Scripture Reading : Jeremiah 18
Theme : Potter and Clay
Message of the Potter (1-17)
The main point of this object lesson is to show that the potter, God, has power over the clay. The clay cannot control or manipulate the potter, so Israel cannot control or manipulate God but must humbly submit to God. If they do not, God will not bless them but will bring disaster up them. He has to right to reject defective, sinful people, just as the potter can reject defective clay (Rom. 9:21). The snow of Lebanon and the mountain water are dependable but Israel is fickle and unnaturally goes after worthless idols; therefore God will scatter them. God still tries to reach out to some who have not completely rejected Him. In the Messianic Kingdom, God will make Israel right to fulfill His purpose. Until then, all defective, sinful Jews will be rejected.
Plot against Jeremiah (18-23).
Jeremiah is faithful and loving to his people by praying for them, but they repay him evil for good. Some Jews do not just hate Jeremiah, but try to kill him. Ultimately they hate God and wish to kill Him like the Pharisees wish to kill Jesus. Such outrageous sins done in full knowledge are unforgiveable; therefore Jeremiah calls upon God to deliver justice by destroying them. This is not a vindictive cry for personal revenge, but appeal for God’s justice (Ps. 139:21).
Praying the Scripture
Those who reject God are defective clay that will be rejected by Him. When God judges them, they will have no power over God’s sovereign, righteous judgement. The end for them will be ugly and horrific. Those who want to kill God’s people will have the most severe punishment. Such people will experience the full force of God’s wrath as a consuming fire (1 Cor. 3:17). In light of God’s great wrath against sin, we need to praise God for our great salvation. Our destination would be the same as these Jews if it were not for the grace of God in Jesus. The only hope for these Jews and for everyone is the promised Messiah. Pray that you will appreciate your amazing salvation in Jesus. Praise God for delivering you from eternal hell fire (Rom. 9:22-23).
经文：耶利米书18
主题：窑匠与泥
关于窑匠的信息（1-17）。这段鉴戒的重点是展示窑匠，即神的能力远超过泥。泥不能控制或操纵窑匠；同样的，以色列不能控制或操纵神，乃要谦卑地顺服于神。如果他们拒绝，神将不会祝福他们，而是降下祸害。祂也有权柄拒绝那有缺陷与有罪的人，就好比窑匠可以丢弃烂泥一样（罗9:21）。黎巴嫩的雪与从远处流下的山水是可靠的，但以色列却是易变的，蓄意地跟随虚无的偶像，因此神将他们分散各处。神依然尝试向一部分尚未完全拒绝祂的人招手。在弥赛亚国度里，神将会使以色列归回正路，以完成祂的旨意。直到那时，所有缺陷的，有罪的犹太人都将被丢弃。
针对耶利米的计谋（18-23）。耶利米对其百姓忠实，深爱他们，常常为他们祷告，可但他们却以恶报善。部分犹太人不仅恨恶他，还图谋加害先知。最终，他们恨恶的是神并希望杀害祂，就像法利赛人希望杀害耶稣一样。他们充分地理解自己的所为，蓄意犯下滔天大罪；这样的罪是不可饶恕的。因此，耶利米祈求神惩罚百姓以申彰公义。这并不是为个人仇恨发出的怀恨之呼喊，而是呼求神施行公义（诗139:21）。
用经文祷告
那些拒绝神的人好比有缺陷的泥一样，将被祂丢弃。当神审判他们时，他们将没有能力胜过神主权性的公义审判。他们的结局将会是丑陋并可怕的。那些试图杀害神的百姓之人将会受到最严厉的刑罚。这些人将会经历神如火一般的全力忿怒（林前3:17）。根据神对罪恶的巨大忿怒，我们必须赞美神赐予我们的大救恩。若不是神在基督里的恩典，我们的结局也将与这些犹太人相同。对于这些犹太人与每一个人，被应许的弥赛亚是他们唯一的希望。祷告你会因耶稣奇妙的救赎而感恩。要为到祂救你脱离永恒的地狱之火赞美祂（罗9:22-23）。
