SEV Biblia, Chapter 18:6
¿Por ventura no podré yo hacer de vosotros como este alfarero, oh Casa de Israel, dice el SEÑOR? He aquí que como el barro en la mano del alfarero, así sois vosotros en mi mano, oh Casa de Israel.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 18:6
Verse 6. Cannot I do with you as this potter?] Have I not a right to do with a people whom I have created as reason and justice may require? If they do not answer my intentions, may I not reject and destroy them; and act as this potter, make a new vessel out of that which at first did not succeed in his hands? It is generally supposed that St. Paul has made a very different use of this similitude from that mentioned above. See Rom. ix. 20, &c. His words are, "Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" To this every sensible and pious man will answer, Undoubtedly he has. But would any potter make an exceedingly fair and good vessel on purpose to dash it to pieces when he had done? Surely no! And would or could, the God of infinite perfection and love make millions of immortal souls on purpose for eternal perdition, as the horrible decree of reprobation states? No! This is a lie against all the attributes of God. But does not the text state that he can, out of the same lump, the same mass of human nature, make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour? Yes. But the text does not say, what the horrible decree says, that he makes one part, and indeed the greater, for eternal perdition. But what then is the meaning of the text? Why evidently this: As out of the same mass of clay a potter may make a flagon for the table and a certain utensil for the chamber, the one for a more honourable, the other for a less honourable use, though both equally necessary to the owner; so God, out of the same flesh and blood, may make the tiller of the field and the prophet of the Most High; the one in a more honourable, the other in a less honourable employ; yet both equally necessary in the world, and equally capable of bringing glory to God in their respective places. But if the vessel be marred in his hand, under his providential and gracious dealings, he may reject it as he did the Jews, and make another vessel, such as he is pleased with, of the Gentiles; yet even these marred vessels, the reprobate Jews, are not finally rejected; for all Israel shall be saved in (through) the Lord, i.e., Jesus Christ. And should the Gentiles act as the Jews have done, then they also shall be cut off, and God will call his Church by another name. See on Romans ix. 22 and below.
Matthew Henry Commentary
God's power over his creatures is represented by the potter. (Jer 18:1-10) The Jews exhorted to repentance, and judgments foretold. (Jer 18:11-17) The prophet appeals to God. (Jer. 18:18-23) Jer. 18:1-10 While Jeremiah looks upon the potter's work, God dart into his mind two great truths. God has authority, and power, to for and fashion kingdoms and nations as he pleases. He may dispose of us a he thinks fit; and it would be as absurd for us to dispute this, as for the clay to quarrel with the potter. But he always goes by fixed rule of justice and goodness. When God is coming against us in judgments, we may be sure it is for our sins; but sincere conversion from the evil of sin will prevent the evil of punishment, as to persons, and to families, and nations.
Jer. 18:11-17 Sinners call it liberty to live at large; whereas for man to be a slave to his lusts, is the very worst slavery. They forsoo God for idols. When men are parched with heat, and meet with cooling refreshing streams, they use them. In these things men will not leave certainty for an uncertainty; but Israel left the ancient path appointed by the Divine law. They walked not in the highway, in whic they might travel safely, but in a way in which they must stumble: suc was the way of idolatry, and such is the way of iniquity. This mad their land desolate, and themselves miserable. Calamities may be borne if God smile upon us when under them; but if he is displeased, an refuses his help, we are undone. Multitudes forget the Lord and his Christ, and wander from the ancient paths, to walk in ways of their ow devising. But what will they do in the day of judgment!
Jer. 18:18-23 When the prophet called to repentance, instead of obeyin the call, the people devised devices against him. Thus do sinners dea with the great Intercessor, crucifying him afresh, and speaking agains him on earth, while his blood is speaking for them in heaven. But the prophet had done his duty to them; and the same will be our rejoicin in a day of evil __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
הכיוצר 3335 הזה 2088 לא 3808 אוכל 3201 לעשׂות 6213 לכם בית 1004 ישׂראל 3478 נאם 5002 יהוה 3068 הנה 2009 כחמר 2563 ביד 3027 היוצר 3335 כן 3651 אתם 859 בידי 3027 בית 1004 ישׂראל׃ 3478
