Jeremiah 18:7-9

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 18:8

If that nation against whom I have pronounced ,.... Such a sentence as this, should immediately, upon the above declaration, do as Nineveh did: turn from their evil ; their evil of sin, their evil ways and works, as an evidence of the truth of their repentance for former sins: I will repent of the evil that one thought to do unto them ; as they change their course of life, God will change the dispensations of his providence towards them, and not bring upon them the evil of punishment... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 18:9

And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom ,.... By way of promise on the other hand: or, "and the moment I shall speak", &c.; as in Jeremiah 18:7 ; in favour to a people; signifying, that if they do that which is right and good, and continue therein, it may be expected that I will appear for and among such a nation and kingdom: to build and to plant it ; to build up its fences that have been broken down, and to plant it with pleasant... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 18:8

Verse 8 But the Prophet speaks first of punishment; Suddenly, he says, will I speak of a nation and of a kingdom, to pull down, to extirpate and to destroy; that is, even they who seem far from all danger shall find that they are exposed to my judgment. But if a nation, he says, turns from its wickedness, against whom I have spoken, then I will repent of the evil, etc. The Prophet no doubt intended to shut up the mouths of the Jews, who, as we have before seen, continually contended with God;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 18:9

Verse 9 On the other hand, he affirms, that the lost are restored, when the Lord speaks suddenly, of a nation and of a kingdom, to build and to plant; as though it was said, — “I will not only forgive, but I am ready to bestow blessings on those whom I had previously rejected as mine enemies.” Then God amplifies his goodness when he says, that he will not only forgive the sins of men, so as freely to pardon them, but that he is ready to bestow on them all kinds of blessings, if they seek to be... 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

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