Jeremiah 18:4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
“Reshaped Jar”
The art of pottery involves ‘kneading’, ‘shaping’ and ‘firing’ ordinary clay into durable hard ceramic pots, jars and utensils. The kneading process removes air bubbles, stones or dirt and brings the clay to a pliable texture. The second step is to shape the clay on a wheel and the final stage is firing. Firing hardens the clay and makes it water resistant. Clay has the potential to become a useful vessel, but only when it is put through the process, does it become valuable.
“The shaping process makes the clay into a functional and valuable jar”.
Jacob went through the kneading, forming and firing process in the house of Laban, his uncle. He was given a taste of his own medicine when his uncle cheated him. Jacob was promised Rachel the second daughter but was given the first one, Leah, instead. He had to work another 7 years to marry the love of his life, Rachel. Jacob himself says that Laban changed his wages 10 times over a period of 20 years (Genesis 31:7). Jacob was like marred clay but the reshaping on the wheel, and refining in the fire, reformed him into Israel.
The Reshaped Jar:
- Flexibility: Hard, stubborn and dry clay cannot be reshaped. So unless we are flexible and pliable, humble and obedient, God will not be able to reform, reshape or renew us. Be flexible.
- Formation: Jacob, like a snake-oil salesman, had the charisma to deceive people. He cheated his brother Esau of his birthright and blessings. Hence, God had to put him through the process of kneading in the wheel-throw to remove the misdoings, muck and malign from his bloodstream. Be patient; in the testing God is forming and forging our character.
- Firing: The fiery furnace transforms the soft clay into durable and hard ceramic. ‘Firing’ changed the DNA of Jacob’s thinking and talking. Perseverance during tough trials builds resilience, robustness and resistance. Be perseverant in the fiery furnace.
“Reshaping transforms clay into functional and faithful jars”.
Prayer: Father God, help me to be flexible in the wheel, patient in the formation and perseverant in the fiery furnace, to be reshaped for your purpose. Amen.
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