BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusNäide

Humanity’s history began when Yahweh formed the first adam, that is, “human,” from the adamah—the dust or dirt or clay of the ground. In today’s reading, Yahweh returns Jeremiah to this moment by taking him on a field trip to a potter’s house. The potter’s goal is to shape his clay into a useful vessel. When his first pot twists into a useless wreck on the wheel, he presses the clay back into a rough lump and keeps trying. When the clay dries in a malformed state, the potter smashes the distorted pot and starts over.

So it will be with the people of Israel, Yahweh explains. Like he first molded humanity from “clay,” God forms Israel between his palms. He wants to sculpt them into a glorious jar, one he can use to generously pour out his blessing on the world. But now, idolatry and injustice have deformed the Southern Kingdom beyond hope of repair. As a prophetic sign of Judah’s fate, Yahweh tells Jeremiah to buy a clay jar from the potter and smash it to pieces in front of Jerusalem’s priests and elders.

This unpopular message gets Jeremiah arrested, beaten, and thrown into a cage meant for livestock. It’s only the latest setback in his spectacularly unsuccessful ministry. Jeremiah wrestles with confusion and frustration in his prayers. Despite his bruises, Jeremiah continues to speak up for justice in Jerusalem.

Watch today’s video to learn about the radical justice God requires of his people.

Reflection Questions

• Look back at Jeremiah 7:30-31. What were the Israelites doing in the Valley of Ben Hinnom? Why do you think Yahweh told Jeremiah to do his prophetic pot-smashing in that specific place?
• Read Leviticus 19:33-34, Exodus 23:9, and Proverbs 31:8-9. Who was vulnerable and mistreated in Israel’s society? What does God instruct Israel to do for the vulnerable and why? According to Jeremiah, what were the people of Judah doing instead?