Jeremiah 18

Jeremiah 18
1-11 The Potter and the Clay

• Per God's instructions, Jeremiah goes to the potter's house and watches him rework a spoiled vessel of clay.
• God tells Jeremiah the house of Israel is his vessel of clay.
• He may rework a nation he has promised to destroy, if that nation repents.
• He may destroy a nation he has promised to build, if it turns to evil.

12-17 Israel's Stubborn Idolatry

• But they say it makes no difference; they will follow their own plans.

13-14 Thus says the LORD: Who has heard of such a thing? It's like snow leaving the mountains.
15 My people have forgotten me, burning offerings to a delusion.
16 They've made their land a horror, a hiss and a byword.
17 "I will show them my back, not my face."

18-23 A Plot against Jeremiah

• The people plot to accuse Jeremiah; they prefer the counsel of others.

19-20 Jeremiah prays to God: Should I receive evil for doing good? Remember how I defended them before you?
21-23 No more: Now I ask that they suffer from famine, from the sword, from pestilence and war. Do not forgive their iniquity. God had instructed Jeremiah not to pray on Judah's behalf (14:11); now that Jeremiah's received personal attacks, he echoes God's wrath on the people.