THE POTTER’S PRINCIPLE

“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! – Jeremiah 18:6

The Potter’s Principle is that God is in absolute Control. He is the ‘Potter’; we are “the clay.’ Jeremiah was invited to go to the Potter’s House and witness a live parable (vv.1-17). What the prophet saw is described in verses 1-4 and what he heard is contained in verses 5-10. The potter noticed a defect in the clay, and decided to squash it and start all over again. The Lord informed Jeremiah that He is the divine Potter and would soon remold the sinfully marred vessel, Judah.

The expression “so are you in My hand” is a claim of sovereignty, ability, and power (v.6). The parable is a metaphor for God’s absolute sovereignty over His people! Just as the potter exercises his will over the lump of clay, God exercises His will over us, by His sovereignty, and for our benefit and blessing. As Sovereign God, He has the right to save or condemn as He chooses, yet He does neither in a way that is inconsistent with His character or His revelation. God is not a tyrant or monster who randomly chooses to save or to destroy. He will not act in a way that is unreasonable, unrighteous, impulsive or dictatorial. Even so, we as marred and imperfect vessels are really not in any position to query His righteousness!

God has the power to do as He pleases; to save or to condemn. He has total power over His people, holding us in His hand like the potter holds the clay. He has the right and power to establish laws that decide our direction and destiny, and to pronounce judgement on a people if they reject Him in their lives. The notion of referring to an individual as “a self-made man” or “a self-made woman” is thus a reflection of worldly folly. When people make such boastful claim, they are saying that “everything they are, have, and have become” is the result of their own human efforts. The truth is that we can no more “make ourselves” into anything than “a lump of clay” can make anything of itself.

Like Israel of old, it is when people try to be “The Potter” of their own lives that they stumble and get themselves in trouble (Jer.18:15). We all have accumulated some flaws and scars along life’s path, and our biggest blunders and failures in life most likely came at the times when we tried to be in control; when we tried to be our own “Potter.” Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV) says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” You must never forget that you are not our own, for you are bought with a price: “therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit” (1Cor.6:19-20). God wants you to trust Him with your life and all. By submitting to His will, He will mold, shape, and process you into the very best you can be!