The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 453

.HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1, 2, 10, 11.-The breaking of the potter's vessel. Another symbolic action, but in this case the revelation to the mind of the prophet was not dependent upon its being performed. It is because of the public siguificance of it he is enjoined to perform it.. 'l'he "elders of the priests" and the "elders of the people" are invited to the scene. L THE SYMBOL. This was a "potter's earthen bottle [or 'vessel']," and thus had to be carefully distinguished from, the "clay" spoken of in eh. xvjii. The la.lter is soft and unshaped, and may be moulded as the potter wishes; but the vessel is already formed and hardened into a certain definite shape, which it is impossible materially to alter. As that represented the stuff or material of which nations and institutions could be made, this must stand for the Jewish nation, with its character historically matured and fixed. Jehovah had already given it the form he intended it to assume, and placed it in certain relations with himself as a theocracy. The h~toric institutions and nations of the woi·ld are the creatioT!, of God, He has raised them up and con- •r'.llled the forces that moulded and determiQ.cd their specific character and work. 11 The po1vers that be. are ordained of God." The position, character, and life of individual men are also his worl,. No man is "self-made" in any fundamental sense of the w9rd. .A graciou11 proyidenc;e bas nurtured and cared for him; and, it may be, saving grace has redeemed a.nd sanctified him. He "is the noblest work of God." . II. THE . ACTION. This was threefold, viz: 1. The vessel was bouql.t. "Get ; " literally, "buy." Jehovah had redeemed Israel to be a people for himself. 'l'he outlays of Divine love and mercy are suggested. 'l'he providence and grace of God are now boing expended. The blood of Christ was shed for all nations, "the Jew first, and afterwards the Gentile;" and for every man born into the world. "Ye are not your own: ye nre bought with a pri~e." A deeper obligation is thereby incurred to him, and e. grander authority on his pa.rt ju&tified. We are all ro:\de and saved, or, us it may bo expressed, made and remade by him. 2. It u;as probably poured out. Ver. 7, "I will make void [literally, 'pour out']." This action would be natural under the circumstances, and highly impressive. Aud if it be objected that the vessel we.s empty, that very fact might still render the action the more emphatically significant. Their counsels were also vain and empty. God suffers wicked nations and men to devise evil, but only 11s it work11 out his own ends is it allowed to be executed. Ho will bring to naught the counsel of the ungodly. That which is devised without his blessing will coJne to no successful issue. 3. lt was brolcen. (Ver.10.) This was intencl.cd to depict the oxtrcme and final cha.meter of the impending judgment-" As ono breakcth o. J)Otter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again" (ver. 11). The nationality of tho Jews was to be destroyed. The Dabylouion captivity, although only obscurely pre- dicted, is apparently alluded to; but some hold that, as this was but an incomplete fulfilment, the Roman conquest must have been meant. All nations and individuals al'6 on their trial, an<l. may be subjcctc<l. to this extreme penalty. God holds the sovereign 1.owcr in his ow11 hau<l.. 'l'hL·ro is no romc<l.y; the past is irrevuc,\blc. And 460 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH, [on, nx.1-15.