Jeremiah 18

[jmwhalen]

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4

________________________________________________________________________________

"And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it." Jeremiah 18:4

"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel...." Acts 9:15

________________________________________________________________________________

When the LORD God instructed Jeremiah by sending him to "...the to the potter's house...."(Jer. 18:2), it was to teach him, and us, a magnificant eternal principle: The LORD would never MEND that which man had marred, but would "start over", "put an end to that which was marred". Here, the LORD would not of "marred" Israel mend the nation. He would make a "new" nation, a "new" Israel. He would put a new spirit in them, and write His law in their hearts(Ch. 18, 31:31-37, Ez. 11:19, 36:26). And notice that it would be the same clay("...made it again...."-18:4), but new. Please consider these spiritual applications we can glean from the "Old Testament" "for our learning":

1. "But the heavens and the earth, which are now...."(2 Peter 3:7) are under a curse(Gen. 3:17, for eg.), "marred", if you will, so "...the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now"(Romans 8:22). Thus, the LORD would have us to know also that He will not "mend" this earth, He will make "...new heavens and a new earth....(2 Peter 3:13, Isaiah 65:17, Rev. 21:1, Matthew 19:28-"regeneration"), and of which the present earth will have a foretaste in the millenium blessings. "Secondary spiritual application: it is "in vain" for man to spend so much effort trying to "mend" this earth.

2. Man is "marred", is aliented from the life of God(Romans 5:12-21; Eph. 2:1-3;4:17-19). God will not "reform" or "mend" the "natural man", that is, those "in Adam", but He makes a "new creature"(2 Cor. 5:17), a "new man"(Eph. 4:24) in Christ and gives him a new nature and new Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Thus, those attempts to "improve the flesh"(whether it be by ritual, or by obeying some set of "rules") are in vain.

3.Regarding the kings of the earth attempting to set up the throne of David: The LORD God will not mend governmental thrones of the earth. Better government by human remedies, reforms, revolution, elections.....will fail-it is in vain. The "god of heaven" will "set up a kingdom"(Daniel 2:44, Ez. 21:27,Is. 32:1, Psalms 2:6)(An "aside": A kingdom is always set up by force. This is why I feel many Christians, in particular, those of "Dominion Now" bent, are misgided. That is, the Lord Jesus Christ will not come back until we Christians have conquered all his enemies for Him. This is manifested in the bringing of Christ into the secular realm by use of the political process, to change the laws governing education, public morality, etc. to make them to conform to the Bible="My will be done with the LORD's help". The Lord Jesus Christ will set up his literal, physical kingdom on earth, and He will be king. But He needs no help from us, and it will be done by force! And, in the meantime, the only thing that will change a man's behavior is the gospel of Christ, which we should be preaching! . Notice that the divine operation is "working from the inside out", the reverse of the Satanic mode, that is, "working from the outside to the inside-"the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life". And also notice that the Church, which is His "Body", is not set up-it is being "built"(1 Cor. 3:9, Eph. 2:21-22)). Uh-oh, did I open up the proverbial "can of worms" here?!

4. Our mortal bodies: no "mending": from Gen. 319, Ecl. 3:20, Heb. 9:27 to 2 Cor. 4:14-5:2, Philippians 3:20-21

[Adstar]

I cannot see a can of worms here.

I believe there is a big difference between promoting Gods will to government and trying to enforce Gods will through government.

That is, i do not believe in seeking to take over government to institute laws aimed at enforcing Gods will. But if government enacts a law against Gods will we are to bring to the peoples attention that it is against Gods will.

All praise The Ancient Of Days

[Guest YAHlover]

Very good post jmwahlen Refreshing!

Good word Adstar.

God be with you.