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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 18:1-10

The prophet is here sent to the potter's house (he knew where to find it), not to preach a sermon as before to the gates of Jerusalem, but to prepare a sermon, or rather to receive it ready prepared. Those needed not to study their sermons that had them, as he had this, by immediate inspiration. ?Go to the potter's house, and observe how he manages his work, and there I will cause thee, by silent whispers, to hear my words. There thou shalt receive a message, to be delivered to the people.?... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 18:7

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom ,.... By way of threatening: or, "the moment I shall speak" F19 רגע אדבר "momento loquor", Schmidt; "momento eloquor", Junius & Tremellius; "momento ut loquutus fuero", Tigurine version. , &c; as soon as ever I have declared concerning any people whatever, Jews or Gentiles; that if they go on in their sins, and remain impenitent, and do not turn from them, that they must expect I will quickly come... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 18:7-10

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, etc. - If that nation, against whom, etc. - And at what instant, etc. - If it do evil, etc. - These verses contain what may be called God's decree by which the whole of his conduct towards man is regulated. If he purpose destruction against an offending person, if that person repent and turn to God, he shall live and not die. If he purpose peace and salvation to him that walketh uprightly, if he turn from God to the world and sin, he shall... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 18:7

Verse 7 This is a fuller application of the Prophet’s doctrine; for he had said generally before, that the people were in God’s hand as the clay is in the hand of the potter; but he adds here what is more popular or comprehensive, — that all men are in the hand of God, so that he now favors one nation with his blessing, and then deprives them of it, and that he raises up those whom he had previously brought low. I have said that this part of the doctrine is more popular or comprehensive, for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 18:1-10

The potter and the clay. The revelations of God are often given in unlikely places, and common circumstances and scenes may symbolize the divinest mysteries. The profoundest things in God's universe are side by side with the simplest. If the mind be open and the spirit susceptible we shall see God in everything. Is there not a fitness in this ancient handicraft of the potter becoming the symbol of the eternal action of God? The potter's clay suggests— I. THE INFLUENCE OF GOD ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 18:1-10

The blessed parable of the potter and the clay. Few passages of Scripture have been more misread or with sadder results than this one. From St. Paul s reference to it in Romans 9:1-33 it has been thought that it taught the absolute sovereignty of God, his right to dispose of men as he pleases; that, in the exercise of that sovereignty, he makes some vessels unto destruction, and that the vessels so made have no ground of complaint whatsoever. Now, we affirm that, whilst there is much... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 18:1-10

The clay in the potter's hand. I. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION . It is a practical illustration in the most suggestive sense of the word "practical." Jeremiah had not to go out of his way to produce a sufficiently impressive figure of what God was about to do. He had to go through a very peculiar and protracted experience to bring out the lesson of the marred girdle. But here he has only to go down to the potter at his wheel, a thing he could do at any time; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 18:7-8

At what instant , etc.; rather, One instant I may speak … but if that nation , against which 1 have spoken , turn from their evil , I repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them . A similar rendering for the next verse. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 18:7-10

God's action determined by man's conduct. These verses may be read as balancing those that precede. The illustration of the potter at his work shows us simply the Divine side of life. The following verses take us round to the human side, and the human conditions in accordance with which God exercises the rights and power of his absolute sovereignty. I. GOD DETERMINES HIS ACTION ACCORDING TO THE CONDUCT OF MAN . He does not act blindly, inconsiderately, on. general... read more

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