The Lord not only tells Jeremiah to go and observe the potter (Jeremiah 1:18); he now explains to Jeremiah the meaning of what he sees. The symbolism is both clear and very significant: as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so is Judah in the Lord’s hand.
The symbolism of the Lord as potter forming creation out of clay is seen throughout Scripture. The word potter
recalls the Hebrew word yasar to show the creative work and power of the Lord. It is the Lord who formed/molded
mankind and animals from the dust/ground
(Genesis 2:7–8; Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9; Isaiah 64:8).1 This imagery is repeated throughout the Old Testament as the Lord is said to form some part of creation from the ground: Leviathan (Psalm 104:26); the earth (Isaiah 45:18); dry land (Psalm 95:5); mountains (Amos 4:13); light (Isaiah 45:7).2 The sovereignty of the Creator and the dependence of the creature is made clear by this symbolism.3 The question that the Lord asks is rhetorical, O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done?
Israel’s God is not just their Redeemer but their Creator. He brought them into existence for his plans and purposes. The parable of the potter does not present a picture of divine frustration and compromise. It is an uncompromising assertion of the sovereign, authoritative control of God. He is in charge: not just theoretically in charge, but actually, really governing what goes on here on earth, and what he produces matches exactly what he intends. Furthermore, he is completely in control of the process he employs in achieving his purposes.
4 The people of Judah must understand that if they do not match up to the purposes the Lord has for them then he has the power and authority to remold them until they do match his expectations. This remolding often takes place through acts of judgment and ultimately through exile.
6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.