THE POTTER’S TOUCHPart Two

Jeremiah 18:1-6PREPARING THE CLAY FOR THE FIRE

Before the potter began to shape a vessel he had to prepare

the clay for use.

The pressure of the potter’s hands was not the only factor in

producing a useable vessel.

The quality of the clay was of extreme importance.

The potter had a choice of different grades of clay to choose

from.

Knowing this the potter spent much time selecting and

preparing the clay.

Definition of the clay found in Palestine:

The clay in Palestine was an earthy substance of varying

chemical composition, containing fine sand, gravel, or foreign

animal and vegetable matter.

Let’s take a look at seven steps the clay must go through

before the clay was ready for use.

Seven steps in preparing the clay1. First the clay must be dug from the ground, and

separatedDigging the clay out is a type of the ministry of the evangelist.

The clay which has been dug out is a type of the believer

coming to Jesus, and being separated from the world.

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NLT) Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

There is no thrill in pottery making quite equal to the thrill of digging your own clay, and preparing it for use, and making something from it.

Digging out your own clay reminds me of the thrill I get when I lead someone to Christ.

Jude 1:23a (NLT) Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment.

2. After the clay had been dug out, it was spread out in the bright sun to dry

The first thing God wants new believers to do after being born

again is bath in the presence of the Son.

When a person gives their life to Jesus, the first thing they

need to experience is God’s love by bathing in the Son.

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When the clay was thoroughly dry, the large lumps of clay

would be pounded into smaller pieces with a mallet or a block

of wood.

After the clay was pounded into smaller pieces it was made

into what is called a slip by sifting it into a pail of water to

soak.

3. The soaking processHere the clay was allowed to soak for several hours in water

to soften.

It’s advisable to use twice the amount of water as clay, so the

clay will become liquid, which makes it easier to screen.

The first thing God wants new believers to do is take a good

soaking in His word.

The clay soaking in the water is a type of the believer

meditating in God’s word.

Joshua 1:8 (MSG) And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.

4. The washing and sifting processIn the washing and sifting process, the clay was washed and

purified by sifting it through a series of vats on descending

levels.3

This is a type of the believer being washed by the water of the word.Ephesians 5:26 (BBE) So that he might make it holy, having made it clean with the washing of water by the word.

The sifting process removes small rocks and other unwanted

debris which could contaminate the clay.

Spiritually speaking this is a type of separating truth from

falsehoods.

Here God removes things that will hurt our service as vessels.

God does this through teaching and preaching of His word.

The finest clay was secured by straining the contents of the

lowest vat through cloth.

The usable clay came from the lower vats which is a type of spiritual humility1 Peter 5:5-6 (NLT) In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

The purified clay was then weathered by being spread out on

a nearby hillside on a warm day.

This is a type of soul rest in the process of spiritual growth as

God deepens our love and commitment for Him.

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The first thing God did after He created man was give him rest

and instructions to keep from getting himself killed.

5. Then the clay went through the treading processIn the treading process the purified and weathered clay was

made flexible and softened by the long treading with the feet

and by mixing it with water.

Isaiah 41:25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall

come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name:

and he shall come upon princes as upon mortar, and as the

potter treadeth clay.”

The treading process is a part of the early stages of growing up spiritually.The treading process is a type of the four reasons God has

given us His word found in second Timothy 3:16.2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for (1) doctrine, for (2) reproof, for (3) correction, for (4) instruction in righteousness:

6. Adding additives to the clay

Sometime additives such as ground limestone were added to the clay to enable the completed earth ware to withstand heat better, and be used for cooking.

This is a type of receiving the Holy Spirit.

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Acts 2:3-4 (KJV) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

7. The last step removes air bubbles and any small rocks that may have been misseda. The potter would toss the clay in the air in an effort to

remove air bubbles from the clay.

b. Then he would roll it together and investigate it with a tin

wire for any air bubbles which were missed.

c. Then the potter would knead the clay for several hours with

his hands in a last effort to remove any air bubbles which were

stubborn and didn’t want to come.

While kneading the clay the potter was also careful to remove

any small rocks that may have been missed.

This is a type of the teaching of God’s word.The Scriptures teach us to beware because it’s the little foxes

which destroy the vines.

With wonderful dexterity a practiced touch, and a keen eye,

the potter worked until the clay reached a point of yielding and

submission.

The potter knows when the clay is ready for use; His delicate

touch informs Him concerning the progress of the clay.6

Now the clay is ready for use.The clay was then placed on the center of the potter’s wheel to be shaped into a vessel.The clay must be placed perfectly in the center of the wheel

for shaping, or the process will be hindered because of the

lopsided motion of the clay on the wheel.

This is a type of the believer walking in the center of God’s

will.

Romans 12:2 (KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

This takes a learned skill, as the clay is forcefully thrown to the

center of the wheel.

Once the clay has been placed on the potter’s wheel the

constant circler motion of the wheel assist the potter in

shaping our lives.

The circler motion of the wheel is a type of the children of

Israel wondering in the wilderness.

The circler motion of the wheel is a type of the believers

learning humility and God showing us what’s in our heart.

God uses the circumstances of life to show us where we stand

and how we are positioned in Him.7

The circler motion of the wheel is a type of God developing

our character.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (NLT) Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

After the vessel had been shaped it was ready to go through

the drying process.

Early potters followed a two step drying process:Here the no longer needed water is removed from the clay.

a. The clay was set in the sun to dry until about thirty percent

of the water evaporated from it as it became hard.

b. Then it was put into the furnace to remove the remaining

seventy percent.

