The potter’s job was generally not so difficult; pots and vessels of clay were simple creations, and he was good at it. So much so that, when God told Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house, he did not even specify which potter he had in mind, knowing Jeremiah would know exactly who he was talking about.
For his part, Jeremiah was already public enemy number one. He had been prophesying the fall of the nation due to their rebellion, which, naturally, did not endear him to many. So, when Jeremiah came knocking in Jeremiah 18, the potter had to be nervous to even be seen letting him in. Perhaps that explains the disaster that followed. This potter, expert in his craft, saw a vessel in progress ruined under his very hands.
At that point, he had a choice to make. Do I pack it in for the day? Do I maybe even decide to give up on pottery altogether? The choice he made became legendary, so much so that God used it as a picture of himself and his dealings with his people. The potter started over and remade a new vessel out of the old mess.
Not too long after, the most amazing thing happened. A public assembly was called, and Jeremiah the prophet began to address the people. He did so by pointing to the potter and telling everyone of the day that he went to the potter’s house, watched him work and watched him fail. He then told how the potter did not give up, choosing instead to press on and remake a brand-new vessel.
The man’s mess became a message, one we are still singing about even today each time the words “But He did not despair, He started over again, and I bless the day He didn’t throw the clay away” come across our grateful lips.