Divine Potter

Romans 9:20–21 CSB

On the contrary, who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” Or has the potter no right over the clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?

This next reference is more of a summary than a direct quote. We see the potter reference throughout the book of Isaiah 29:13-21, 45:1-13, 64. We also see a similar reference in Jeremiah 18:1-12. Paul used this similar imagery in 2 Timothy 2:20.

In the Isaiah 29:13-21 Israel had gone astray. They were not following God. As a result they were in rebellion against God. The clay speaking against the potter is a ironic metaphor in this case. They were being disobedient against God. In this sense they were making themselves equal to God as if God was not their maker. This metaphor is describing Israel’s rejection of God. It also is referencing the nation not individuals. As a people they have rejected God.

The context of the next section Isaiah 45:1-13 is a divine letter to a future king. King Cyrus was the instrument God used to restore the people of Israel. God used Isaiah’s prophetic role to write out His intentions. This “letter” to Cyrus starts in the previous chapter where God says Isaiah 44:28 “who says to Cyrus, “My shepherd, he will fulfill all my pleasure” and says to Jerusalem, “She will be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Its foundation will be laid.””

The reason I refer to this as a divine letter is that the prophecy occured about 140 years before Cyrus came to power and about 160 years before the events the prophecy describes. Further it is written by the historian Josephus that this section of Isaiah was shared with Cyrus and was the motivation for Cyrus’ decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2-4).

The Works of Josephus: New Updated Edition Chapter 1: How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews out of Babylon, and Suffered Them to Return to Their Own Country, and to Build Their Temple; for Which Work He Gave Them Money

This was known to Cyrus by his reading the book which Isaiah left behind him of his prophecies

Imagine reading a scroll that mentions you and your circumstances specifically and that this scroll was written 160 years before you read it.

Back to the potter metaphor. Leading up to the Potter statement God (Isaiah 45:9) is declaring His authority as the creator of the universe through the Prophet Isaiah. Then what follows is more of the same sentiment. God is using this metaphor to describe His authority as the maker of all things. In Isaiah 45:10 we also see that this potter metaphor is describing the creation of Israel as a nation. He continues on describing His authority up to verse 13. Then the message changes to focus on Israel’s salvation. On verse in particular stands out to me.

Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other.”

Over and over again the Bible proclaims that to be saved it requires turning to God. This only makes sense in my estimation if that choice is meaningful. If that is not a meaningful choice then it is not sincere faith. When God arbitrarily chooses who will be saved and who will be condemned that means that turning is not really a meaningful choice. It is simply the fulfillment of God’s choice to save or not save.

In Isaiah 64:8-12 we see again that the potter clay picture is being used to describe the nation of Israel. We (plural) are the clay (singular). The only way for this statement to be true is to understand it to mean We (people making up the nation of Israel) are the clay (the nation that God is molding). “All of us are your people.” Does this mean that all are saved who are of Israel? Of course not! Yet all are part of God’s elect for the purposes that God has set forth for the nation of Israel. That is to be the Covenant of the Law, Nation of priests, and the seed of salvation.

In Isaiah 65 we see God’s response. There is a lot there and perhaps in a future post we can explore it in greater depth. But I want to point out a couple of observations. God says that Israel has not sought God, and that they have rejected God. As a result they will face judgement. However starting with Isaiah 65:8 we see there is a subset of Israel that God is going to preserve and bless. Who are these people? “Those who have sought me (God).” Isaiah 65:10. Literally those that have placed their faith in God. Who are the people that face judgement? Those that abandon God, ignore God’s call, do evil, and choose things that God does not delight in (Isaiah 65:11-12).

In Jeremiah 18:5-11 we see that once again the potter clay picture represent the “House of Israel.” We note that clearly God is talking about nations. Also again we see God’s solution to the impending destruction to “Turn now, each from your evil way, and correct your ways and your deeds” Jeremiah 18:11).

One last stop in cross references about the potter clay picture. In 2 Timothy 2:20-21 “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” This does not have the potter, but it does have the “vessels.” First I do not believe that Paul is quoting this passage in Romans 9. I Just am pointing it out because it covers a similar motif and it also was written by Paul. I want to note that there are honorable and dishonorable vessels. The distinction though is made in that the honorable vessels have purified themselves “from anything dishonorable.”

So what can we conclude. As has been the case with the direct quotes from the Old Testament this potter/clay metaphor used in several passages in the Old Testament also deals with Israel as a nation. It is hard to escape the impression that Paul seems to be talking about Israel as a nation and not a doctrine of individual election in Romans 9.

We still have more passages to explore.

God Bless You

~BJ Olson