Destroy or Build and Plant

O. T. #1769  "Destroy or Build and Plant"
Sept. 2, 2020
Jeremiah 18-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

We last studied about Jeremiah going down to the potter's house. He saw the potter molding the clay into a jar, but it became flawed. So he remade the jar; as it seemed right for him to do. (verse 4) The potter had the right to make whatever he chose from his clay, a do over with the same clay or throw it away.

In the Hebrew language, the word potter means to mold into a form; frame; purpose.

This illustrated that God has the right to save or destroy any individual or nation, since He is their Creator and Potter. He can remake any vessel as it seems right to Him, to send blessing or doom. An example was the Ninevites repenting of their sins when Jonah finally preaching to them.

Jeremiah was sent by God to deliver His message of repentance and spell out the options to Judah. However, God warned him ahead of time what the response of the people would be-rejection. (chapter 12).

LET IT GROW

And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it. (verses 7 and 9)

God had the right to remold His people. In His sovereignty He could:

• pluck (to tear down; forsake) up what He planted;
• pull (tear, beat, break, or throw down) down what He built;
• destroy (perish, break);
• or build,
• and plant.

Judah still had the responsibility of choosing righteousness, turn from their evil, or sin, doing evil. Judah would be the nation that would be molded by the Exile. God would rebuild and replant them again. And Judah would worship the Only True Living God, then.

Sin is the great mischief-maker between God and a people; it forfeits the benefit of His promises and spoils the success of their prayers. It defeats His kind intentions concerning them and baffles their pleasing expectations from Him. It ruins their comforts, prolongs their grievances, brings them into straits, and retards their deliverances (Is. 59:1-2).

Time and again we have seen families destroyed by sin. It comes with such a high price-reputation and trust. But God will forgive our sins. He will rebuild and plant good things in our lives after we repent.
We must continue to pray for our nation and her sins, interceding for others.

LET IT GO
Jesus has overcome sin. We must turn to Him for strength to resist temptations.