Jeremiah 18
1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
3Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
4And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
5Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
6O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Do you know how the Master Potter makes a fine china vessel for glorious service?
First he washes the impurities out of the clay.
Then he beats it (some people call it kneading) pound, bend, turn...pound, bend, turn... until it is just the right consistency. Then he rolls it and twists it. Then he puts it on a wheel and spins it round and round, till it's dizzy and malleable. Then he forms it into the shape that he had planned for it. But he is not done yet, he throws it into the fiery furnace. After that he paints a beautiful design with glaze and then sends it too the flames again. Only after it has been burned twice is it ready for his glorious service.