This is a type of the believer graduating from the fundamental doctrines of Christ and going on to maturity.Hebrews 6:1 (Message Bible) So come on, let's leave the preschool finger-painting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on "salvation by self-help" and turning in trust toward God;

After the first phase of the drying process had been completed the clay moved on to the second phase.

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The second phase of the drying process was called the water smoking period, during which atmospheric water is driven out of the clay.

When the vessel is placed in the furnace the reaming seventy percent of the water was driven out.

As this takes place the potter sees steam coming from the furnace as the water vaporizes, this is where it get the name water smoking process.

This must be done slowly to avoid cracking.

How does the potter know when all the water has been removed?

He will see no more water vapors coming from the furnace.

How do I know when all the water is removed from you as a vessel and you are ready for the meat of mature believers?

How do I know when you have graduated from the fundamental principles of the doctrine?

I will see no more water vapors coming from your spiritual furnace of life.

I will see you acting in a mature and responsible manner, on a continual bases, concerning life in general and spiritual matters.

Once the remaining water has been driven out the clay the heat can be turned up and the firing process continues.

This is a type of the fiery test and trail we go through in life.

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1 Peter 4:12 (King James) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

Benefits of the firing processIn the firing process the clay is harden.

The discovery that fire hardens clay was made many thousands of years ago in different areas of the world.It is believed our forefathers stumbled on the benefits of the

firing process by accident.

They found out by putting the clay through a firing process it

hardened it and made it more durable.

Perhaps a straw basket lined with clay to hold water fell in a

fire, and after the straw had burned away it left a shell of

harden clay that was somewhat durable and waterproof.

Thus one of mankind’s oldest sciences was born.

Later it was discovered the more intense the heat of the

furnace the clay was fired in the harder and more durable the

vessel became.

This is a type of the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace being harden for serviceThe test and trails of life prove our faith.

1 Peter 1:7 (NCV) These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which

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can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is shown to you.

The intense heat of the furnace continued to draw the water

out the vessel until it shrank and lost eight percent of its

original size.

This is a type of the believer’s life being hid in Christ.The potter, however, could not uniformly follow the same

routine to dry and fire the clay.

Different temperatures were needed to fire the different kinds

of clay, thus exposing the quality and colors of each of them.

This is a type of God not putting more on us than we can bear.John 16:12 (NLT) There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.

The firing technique was the ultimate gift of the early potter.

This step required special attention it was critical to the

outcome of every vessel.

The firing technique of the potter was kept secret.There are some things about the test and trails God allows us

to go through in life we may never understand.

Why some things happen the way they do only God knows.

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The cooling process

The cooling process is just as important as the firing process; the vessel stands the chance of cracking in both of them.

The cooling process is a type of how the believer reacts after coming out of the fiery test and trails life brings our way.

This is a type of the fiery test and trails life brings our way.

When a vessel cracks some are more obvious than others.

Large cracks are quite obvious but smaller one requires a trained eye.

When a vessel cracks it happens during the firing or the

cooling process.

It’s important that the potter know which one the crack

occurred.

By knowing which part of the process the vessel cracked it

helped the potter determine what he needed to do to repair

the vessel.

Each vessel bares the potter’s trademark.The trademark tells others who made it.

This is a type of the identifying with Christ

The work of the potter is much like the work of God in our life.

We are undeveloped material in need of the never-ending

supply of the water of God’s Word.

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There are possibilities in us yet to be realized but as we yield

our lives to God, the Master’s touch can bring them forth.

The subjects of the potter and the clay are frequent metaphors

in the Word of God.

The potter’s skill at fashioning, shaping, and molding are

recurring word pictures of God’s ability to make us into

something useful.

PROPHETIC OBSERVATION OF THE WORD OF THE LORD TO JEREMIAHJeremiah 18:4 “And the vessel he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel.”God, in his great redemption plan, made provision for those who fail.If you fell short and missed the mark in some area of your life, know God loves you and wants to make you over again another vessel to His glory.Just as the potter follows certain steps to prepare the clay for

a beautiful vessel, God likewise follows certain steps in

preparing His children for the ministry He has called them to.

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MAKE ME A NEW VESSELJeremiah 18:4 (KJV) 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.

The New Testament speaks frequently about the process of

being made new in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB) When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

THE POTTER’S HAND OF PRESSUREThe potter creates and shapes by applying pressure to the

clay, but it’s a sensitive, tender pressure.

Many years at his task have sensitized him with a skilled

touch.

He feels the clay and knows as he works it, how much

pressure is needed.

THE POSITIVE PRESSURE OF GODWhen God allows the pressure of circumstances to enter our

lives it’s not usually enjoyed at the moment.

Never the less it’s a part of growing up spiritually.

Hebrews 12:11 (NLT) No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

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The hands of the potter God applying pressure on our lives is

what changes us, without it we cannot change.

The maturing person is not adverse to pressure.

Pressures enable us to learn how to live with the opposing

pushes and pulls of lives.

Learn to be grateful and expect God’s hands pressure in your

life.

Learn to yield to the creative forces he brings to shape our

lives.

THE SEVEN VESSELS OF GOD1. The Vessel of Honor 5. The Vessel of Dishonor

2. The Vessel of Mercy 6. The Broken Vessel

3. The Chosen Vessel 7. The Vessel of Wrath

4. The Clean Vessel

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