed into a vessel for use

or for beauty.

Jesus referred to of one of his disciples as a "vessel", when speaking to his faithful disciple Ananias about the persecutor Saul, he said: “He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

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Later, Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, when writing to Timothy, uses the same figure of speech: 

"If anyone cleanses himself . . . . he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). 

And when Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he used the same word: 

"we have this treasure in earthen vessels" (Cor. 4:7).

The righteous man Job, was also aware of his origin, when he said to God: "                         Remember, I pray, that You have made me like clay. 

And will You turn me into dust again?" (10:9).

As Isaiah was also: 

" O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand" (64:8).

And so God is teaching us in His Word, that He is the Potter and we are the clay, that the clay is of the earth, earthy. That we begin as unformed characters, unable to receive and contain the precious things that the Potter wants to place in His vessels, the work of His hands.

But what is it that makes clay pliable in the potter's hands? It is water, as God through Jeremiah tells us: 

“Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the LORD, The fountain of living waters.” (17:13).

Without water the clay is unusable. As the potter turns the wheel with his feet and shapes the clay with his hands, he constantly dips his fingers in water, without the water the clay cannot be shaped.

So in His Word God teaches us, that His fingers are upon us, and we are upon His wheel. He is trying to shape us to make us vessels suitable for His purpose. He has provided the precious water, His Word, and made it freely available to us, so that our characters can be shaped by it. 

In the words of Isaiah: 

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters. And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat" (Isa. 55:1).

For our character to be moulded into ones suitable for God’s use, we must want to read and study His Word prayerfully, and to allow it to shape us without resistance on our part, when it finds bits of grit that must be removed from our characters.

There is nothing that our Father, the Divine Potter, desires more for us, than that we should each be a vessel unto honour, fit for His use.

But are we allowing Him to carry out His purpose by availing ourselves of His provision? He has done His part, are we doing ours? 

Footnote – All quotations used in this blog are taken from the New King James Bible unless stated otherwise. 

Choices

 

A recent nature watch programme on television had a garden for its setting. In the midst of the garden was a bird feeding table which was full of seeds suitable for wild birds. Cameras were focused on the table to photograph the birds that visited the table. You would have thought that one seed is much like another as far as birds are concerned, but that was not the case!

A small sparrow perched on the feeder and I was amazed to see the seeds flying in all directions. The little bird scattered the seeds as it sorted out which ones it wanted. It became obvious that the sparrow was very sure which kind of seed it required and discarded to the ground those it did not. 

The bird was making a choice – a very important choice - because it knew which seeds were suitable for its diet and that of its chicks waiting to be fed.

Throughout our lives we too have to make many choices.

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In the Bible we have many examples of people who had to make important choices. In order to make a choice we need to be “informed” as to the consequences of our choice.

In Genesis chapter 3 there was an important choice to be made. Eve chose to believe the serpent that said she would not die if she ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. She chose to ignore the warning that God had given that she would die. 

The consequence of Adam and Eve’s choice has affected mankind ever since, and it is only through God’s mercy and provision of His Son to redeem us from sin and death, that we can have hope of everlasting life.

Job has some interesting words about how we make decisions in our lives, for this is what he says: 

King David also gives us valuable advice on who we should go to for guidance in our lives:

During our lives we make many decisions or choices – but on what basis do we make them? Often we take decisions that lead to circumstances we would not wish. How do we know which choice to make? Who can we trust to teach us how to make an informed choice – our parents, teachers, friends – or even ourselves?

The Bible is the best “Guide for Life” because they are God’s words and have been given to us to direct our decisions throughout our lives. Having an understanding of God’s Word, will put into perspective all of our thinking.

Jesus tells us to  

And Jesus also tells us, 

“The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7

 

Footnote – All quotations used in this blog are taken from the New King James Bible.