Jeremiah

In the Potter’s Workshop

This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah:

“Go to the potter’s house, and there you will hear what I have to say.”

So I visited the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel.

But the pot he was working on was spoiled in his hands, so he reworked it all over again into another pot that suited his desire.

Meanwhile, the Lord sent me his word:

“People of Israel, can’t I do with you what this potter does? As clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hands.

Sometimes I warn a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot or destroy it.

But if they change their ways, I will then relent and stop doing the harm I had planned.

At other times, I declare that a nation or kingdom will be established and rooted,

But then they do what displeases me and refuse to listen, so I decided to undo the good deeds I planned to do.”

And the Lord added: “Now tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem: The Lord says to you: ‘Listen, I am a potter planning to destroy you, and devising a plot against you! Turn from your evil ways; correct your conduct and your deeds.’

But you reply: ‘It’s no use! We will follow our own plans,’ and each one continues to obey his stubborn heart.”

Because of this, the Lord has to say: Ask among the nations: ‘Has anyone ever heard of something like this? The Virgin Israel has committed a most heinous act.

Do the snow of Lebanon ever leave the rocky heights of the field? Do the fresh waters of great rivers ever run dry?

Yet my people have forgotten me, offering incense to empty idols that have caused them to stumble on their way as they departed from the ancient paths. Now they have gone down the wrong road, the crooked way that leads nowhere.

Their land will be left deserted and become an everlasting mockery. Everyone who passes by will be amazed and shake their heads.

Like the wind blowing from the east, I will scatter them before their enemies; I will turn my back to them, not my face, on the day of their disaster!

Jeremiah’s Confessions: Persecution

Then, they said: “Come, let us plot against Jeremiah, for even without him, there will be priests to interpret the teachings of the law; there will always be wise men to give counsel and prophets to proclaim the word. Come, let us accuse him and strike him down instead of listening to what he says.”

Hear me, O Lord! Listen to what my accusers are saying.

Is evil the reward for doing good? Why do they dig a grave for me? Remember how I stood before you to speak well on their behalf so that your anger might subside.

Now let their children starve; Hand them over to the sword! Let their wives become childless and widows! Let their men fall victim to the plague and their young men be killed in battle!

Let cries be heard in their houses when you suddenly bring bandits against them, for they have dug a pit to trap me and hidden snares to catch my feet.

O Lord, you know all their plots to take my life! Forgive not their crime; forget not their sin; crush them on the day of your anger.